Mexican Lasagna! My way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was out and about most of the day so I put this  meal  together very quickly. All in all it was prepared and ready to serve in about 1 hour or a little more. I had bought the beef and veggies when I went to the grocery store the other day and had sour cream I wanted to use before it expired and for some unknown reason I bought the tortilla's just in case so this is my own concoction (there's a word I haven't used in forever lol) and it is definitely a meal I would make again.  Please enjoy and I am happy to say Happy Cooking :).

1 lb. ground beef
2 T canola oil
1 small leek, sliced thin (you can use a small sweet onion)
1/2  of a green pepper,diced or 1 can chillies drained
2 T. Chili Powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. red pepper (optional if you like spicy)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 +can water( thin with a little more water if needed)
1 lb. light sour cream 
1 cup baby spinach(rinsed and patted dry)
1 to 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
lettuce (shredded or sliced thin)
1 tomato seeded, cut in small pieces
oil and vinegar or salad dressing of choice
Approx. 6 to 8 Tortilla cut in 3 


p.s. If you want to save some time you can probably use 1 pkg. of taco seasoning instead of the seasonings I have posted.  Just sayin :)

In a medium size deep pan on medium heat saute meat in canola oil.  Add onion and diced pepper. Cook until meat browns and pepper and onion are slightly tender.  Add chili powder, cumin, red pepper, garlic powder  and paprika.  Stir until all meat is coated with seasonings.  Add soup and 1 + can water. Cook until mixture starts to thicken slightly.(You want mixture to be thin enough so you will be able to have enough to layer sauce with tortilla's.

In a medium size baking dish(13x9) place some of above meat mixture .  Layer 1 tortilla (cut in three strips). Use more if pan is larger.

Place several dollops of sour cream and repeat tortilla, meat mixture, spinach, sour cream, tortilla, meat mixture, spinach, sour cream etc. until you end with the with the meat mixture. Top with sharp cheddar cheese and bake 350 degrees covered for approximate 20 minutes, remove cover and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Allow to set for 5 minutes (if possible) and cut in squares. 

Top with sliced and chopped lettuce and tomato with a splash of vinaigrette dressing if desired. 

Yummmmmmmy!

10/10/13

Is anyone seeing my blog posts?

Good Morning! 

As I sit looking out my window this beautiful Sunday morning I wonder if anyone is seeing my posts?

I seldom if ever get any comments on what I have baked or cooked.  I don't know if my settings are not set correctly or if just maybe you don't like or care to post a comment.

It seems over the last few months I am getting less and less views on my blog and it is disappointing to say the least and although I can say I love doing this blog I am a little discouraged.

I know there are so many blogs now on the internet and my posts are basic everyday food recipes that the everyday person would find easy to make as well as lots I like to try and I am proud to say are all are kitchen tested.

I may be a little down today so that is probably why I am writing this short but to the point post.

I work at being positive every single day and share that on my Facebook page with words of inspiration and positivity to help each of us start our day in a positive way.

Please either email me at mjkitchenjoy@gmail.com or comment I'd love to hear from you.My email address

Creamy Banana Cream cheesecake

 I have not been feeling well but figured I'd give myself a nudge and make this cheesecake because it has been on my to bake list for sometime.  I remembered the Cheesecake Factory Banana Cream Cheesecake and had hoped this would be similar.  Unfortunately it didn't come as high as I had hoped it would but it sure is creamy and with the taste of banana in it I think it would be a nice dessert choice and I made some whipped cream to top it.  Enjoy!

Here's the copycat recipe I adapted to our liking.

The crust:

Approximately 45 vanilla wafers crushed(I used my food processor)

1/4 cup softened or melted butter

Mix together with fork and Press mixture into the bottom of a 10 inch springform pan.  Place in refrigerator until you make the filling.

For the Filling:

24 oz. softened cream cheese
2/3 cup sugar
2 T cornstarch
3 eggs
3/4 cup mashed ripe banana
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese with mixer until creamy.  Add sugar and cornstarch followed by eggs one at a time. 
Beat in bananas, whipping cream and vanilla

Note: The batter is thin.

Pour mixture into crust.

Place pan on a cookie sheet(I placed parchment paper on the cookie sheet to catch any drippings).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees and bake an additional 75 minutes or until center is almost set.

Allow to cool completely before removing rim of pan.  Before removing the pan run warm water over a knife and slide  the knife around the edges to separate the cake from the pan.

Refrigerate cheesecake, uncovered at least 6 hours.

Rich and creamy and serves plenty depending of size of slice.  I added a chocolate candy and a drizzle for a garnish but it isn't necessary.

Whipped Cream topping:

1 pint heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectionary sugar

Beat until peaks form and either serve alongside the cheesecake or top the cheesecake with the whipped cream.

 Note:  I allowed my cheesecake to cool completely and then placed it in the refrigerator overnight.  I covered it with a piece of waxed paper and cut it as directed above the next day. 

I am sure you can do a lot for a pretty presentation of this cheesecake adding a few slices of bananas on top but unfortunately I was not feeling well when I made this cake so it was a bit of an effort to be creative. 

BLT salad! It is absolutely awesome!!!

  It felt like summer today so this BLT salad was on my mind! 

FYI:  Restaurants call it a wedge salad too!

I was out to a restaurant a few weeks ago and ordered this salad and l loved it so I decided to try to replicate it and I think I did pretty good so I'm sharing it with you!

Dressing:  Blue Cheese (and it's made from scratch)

1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. white pepper
dash black pepper
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup crumbled Blue Cheese

In a food processor put dry ingredients..then add Worcestershire sauce..add milk then sour cream and mayonnaise..add vinegar and blend..When blended add blue cheese crumbles..Refrigerate..the longer it sets the better the flavor will be..

The Salad Ingredients:   1 head Bibb Lettuce (washed) separated in sections,sliced large red tomato, sliced red onion, 4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled..

Layer Bibb lettuce, then tomato, onion and bacon..repeat..lettuce, tomato, onion and bacon..do that until you have at least 3 to 4 layers..then top with Blue Cheese dressing and bacon pieces..Oh so good!!!!! Here's the finished product.. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did..

Note*****Healthy option:  Use Balsamic vinegar as a healthy choice option.

Happy Summer!!!!
 

M.J

For those needing a quick meal.  I am sure you can use bacon bits and bottled Ranch, Blue Cheese, or Gorgonzola would also be wonderful.  Light version: Light on bacon bits and used reduced calorie dressing.

6/19/12 
4/12/14

Easy Broccoli Slaw

Memorial is upon us and if you're looking for a side dish that's healthy and tasty this one's for you.

I found this recipe in a People Magazine and tweaked it a bit to my liking and I can't wait for tonight to have it with burgers.  Easy and quick to make for a nice side dish. 

I like to refrigerate mine for a while before serving but I think you don't have to if you are in a hurry.

Enjoy!

I took an easy way out and photographed the recipe.

This is the original recipe.  I used pre packaged broccoli slaw mix to save time and it worked out fine.  As a precaution  I rinsed it well and drained and patted it with a paper towel to absorb some moisture.


Note:  I added 1/4 tsp. sugar and a slight bit more or the lime juice and olive oil.  I like it a little juicy and as it sets it will be perfect.