Shepherds Pie with Bacon Cheddar Chipotle Mashed Potatoes

This was so surprisingly good and easy to make! Doesn't take long to toss together and let it bake in the oven.


Preheat oven to 350 F.

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 chopped onion
about 3 tbsp of brown gravy or 1 pkt brown gravy
1 small can peas and carrots
2 packages bacon cheddar chipotle mashed potatoes
1 can cream corn

Make mashed potatoes according to package directions and set aside. Then brown the turkey with the onion. You can season the meat how you like it. I usually do a little Tony's seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. While that is cooking add in the brown gravy at small amounts at a time and add water as needed to make it gravy-like. Note: The gravy doesn't have to be thick, just enough to bring in extra flavor. When this is done, transfer it to a 9x13 square baking dish or large round pie pan. Then add the corn and the carrots and pea mixture on top of that. Top with the potatoes and bake for 30-45 mins. Top with green onions if desired.

BLTs the Taylor Way

So the original plan was to just make some simple BLTs but I got really creative and these came out so good!

You'll need

Sliced muenster cheese
Sliced Kraft American Cheese
Thick slices Cajun Turkey Breast (found in Walmart Deli)
Center cut Bacon
Package spinach and kale mix
Minced Garlic
Roma Tomatoes
Any kind of bread you prefer

Start with frying up the bacon. When that is done leave the bacon grease in the pan and use it for lightly frying your turkey breast slices in it. Then use the rest for following this recipe for the spinach and kale mix (I left out the lemon and used the bacon grease instead of olive oil): http://barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=149&S=0

When the spinach and kale is cooking, start toasting your bread. Add a slice of Muenster cheese, then some bacon and then tomatoes. When the spinach and kale mix is done add that. Then add a slice of the turkey on top followed by the kraft cheese.

Enjoy.

Crock Pot Carnitas Tacos

So I made this recipe last night and it is just spot on with authentic tacos (street tacos) minus the meat being shredded instead of chopped.

You'll need 2 lbs Stew Meat
1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
1/2-1 whole onion chopped
1 bell pepper seeded and chopped

chili powder 
cumin
onion powder
garlic powder
cayenne pepper (optional)
salt
pepper

***Note: I do not measure my seasonings so this could be a trial and error if you aren't used to cooking this way. A good way to start is with a few quick dashes of the seasonings that come out faster from the containers and spend a few extra shakes on the items that don't come out as easy like the cumin.***

Put the uncooked stew meat into a bag and season it with the seasonings by shaking them over the meat and then closing and shaking the bag. If you are making this the night before the morning you put it in the crock pot you can just toss the onions, bell pepper and jalapeno on top of the meat in the bag. Refrigerate overnight and dump in the crock pot in the morning. If you aren't refrigerating it overnight just toss it all in the pot when you are ready. Cook on low for up to 10 hours.

I added in 1/4 cup of water just to make sure it wasn't going to dry out or anything. Made plenty of juices with that and it's own. 

I'm Way Behind

So as we can see I never finished blogging about my two week cooking challenge, but I am back and haven't stopped cooking! Soon I will be posting up new recipes so be on the look out and enjoy!