A little school snack...

Made a quick little snack for the kids when they came home from school....I take corn tortillas, cut then in fours, and fry them in a little vegetable oil, (you could use canola for a lighter taste). Pull them out when they are golden and drain them on paper towels. Now.....you know that taco seasoning packet I said "Do Not" use when your making taco/burritos.....take some of that seasoning in the packet and sprinkle just a tiny bit over the chips you just pulled out, you have to do it while they are right out of the oil, or it will  not stick....
Sometimes I make those chips and put them in the bottom of a bowl when I am making homemade chili, pour the chili over the chips, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and you got your self a bowl of rib stinking goodness....(notice I put stinking....get it, chili beans, stink hahaha)!! I will post the chili recipe at another time....back to the snack for the kids, they like them just as they are, or sprinkle with cheese and broil for a bit in the oven.
I know you think....why not just open a bag of tortilla chips....well, you could....but it wouldn't be made with love :o)

It doesn't always have to be from scratch...

Some of my most favorite meals, are the quick and easy ones! Tonight will be: ground beef seasoned with a little garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, paprika, and salt and pepper.....(why buy the packet seasoning when you can season on your own, and control the amount of sodium) brown it in a pan, drain off the fat, and you are good to go for burrito or taco filling. Heat up some refried beans, the best in the can are the La Costena brand (don't look at fat and sodium content, you will kill over!!) All though I usually like cooking my beans from scratch, it is nice to bust out the can opener and be done with it!! For rice, I love love love the Near East brand for Spanish rice, not over the top with seasoning, and the rice stays firm. I do make my salsa from scratch, and usually have some in my refrigerator at any given time...it's simple: 1 can of diced unseasoned tomato's, yellow onion, garlic clove, Jalapeno (I like the pickled out of the jar), cilantro, salt and pepper to taste.I am not giving quantity, because I think with salsa, you have to make it the way you like it.... I blend it all in a food processor, and then stick it in the fridge to marry.....yes I said it MARRY!! ha :o)

Dressing up some Ribeyes

I made the yummiest drizzle for some ribeye steaks the other night. It was so easy, and was good also drizzled over pasta!!
I had some fresh Basil growing, so I grabbed some leaves, along with a garlic clove, crushed it in the food processor, while pouring extra virgin olive oil in, and then finished it off with some lemon juice to brighten it up! Finish with with a little kosher salt, and black pepper...
That little sauce has  many options as far as what you could put it on.....would go nicely even on fish because of the added lemon juice!