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!

Day 9 of Two Week Cooking Challenge

So tonight I made a delicious and probably extremely unhealthy dinner of Sausage Alfredo with veggies and a homemade Alfredo sauce. Pretty simple to make even if it is unhealthy and makes a great comfort food.

Ingredients:
1/2 pkg angel hair pasta or fettuccine noodles (I used dreamfields spaghetti pasta because it is a slightly healthier alternative for noodles)
1 small can of peas and carrots
1/2 pkg of frozen broccoli

1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
1 cup heavy cream or (1/3 cup melted butter 1 cup milk)
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup butter 
2-3 tbsp minced garlic
dash of dried parsley flakes

In small sauce pan melt 1/4 cup butter. Add cream (or melt 1/3 cup butter and add milk then add 1/4 cup butter). Add minced garlic and stir. Add parmesan cheese to mixture. It will become extremely thick so stir frequently to prevent burning. I like to add a little milk to mine to thin it out some after I add the parmesan. Add parsley and mozzarella. Stir until mozzarella is melted and blended well to mixture. Add milk as desired to thin mixture. Set aside.

While making sauce, begin boiling water. After making sauce, begin chopping sausage into slices. Add sausage to a pan and fry. Drain, return to pan and set aside.

Once water is boiling add noodles and broccoli. Let cook for several minutes. When it is almost done, add peas and carrots. Once noodles are done, drain and add to sausage. Mix well and top with alfredo sauce. Blend thoroughly. Top with tony's , salt and pepper if desired. Enjoy.

Day 8 of Two Week Cooking Challenge

Last night I made a delicious asian stir-fry served over white rice. Another extremely easy meal to toss together, loaded with flavor.

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts
1 pkg stir-fry veggies (I used a broccoli stir-fry that had mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, corn, and a bit of other things. Found it in the frozen isle at walmart. Your choice of veggies is up to you though.)
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp seasame oil
cayenne pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
salt
pepper
1/8-1/4 cup soy sauce

Cut up your chicken stir-fry style. Add olive oil to large pan and let it heat. Toss in your chicken and minced garlic. Add a dash of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and a light dash of cayenne pepper. Cook on med-high heat until chicken is no longer pink on the outside. Toss in pkg of veggies. Pour sesame oil and soy sauce over the top and mix well. Cover and let cook for several minutes or until desired vegetable tenderness. Stir occasionally. Serve over white rice (I use jasmine rice for my asian style meals). Enjoy. :)

Day 7 of Two Week Cooking Challenge

Today I got up super early and decided to make a breakfast dish instead of dinner. However, this dish can serve as, lunch and dinner as well. Bacon Breakfast Tacos! One of my favorite breakfast dishes.

Ingredients:
1 pkg Hash browns with onion and bell pepper in the mix
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup water
6 eggs
tony's
garlic powder
onion powder
1/2 pkg Turkey Bacon

In a large skillet, melt butter and add hash browns. Cook on med heat for about two mins, stirring constantly. Sprinkle tony's, garlic powder and onion powder over the top and mix well. Add water, stir, and over. Let cook for several minutes.
While cooking chop bacon into desired size and beat eggs together in small bowl.
Add bacon to mixture and recover.
After two mins, stir mixture and add eggs. At this point I usually alternate between stirring constantly for a few minutes and covering for about 30 seconds at a time. You will know when the mixture is done because the hash browns will be soft and all the egg will be cooked.
Serve on warmed tortillas (I like to do mine over an open flame ((gas stove)) for a better flavor) with half a slice of cheese in the middle. You can also add hot sauce or picante to the top for an extra kick.
Enjoy. :)