And check out the updated Main Menu
SEND IN YOUR RECIPES!
oddtodd7@hotmail.com

-----------------------------------------------

OK....a couple of super simple, pretty cheap meals that my kids and husband would eat. Emphasis on cheap with the economy today.

Hamburger/Rice and Gravy (that is what the kids called it)

1 pound of burger
1 or two packages of brown gravy mix
1 cup rice (we always did white rice but it you want to healthy this up, go for brown rice)

Start by preparing your rice. If you have a rice cooker you know how to do it. If you need to cook it old school, put 2 cups of water for each cup of white rice in a sauce pan. Up to you and your dietary requirements but I like to add a little salt to the water and sometimes I will add a cube of butter, Bring the water to a boil and then add the rice. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Turn the temperature to low and let it cook for 20 minutes. DO NOT lift the lid. (my kids can tell you how loud I would yell when they tried to peek at the rice) After 20 minutes, fluff the rice (stir it) and check to make sure it is cooked to the tenderness you prefer.

While the rice is cooking, toss your burger into a frying pan and brown it. If you like onions or green peppers, toss some in and get them tender. When the burger is browned, drain any excess fat. Put the gravy mix in and add the amount of water suggested on the package (usually one cup per package). Stir...don't walk away...you want your gravy to mix up smoothly.
** Don't have any gravy mix? If you have some beef bullion, try making your own mix with bullion and flour or corn starch.

When all the stuff is done, put the rice on a plate, cover with the burger gravy. Add a salad or veggie (my kids used to love corn with this - but they didn't like onions or peppers in the gravy, lol).


Easy Tortilla Casserole

1 pound of burger
1 small onion, chopped finely
Package of corn tortillas (about 8 needed)
Can of tomato sauce (if you want it juicier, use two cans)
Shredded cheddar cheese (sharp is better but medium is fine)
Cumin (smoky flavored spice)
Chili powder (if you don't have cumin or chili powder but do have taco seasoning...use it...not quite as good but a decent substitute)
Salt/Pepper
Red or Cayenne pepper (optional)
Garlic powder (optional)

Pre heat your oven to about 350 degrees.

In a frying pan, brown the burger and onions. Drain the excess fat. Pour in the can of tomato sauce. Add the spices to taste. (What does that mean? If you like it spicy add more. I am big on taking a little taste to make sure it is a flavor you want) But start with a small palm full of cumin and chili powder, add salt and pepper to taste and any optional spices you want to kick it up. Let it cook on a slow simmer while you "fry" the tortillas.

I have crisped the tortillas in a frying pan (with or without oil) but I have also put them in this casserole "raw". It is better if they are crisped but it is fine if you don't want to mess around with it.

Spray or grease a casserole dish. Then layer the tortillas, beef mixture and cheese - repeat layers until your run out of ingredients but try to get several layers of each. End with a layer of cheese. Bake for about an hour or until everything is bubbly.

Finally, check out the Hillbilly Housewife website, not sure how I originally found it but there are some pretty interesting/funny things on the site. http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/recipeindex.htm I haven't tried to limit my food spending to $45 a week (her emergency menu) but she has recipes and a shopping list there that will put you in that range. I keep thinking I should try it but it does require you to do a lot of your own preparation and cooking. Enjoy.

Terri

-----------------------------------------------

Main Menu<<<<<<<<<

Previous Recipe<<<<<<<