Beef Chili

I don't normally follow a recipe for this chili.  Here is basically what I do most of the time. You really cannot mess this up.

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 to 1 lb. hamburger
• 2 cans pinto beans
• 1 large Hanover can kidney beans or 2 small cans
• 1 can black beans
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 2 cans diced tomatoes (for spicy chili replace 1 can with a can of tomatoes with green chilis)
• 1 can corn
• 1 packet chili seasoning (I usually buy mild) OR 1 Tbsp chili powder + 2 tsp cumin (this option isn't mild)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:

1. Cook the hamburger with the onion, salt, pepper & garlic until browned. Drain.
2. Dump into crock pot.  Add all other ingredients. Stir.
3. If freezing- Cook on Low 1 hr.  Cool. Prepare freezer bags.  Freeze flat in freezer bags.
4. Thaw overnight in fridge and cook on Low about 4 hrs.
5. If not freezing cook on Low 4-6 hrs. after step 2
6. Top with cheese, chips or whatever you like.

 

Santa Fe Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. raw chicken or 1 large can of chicken
2 cans black beans, rinsed
24 oz. jar salsa, or make your own
1 c. taco sauce
8 corn tortillas
1 c. sour cream
2 c. colby jack shredded cheese

Directions:
1. Saute onion, garlic in oil and add raw chicken.  Cook until chicken is white. (If using canned chicken just add after onion is soft)  Cool if freeezing.
2. Add beans and salsa to chicken mixture.  Stir and set aside.
3. In a large baking dish, pour taco sauce spread on the bottom, line with 4 tortillas.
4. Top tortillas with half the chicken/bean mixture.  Layer with 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 cup cheese.
5. Repeat step 4.
6. Cover with foil.  Bake now or Freeze for later.
7. Bake @ 350 for 25-35 mins covered, plus 5-10 minutes uncovered to melt cheese. OR if cooking from freezer- thaw in fridge several hrs. and bake@ 350 covered 45-60 minutes and 10-20 mins uncovered to melt the cheese.  Allow for longer baking time if more frozen.  (When I made this as a freezer meal I thawed mine too long and it got mushy when baked, but still tasted yummy.)

Orange Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 cups carrots, chopped how you like
• 2 cups bell peppers (I used a mix of green, red, and yellow)
• 1-2 lb raw chicken breasts
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 8 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate

Instructions

1. Label freezer bags.
2. Combine all ingredients into bag.  Seal and freeze flat.
3. Thaw overnight in fridge.  Cook in crock pot on low 4-6 hrs.
4. Serve over rice.  Enjoy!

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped (I used 3/4 Tbsp dried basil + 2 tsp. dried oregano)
• 2 cups marinara/pasta sauce 
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 3.5 oz. garlic croutons, roughly crushed (I used the Olive Garden ones from Sam's Club)

Directions:

1. Spread the cubed chicken across the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish in a single layer (I made a layer of 1/2 lb spaghetti & extra sauce and so I precooked the chicken most of the way in a skillet before placing it on my spaghetti layer).
2. Sprinkle with garlic, red pepper flakes, and basil evenly over the chicken.
3. Spread with 2 cups pasta sauce and sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan cheese evenly.
4. Sprinkle the crushed croutons across the top and follow with the remaining cheese.
5. Cover & Freeze.
6. Bake at 350 degrees thawed for 45 minutes covered plus 5-15 min uncovered, or from frozen for 1 hr. 15min covered plus 10-20 uncovered. Makes at least 8 servings.

Garlic Honey Chicken/Pork

1.5 to 2 lbs raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts/ any pork chops
5 garlic cloves, minced 
2/3 cup soy sauce
1 1/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup honey

~Add all ingredients to a gallon freezer bag. Freeze.
~Thaw overnight in fridge.  Cook in the crock pot on high 3-4 hrs. or low 5-6 hrs.  
~Serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite veggie.