Tamale Pie

I found this recipe in a magazine the other day, not sure what one though... but here is my adaption of Tamale Pie!

I used a can of kidney beans because that was what I had on hand. I felt it had the perfect amount of kick to it.

I didn't really taste the cheese, so I think it would be fine to omit next time. Or I'd put the cheese on as a layer between the cornbread and the meat instead of mixing it in.

As is, there was a lot of liquid in the meat so next time I would add in 1-3 tbsp of flour to the meat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. The addition of the flour will make a gravy.

Tamale Pie
serves 4

Jiff Corn Bread Mix (needs 1/3 cup milk + 1 egg)
1 lb ground turkey
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tbsp onion powder (or 1 medium onion)
1 1/2 tbsp Homemade Taco Seasoning
2 tsp cumin

1 cup cheese

1/2 cup salsa
1 med tomato or 1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can beans (pinto, black, kidney, etc), drained
1-3 tbsp of flour (depends on how much liquid is in the pan)
1/2 cup green peppers (optional)

Preheat oven to 400F.
Combine corn bread mix according to the package and put to the side.
Brown meat, add onions and garlic.
Add other spices and peppers, stir to combine.
Mix in the cheese, salsa, corn, beans, and tomatoes. Add in flour if the mixture is liquid-y, the liquid doesn't absorb when cooking.
Put in oven safe dish and spread the cornbread batter on top. Cook 15-20 minutes.

Spicy Taco Seasoning

I have been making this Taco Seasoning for a while and I'm surprised I haven't posted it yet! I make a double/triple batch at once so I'll always have some on hand for quick dinners. I like this because there are no weird ingredients and I can control the salt. I have adapted this from All Recipes. 

This has some kick so start with less (about 1/2 tbsp) and you can add more seasoning. I use about 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp per just over a pound of meat. 

Spicy Taco Seasoning

1 tbsp cayenne powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

Combine and store in an airtight container.

Chicken Fajita Stir Fry

This was a meal that was comprised of many leftovers plus some Trader Joe's taco seasoning. I was inspired by some left over peppers and chicken to make some sort of fajitas.

This was a fast meal to put together especially since the smaller the vegetables and chicken are sliced the faster the meal will cook up.

 

Chicken Fajita Stir Fry
makes 5 servings

1/2 Onion, diced
5 cloves Garlic, crushed in garlic press
1 sliced bell pepper (half red, half orange)
Chicken, approx 2 lbs, bite sized pieces/strips/etc
Handful of sliced baby carrots
Bottom inch of a bag of frozen corn
1/2 bag of baby Spinach

Tortillas/White Rice
The bottom 2 bags of Cheese
1 single serving packet of Guacamole

Salsa, to top the chicken mixture
Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning Packet

Heat large frying pan with some oil.
Saute onion and bell pepper about 2 minutes. Add chicken and the carrots.  Sprinkle with about 1/2 of taco seasoning packet.
When chicken is cooked through add in frozen corn and spinach. Once spinach is just about wilted take off the heat. Taste and add more of the seasoning packet until desired spiciness is reached.
To assemble take tortilla and add a dollop of guacamole, then put a scoop of the chicken mix on top. Add cheese and salsa on top. This mix is also good served on jasmine rice.

Tacos

Who doesn't love tacos? This recipe combines some spicy refried beans with the ground turkey. Tacos are a great really fast dinner to make, probably under 20 minutes. 

Sometimes I will make my own taco seasoning because it is fairly straight forward, but this time I used the Trader Joe's taco seasoning which has quite some kick to it! I used the Trader Joe's flour tortillas which once heated up for about 15-20 seconds in the microwave are quite easy to fold. We tried the Brown Rice tortillas and those don't fold very well for burritos or wrapping the tacos. They would be good for quesadilla though!

This heated up well as leftovers for lunch the next day too. 

Tacos
4 servings

1 package flour/rice/corn tortillas
1 lb Ground Turkey
Seasoning packet - Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning
1 can refried beans (see recipe below)
1 head lettuce
1 small can black olives
Salsa
Cheese
Guacamole
Sour Cream
etc

Heat skillet. Add ground turkey, cook until all the meat is browned. Add refried beans and taco seasoning packet (to taste). If it is too thick add in water, about 1/4 cup at a time. Slice up the lettuce and put the olives, salsa, and cheese into respective bowls. Assemble by taking tortilla or taco shell,  add meat and then your toppings!

Semi-Homemade Refried Beans 
Adapted from PinchMySalt 
 
1 Tbsp bacon drippings (or vegetable oil)
2 cloves of garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
Sprinkle some taco seasoning into the beans, or a tsp of chili powder
1 cans (15 oz) pinto beans

In a large skillet, heat bacon drippings over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for a minute or two. Add the drained beans smash them with the back of a wooden spoon. Keep stirring and mashing until the beans are the consistency of soft mashed potatoes. Taste and season with salt if needed.