Fajitas

I've tried a lot of fajita recipes, and probably have several posted on this blog.  But this is the recipe I keep going back to.  I guess it's my favorite.

Our Best Bites Fajitas

Broccoli Beef

This is another good recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.  I used whatever cheap steak (petite sirloin?) I had, and sprinkled it with cornstarch before I cooked it.  I just steamed the broccoli with water and added it later.  Adam liked it, and said it was great for leftovers.  (Which makes it a keeper!)

Mel's Kitchen Cafe Broccoli Beef

Fajita Seasoning

Combine the following ingredients and store in an airtight container:
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp cumin
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp chili powder
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp chicken bouillon

To make Fajitas:
Heat 1 TB oil in large skillet.
Add 1 pound chicken or beef & cook through.  Drain.
Add 1/2 cup water & 2-3 TB seasoning and stir well.
Add 1 sliced bell pepper, and 1 sliced onion.
Cook 2-3 minutes.

Broccoli Beef

adapted from A Year of Slow Cooking

1 lb thin beef

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 T apple juice

2 T apple cider vinegar

1 T brown sugar

2 tsp sesame oil

2 cloves smashed and chopped garlic

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

dash of ginger

broccoli

--add the liquid to the crockpot

--chop up your garlic, add to mixture

--stir in spices

--slice meat into thin strips

--toss in the liquid and spice mixture to coat thoroughly

--cook on low for 6-8 hours, depending on the cut of meat. Thicker pieces will take longer to tenderize.  (Mine only took a few hours).

--an hour before serving, add entire bag of broccoli, cover and cook on high for another hour or so.  (I used fresh broccoli, and steamed it separately instead of adding it to the crockpot).

--stir gingerly to coat broccoli

serve over steamed rice.

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes (with juices)
1 can black beans
2 cups frozen corn
1 can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 package taco seasoning

Brown beef and onions in skillet.  Drain.  (I usually use leftover taco meat from a previous dinner instead).  Combine all ingredients in crock-pot.  Cover.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.  This makes too much for my family, so I freeze the leftovers.

Beef Fajitas

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp pepper

3/4 pound beef steak, cut into thin strips

onions

peppers

Combine oil, lemon juice, garlic, chili powder, and pepper. Place half mixture in ziploc bag. Cover and refrigerate other half. Add meat to bag. Seal and turn to coat. Marinate in the fridge for 4-8 hours.

Drain and discard marinade. In a skillet, heat reserved marinade. Add onions and peppers, and cook for a few minutes. Add meat, and cook until done. Serve in tortillas with desired fajita toppings.

Cheese Steak Sandwiches

This is another new summer favorite. It's fast, easy, and delicious!

Steak (I use cheap petite sirloin) cut into thin slices

Cheese (I love provolone, but I usually use mozzarella)

Soy Sauce

Oil

Onions

Peppers

Garlic Powder

Hoagie rolls

Marinade steak in soy sauce for about an hour. Heat oil in skillet. Cook onions, peppers, and garlic powder in skillet until veggies are not quite done. Add steak and continue to cook until meat is done and veggies are tender.  Broil sliced rolls until just toasted. Put meat mixture on roll, place cheese on top. Return to oven until cheese melts.

Fajitas

Sliced Meat (I have used boneless pork ribs, beef steak, and chicken)

Bell peppers, sliced

Onion, sliced

Olive Oil

Mr. Yoshida's Original Gourmet Sweet & Savory Sauce (I bought it at Costco)

Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add everything else. Saute until meat is cooked, and onions and peppers are tender. Serve in tortillas.

Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff
Fast and Easy! This is what we make when we are in a hurry, and don't have many ingredients. It's Adam's specialty.

Brown 1 lb ground beef. Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and some sour cream. (I don't know how much, but it's hard to mess up). Serve on top of cooked egg noodles.

Non Sloppy Joes

OK, this isn't really a recipe, but Dakota loves them. They are the only meat besides chicken nuggets he will eat. (They're honestly not my favorite, but Dakota eats them and they're easy).

1 pound ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
BBQ sauce
1 batch biscuit dough

Brown 1 pound hamburger. Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup. Add BBQ sauce to taste. While browning hamburger, make biscuit dough and line muffin tins with it. Put hamburger mixture in biscuit dough and bake at 400* for 10 minutes, or until brown.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes

Brown Together:
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion

Add:
½ cup ketchup
2 TB brown sugar
2 TB mustard
1 TB Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp sage

Combine and simmer for 15 minutes.

Lasagna

Lasagna

½ c chopped onion
2 (10 ½ oz) cans condensed tomato soup
3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
Seasonings
1 ½ pounds ground beef
1 box lasagna noodles
1 pound jack or mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add all other ingredients except cheese and noodles. Cook about 20 minutes. While meat sauce is cooking, boil noodles until done. Put in layers as follows: sauce, noodles, and cheese. Repeat. End with a layer of sauce. Bake one hour at 350.*

Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf

1 ½ lb ground beef
¾ cup oatmeal
¼ cup chopped onion
1 ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 cup tomato juice or salsa
1 egg, beaten

Mix all together. Bake at 350* for 1 hour.