Meat and Potato Patties

I found this wonderful recipe for Beef and Potato Patties - Northern Irish Pasties over at Simple Living and Eating. Sounded like something everyone might like, so I pinned it.  I was wrong - everyone LOVED them!  The best thing is its easy to change up - use whatever ground meat you like. Use equal amounts ground meat and potatoes and then just adjust the remaining ingredients accordingly. After a few changes this is what I came up with:

1.5 lbs russet potatoes
water
salt
1 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 lb ground venison sausage
5 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp each salt and black pepper or to taste
3/4 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp coriander
dash of nutmeg
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 Tbsp dried parsley
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 to 1 cup panko bread crumbs
canola oil

Peel and quarter potatoes. Place in pot.

Cover with water, add salt and bring to boil over high heat. Boil for about 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are done. Drain water and mash the potatoes. Set aside to cool.

In small bowl mix together worcestershire, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander and nutmeg. Set aside. In large bowl break up ground meat. If using more than one kind of meat mix them together, then break up.

Pour sauce over the meat.

Mix the onion and parsley in with the potatoes. Add the potato mix to the meat and combine. Divide into eight somewhat equal patties.

Dip in egg then bread crumbs. Heat small amount of oil in large skillet. Add the breaded patties and cook until well browned on both sides.

Serve and enjoy!!

Simple Lasagna

This is an easy breezy lasagna that is super simple and that everyone will love. It has been so long since I first made this that I don't remember where I found it, tried doing a search but no luck.If you've seen this recipe somewhere else, let me know, I like to give credit where credit is due. In the meantime, enjoy some lasagna!

1 lb lean ground beef (93% lean)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2.5 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1.5 cups nonfat cottage cheese
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1-2 cups shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
9 barilla oven ready lasagna noodles
2 Tbsp shredded parmesan

Preheat oven to 350, 325 for rv ovens or convection ovens. Cook ground beef with the garlic until meat is done. Pour one cup of the spaghetti sauce into a two quart rectangular dish. Stir remaining sauce into meat and heat over med-hi until hot. In small bowl mix together cottage cheese with Italian seasoning.

Place three uncooked noodles in dish on top of sauce. Spread 1/3 of meat mix on top of noodles. Spread 1/2 of cottage cheese mix on top of the meat mix. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of cottage cheese. Add another layer of noodles, 1/3 of meat mix, remaining cottage cheese mix and 1/2 cup of mozzarella.

For the final layer add the remaining three noodles, remaining meat mix, 1/2 to one cup of mozzarella and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for one hour. Remove from oven and let sit, still covered with the foil, for 15 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Smoked Hamburger Jerky

This was my first attempt at making jerky. So far it has been the only attempt. I would love to make more, it just seems I don't think of it at the right time. Not a lot of hands-on time but a lot of overall time is involved. The hamburger jerky was ok but think I would prefer round steak or venison next time. I found this recipe in the book Dehydrated and Delicious. So many recipes in this book I would love to try! Need to get busy with it! For now, back to the one I have tried:

1/2 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp allspice
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
2 lbs hamburger, leanest possible

Mix all ingredients except hamburger in a large bowl.

Add the hamburger and knead thoroughly.

Cover tightly and let marinate in fridge for six to 12 hours. Pat hamburger into approx 1/4 lb patties and press between two sheets of wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll out the hamburger to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into strips about one inch wide using a sharp knife.

Place in dehydrator until dry. While meat is drying, blot excess oil with paper towel. This takes anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Once dried store in cool, dark place. Enjoy!

Simple Slow Cooked Taco Soup

I pinned this recipe over a year ago from A Year of Slow Cooking. It makes quite a bit, so I had put off making it when we were just two. It was sooo yummy and simple! Ready for another pot!

2 16 oz cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 15 oz cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 14.75 oz can cream style corn, no salt added, undrained
1 15.25 oz can whole kernel corn, no salt added, undrained
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 10 oz can tomatoes and green chilies, mild, undrained
1 1.5 oz packet taco seasoning, low sodium
1 .4 oz packet ranch dressing mix
1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
shredded cheese and avocado slices for topping

Gather ingredients.

Brown meat and drain off fat. Place in slow cooker. Top with both seasoning packets. Pour in beans, corn and tomatoes.

Stir. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (high 4 to 5 hours). Serve topped with cheese and avocado.

Enjoy!

Meatloaf for People Who Don't Like Meatloaf

Neither my husband nor I are fans of meatloaf but this recipe for Cowboy Meatloaf from Chewin' the Fat in the Kitchen is AWESOME!! We LOVE it!!! I no longer have Mamie around to make this for me so I finally had to break down and make it for myself. It is super yummy and unlike any meatloaf I have ever tried before.

1 lb lean ground beef  (93/7)
1 lb not so lean ground beef (80/20)
1/2 lb ground pork sausage
12 oz thick sliced bacon
1 sleeve of saltine crackers from a standard box
1 large egg or 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
1 cup ketchup (more or less)
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp coarse ground black pepper +
1 tsp cajun seasoning
1/2 of a medium onion, chopped
BBQ sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl mix together ground beef, pork sausage, crackers, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, cajun seasoning and onion, combine well.

Add ketchup and mix in using additional ketchup if needed, you want the mixture to be moist but not soggy.

Set aside.  Take the bacon and on kitchen counter, cookie sheet or other flat surface weave the bacon. I found the easiest way to do this was to lay out half the slices one direction, then weave in the remaining half starting at the middle and working out.

Sprinkle the bacon with coarse black pepper. Brush with BBQ sauce.

Take the beef mixture and shape into a large ball and place in the middle of the bacon. Wrap the weaved bacon around the beef mixture. (Mine didn't wrap quite all the way around, I just put the uncovered portion to the bottom.) Place the bacon wrapped meatloaf in baking dish.

Bake for 30 minutes. Using turkey baster remove juices from meatloaf and set aside. Continue baking meatloaf checking every 15 minutes and removing the excess juices until meatloaf reaches and internal temperature of 165 to 170, this should take about one hour to one and a half hours. You will use 1/4 cup of the reserved juices to make your gravy, I will share that recipe next week.

Once meatloaf has reached the necessary internal temperature and the bacon blanket is nice and crispy, serve and enjoy! Tip: I put mine under the broiler for a few minutes to get the bacon extra crispy.

Shared with:

See Ya In The Gumbo - Ms. EnPlace

Thursday Favorite Things - Katherine's Corner

Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends - My Turn For Us

Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends - Love Bakes Good Cakes

Beef and Bean Taco Casserole

I pinned this recipe a few months ago from Recipe.com and finally made it about one month ago. It is very tasty, simple and easily adjusted to suit your family's taste.

1 lb lean ground beef
16 oz can refried beans
16 oz jar salsa
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp salt
dash of black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 1/2 cups coarsely broken tortilla chips
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 1/2 cups chopped tomato
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
cilantro
chopped pepper, either serrano or jalapeno

Brown ground beef in skillet, draining grease if necessary. Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper and water. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Simmer beef mixture for about five minutes.

Add the beans and salsa and mix well. Remove from heat. In casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray layer two cups of the tortilla chips, beef mixture. chopped pepper, one cup of the chopped tomato, green onions, cheese and cilantro.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Top with remaining tortilla chips and tomato as well as whatever other taco toppings you like. Serve and enjoy!

Texas Rice

I had started out to make a skillet version of Hot Rice Casserole. Only to realize that I was out of plain rice. All I had was a box of Texas rice. Similar to rice-a-roni, it has rice and a seasoning packet and comes in a variety of flavors. In this recipe I used a flavor call Texzest. The spices being a blend of brown sugar, cumin, chile peppers and other seasonings. We really liked it and will be having this again soon!

1/2 lb ground turkey or lean ground beef
1 serrano pepper, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter
11 oz box Texas rice, texzest flavor
2 1/2 cups water
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheese
2 Tbsp cilantro

In a large skillet cook the ground turkey and serrano pepper over med-high heat. Stir in salt. Add butter. When butter is melted, stir in the rice.

When rice begins to brown add the water and the seasoning packet from the rice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for about 15 minutes. Stir in sour cream, top with shredded cheese, cover and heat until cheese is melted.

Top with the cilantro.

Serve and enjoy!

Beef Tacos

We love Mexican food and tacos are always an easy, fast choice. I believe this is my favorite recipe for beef tacos so far. Inspired by the wonderful flavor of these Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes, I used the same seasonings to make my tacos. They turned out great!

1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 jalapenos, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp sea salt
dash of red pepper
dash of black pepper
1/4 cup water
taco shells
suggested toppings: avocado slices, pico de gallo, sour cream, shredded cheese

In large skillet brown ground beef, onion, jalapenos and garlic.

When ground beef is done stir in seasonings and water.

Simmer for five to seven minutes. Serve on taco shells and top with your favorite toppings.

Enjoy!

Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes

I have found the absolute PERFECT sloppy joes! I pinned this recipe for Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes a couple of months back at Kitchen Meets Girl. I didn't change anything in the actual recipe (and won't!), although my toppings are slightly different. We have had this twice. The first time on buns topped with corn chips, pico de gallo and avocado slices.

Then we enjoyed the leftovers as open-faced sandwiches topped with corn chips, pico de gallo and sour cream.

Both were soooo yummy!! I can hardly wait to make this again!!

4 slices bacon, chopped
1 lb lean ground beef (93/7)
1 onion, chopped (about one cup)
2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 cup beef broth
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp hot sauce (Louisiana)
optional: corn chips, pico de gallo, avocado slices and sour cream

In large skillet cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and drain off remaining grease from pan. In the same skillet brown the ground beef over med-hi heat. Then add the bacon, onion, jalapeno, garlic, chili powder, cumin and coriander.

Continue cooking for about five minutes or until onion is tender.

Meanwhile in medium bowl mix together the broth, tomato sauce, brown sugar, worcestershire, vinegar and hot sauce. Once onions are tender, stir the broth mixture into the beef mixture.

Simmer until the liquid reduces to your desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes should do unless you want it very dry and not at all sloppy. Serve with desired toppings and enjoy!

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Southwestern Crusted Shepherds Pie

I found a recipe for Mesquite Crusted Shepherds Pie at the kraft website. The store I was shopping at did not carry the Fresh Take Smokey Mesquite BBQ Cheese and Breadcrumb mix, so I substituted Fresh Takes Southwestern Three Cheese Cheese and Breadcrumb mixture.

I also only prepared half the recipe and added mushrooms. It turned out yummy!

3/4 lb lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped mushroom
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup frozen corn
4 oz tomato sauce
1/2  6 oz pkg of fresh take southwestern three cheese mixture, mixed together (1 cup), divided
2 cups mashed potatoes

Brown meat with onions, garlic and mushrooms, draining if necessary.

Remove from heat and preheat oven to 375 degrees, 350 for RV ovens. Stir in corn, tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of breadcrumb/cheese mixture.

Pour beef mixture into bottom of 7"x11" casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumb/cheese mixture.

Heat in oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve and enjoy!

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