Potato Soup

About 6 very large potatoes
1 can evaporated milk
1 cube butter
About 6 oz. Velveeta
1 c. potato flakes
Onion (I use granulated onion because I don't like the texture of the onions, but like the flavor)
Grated cheddar cheese (optional)


*Peel potatoes and cut into bite size chunks, boil
*When potatoes are tender reduce heat and add evaporated milk, butter, and Velveeta, along with onion (to your preference), heat on low until butter and Velveeta are melted
*Add potato flakes
*Serve topped with grated cheddar and saltine crackers

SOURCE: Mom

TATER TOT CASSEROLE

1 bag tater tots

1 family size can of Cream of Mushroom soup

1.5 pounds ground beef

Cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375. Fry hamburger. In 9 x 13 (I like to use Pyrex) pan, combine tater tots, soup, and hamburger. Top with shredded cheese. Bake until hot all the way through. Fast and easy. My kids like to top with ketchup.

Homestyle Spanish Rice

2-3 Tbs. Vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. Uncooked long-grain rice
3 c. Water
About 4 oz. Tomato sauce
About 1/4 tsp. Ground Cumin
Season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic salt

*Heat oil (medium to high heat) in medium skillet
*Add dry rice and stir/toss constantly until the rice looks white
*Add spices and tomato sauce and mix well
*Pour water over rice and reduce heat
*Leave rice (unstirred) to simmer until done (about 20 mins)


TIPS:
*Be sure to have water ready before beginning to cook rice, once it is hot, it will continue heating very quickly and can easily burn.

"Gringo" Chicken Enchiladas

About 25 Boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders
2 2.25 oz. cans sliced black olives
26 oz. Cream of Chicken soup
2-3 c. Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
2-3 c. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
16 oz. Sour Cream
18-20 Flour medium tortillas

*Boil chicken tenders, drain, and shred
*Combine shredded chicken, olives, soup, sour cream, and about 1/2 of the cheeses
*Generously fill tortillas with chicken mixture and arrange in 9x13 Pyrex or glass casserole pan (about 12 filled tortillas will fit into this pan)
*Top with remaining cheese
*Cook in microwave on high for about 20 minutes (turning after 10 mins), or in oven, covered, at 350 until hot through

Since about 12 filled tortillas will fit into the the 9x13 pan, there will be additional tortillas and filling. You can either put remaining tortillas into an 8x8 Pyrex and cook, or place filled, uncooked enchiladas in the freezer. Then when a quick fix is needed for a hubby who has come home late, or for lunch, just top with shredded cheddar and pop in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (until hot).


SOURCE: Mary Wood

Easy Homestyle Refried Beans

2 or 3 slices of bacon, cut into about 1 inch pieces
2 15 oz. cans Sun Vista Pinto Beans (drained)
Salt, Pepper, Garlic salt to taste

*In a medium to large skillet, cook bacon until crispy
*Add drained beans
*Mash with potato masher to desired consistency
*Season to taste

Makes: About 6 small servings of beans

Stack Dinners

This is a favorite of my family and is quick, easy, and delicious!
This recipe will feed a family of 6 quite easily.

1 head lettuce (iceberg is best for this dish)
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 15 oz. cans of tomato juice
3 c. uncooked long grain rice (when cooked will be approximately 6 cups)
3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Fritos corn chips

*Brown ground beef and season to taste (salt, pepper, and garlic salt), add both cans of tomato sauce to ground beef, along with 1 can of water to create a thin sauce.
*Cook rice - Stove top: 3 c. rice, 6 c. water, salt, 1 Tbs. butter; simmer until done - Microwave: 3 c. rice, 6 c. water, salt, 1 Tbs. butter; cook on high for 20 minutes.
*Cut up 1 head iceberg lettuce and set aside.
*Shred cheese and set aside.

*STACK in the following order: Lettuce, Rice, Meat Sauce, Cheese, Corn chips

Modifications: When my kids were smaller and for my one who doesn't like lettuce, I just eliminate the lettuce and they love to use the Fritos to "scoop" up the rice/sauce/cheese mixture.

Source: Mom, Aunt Robyn also makes it and calls it "Stack Tacos"