Frito Chili Pie

 This recipe is a nice change of pace especially on a cold winter's night. You can change it up and make it your own.  Add lots of extras can be added on top.

I didn't have tomatoes or lettuce but that can be added on top.

Next time I think I will use the big Fritos instead of the small ones.  I think it will be easier to eat. 

First thing to do is chop an onion and saute it in a skillet with a little olive oil.  

While that is cooking mix up your seasonings.  2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon sugar.  Set aside. 

Add the ground beef to the onions and cook.  When brown drain the grease off. 

I'm sure I have commented on how I don't like tomatoes.  I don't mind cooking with them but I don't want big pieces.  This is one can of Rotel tomatoes.  I put it in the food processor and pureed it. Add it to the ground beef. 

Add one can undrained kidney beans. 

Now add the seasonings you mixed up.

Add 1 5.5 oz can tomato paste.

Mix all that up.  Turn heat down to medium low and simmer for about 20 minutes or so.  

It has thickened up and is ready to eat.  

Place some Fritos on a plate.

Add some of the meat mixture on top. 

Add some cheese.  If you want tomatoes, lettuce and sour cream that would be good too. 

Frito Chili Pie Recipe

1 lb ground beef

1 onion chopped

1 clove garlic minced

1 14 oz can kidney beans undrained

1 5.5 oz can tomato paste

1 10 oz can rotel

2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 bag Fritos chips

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Winter Spice Cranberry Cake

 I found this recipe and I just had to try it.  I love recipes with fresh cranberries.  This adds some warm spices that makes it perfect. This is a light cake that would be good for breakfast.  You could dress it up a little with some sprinkled powdered sugar. 

Look at all those beautiful cranberries. 

Cranberries and orange are a winning combination.

Start with 1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon cardamon

3 eggs

This is a little different from other recipes.  You mix the sugars with the eggs and spices first.  It smells so good. 

It's mixed well and you can see the spices. 

Now add 3/4 cup softened butter. 

1 teaspoon vanilla

Zest a medium orange

Add that to the batter too.  Mix that well. 

Now add 2 cups all purpose flour.

You will want to hand mix the flour until just mixed. 

You want all the flour to be incorporated.  

Now add 12 oz fresh cranberries.  Before I started the recipe I looked and washed the cranberries.  The bag of cranberries is 12 oz.  You will want to take out any soft or mushy cranberries. 

Mix those in by hand too.  

Now spread out into a 9x13 baking dish you spray with nonstick spray.  Then place in a preheated 350 oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. 

You want it to come out lightly brown.  Doesn't that look so good.  I make another cranberry cake but it doesn't not have the spices and I think I like this one best. 

Winter Spice Cranberry Cake Recipe

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup softened butter

1 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon cardamon

12 oz fresh cranberries

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake 45-50 minutes. 

Easy Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

 I have to share this recipe with you.  I will admit that this recipe shouldn't work.  The ingredients don't sound like they go together but trust me they do.  If you need to take a dish to a pot luck or you are making a meal for a group this is a great vegetable side to try.  Everyone loves it and it can be made ahead of time and baked day of. 

Look at all that nice bacon on top. 

This recipe calls for 5 regular cans of green beans or one large Sam's/Costco size can.

First thing to do is to cook your bacon.  I like cooking mine in the oven.  It cooks very evenly and you don't get splatter everywhere.  I lay the bacon on a foil lined baking sheet.  This is the foil that is nonstick.  I place in a cold oven and turn the oven on 375.  When my oven beeps that it has reached temperature I check it and depending of the thickness of the slices determines how long I cook it.  I will start with 4 or 5 minutes.  The thing about using it in this recipe is that you might not want it as crispy as you might if you were eating it from the oven.  It will bake some more on the beans. 

Drain your beans and spread out in a 9x13 baking dish. 

Melt 1/4 cup butter.  You will mix the following ingredients in a bowl.  I used the measuring cup I melted the butter. 

Add 2/3 cup brown sugar

Add 1/4 cup soy sauce.  I use low sodium.  

Recipe calls for 2 teaspoons minced garlic.  Put as much or as little as you like. 

Mix all that together.  I told you it was different. 

Pour the mixture over the green beans. 

The beans won't be swimming in the sauce but there is enough. 

The bacon is draining from the oven. See I didn't let it get too crispy. 

I chop mine up.  I know others lay the strips across the beans. Whatever you like. 

Sprinkle it across the top. 

Now you can cover and put in the fridge to bake later or you can place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for 40 minutes. 

Don't those look good?  I promise you they are delicious and you know I would not steer you wrong.  Delicious and easy it doesn't get any better than that.

Easy Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

5 cans or 1 large can green beans

10-12 slices bacon

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 teaspoons minced garlic

Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 40 minutes.