Homemade Salsa

Homemade Salsa

Most of this is just to your own taste so actual measurements on the items are not listed. But the basic layout is as follows... 

 Approx 4-5 firm tomatoes 

approx 1/4 - 1/2 of a white onion 

1 clove of garlic (you need a med size one or just use less than a whole one) 

some cilantro leaves 

salt 

optional: jalapeno pepper 

optional: lemon juice or lime juice 

 Cut your tomatoes into chunks and add to a bowl. Dice your onion to your preferred size... add to the bowl Chop your garlic clove as fine as you can chop it... add to the bowl tear off some cilantro leaves... I usually use about 14 leaves (the entire leaf not just part of it) ... add to the bowl add some salt to taste optional - jalapeno peppers (if you don't want it to be hot... don't put the seeds of the pepper into the salsa... just use the meat of the pepper.)... (if you opt for lemon juice or lime juice add it now too... just a little...) put it in the fridge and let it sit overnight .... serve it with nachos, tacos or any other Mexican dish and don't forget the sour cream! YUMMY! This can stay in the fridge for approx 5-7 days.

Homemade Chili (great for hotdogs)

1lb hamburger meat 

ketchup 

chili powder 

pepper 

garlic powder 

onion powder 

water 

 Brown and drain hamburger meat. Add ketchup (approx 3-4 cups) add approx 1-2 cups of water. Add a few shakes of the following... garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and chili powder. Stir and simmer on low for at least 15 minutes.

Easy Rice and Hamburger

This is another of my kiddos favs. 

 1lb hamburger meat 

4 - 6 servings of rice 

1 can tomato soup 

 Ok on these ingredients below I don't measure them so I am giving you an approx amount here. I just do it to taste the way I want. 

The brown sugar is going to offset the vinegar... the vinegar is needed to give it a little bit of a tangy kick. The ketchup... If you still have rice that is white... add more ketchup. 

 approx 1-2 cups of ketchup 

 approx 1/4 - 3/4 cup of brown sugar 

approx 4 tbsp of white vinegar 

dash of salt and pepper 

 Brown hamburger meat and drain. Cook rice. Combine hamburger meat, rice, tomato soup, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, salt and peper into one pot. Mix well and let simmer on low for about 15 minutes while stirring occasionally.

Cheeseburger Casserole

My kids love this one and I like it myself. Definitely an easy meal to toss together without having to stand in the kitchen forever. 

 1 pound Hamburger Meat 1

 bag of tater tots 

1 pkg of shredded colby and monteray jack cheese (you can use a different cheese) 

ketchup 

mustard 

 Brown hamburger meat and drain. Stir in ketchup and mustard to taste. (you will use more ketchup than mustard. The mustard is just to give it a little kick) Once it has been mixed well and suits your taste. Pour mixed hamburger into a large casserole dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the meat mixture. Top with tater tots in a single layer to cover the entire top of the dish. Bake at 400 for 25-35 minutes until tater tots are cooked. Let cool for 5 minutes then serve!

Beef Nacho Casserole

Although this may sound pretty wierd it is really good. This is actually the only way I can get my son to eat corn. He will eat it in this all day long but he won't touch it otherwise.

Beef Nacho Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1 c. Birds Eye sweet corn, thawed & drained (can use canned corn also)
2 c. crushed tortilla chips, divided
2 c. Kraft Monterey Jack cheese (shredded & divided) - can use Colby & Monterey Jack also
1 jar (12 oz.) chunky salsa
3/4 c. Miracle Whip Mayo ***
1 tbsp. chili powder

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brown meat; drain.
Stir in salsa, corn, dressing and chili powder.
Layer 1/2 each of meat mixture, chips and cheese
in 2 quart casserole. Repeat layers.
Bake 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Top with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes if desired.
Makes 6 servings.


*** We are die hard Duke's mayo  in this family but I do buy Miracle Whip Mayo just for this recipe. I tried using Duke's for it in a pinch one time and it was not the same. So just grab a jar of Miracle whip***