Sew God's Grace

This is a family favorite recipe that I remember my mother-in-law making when Matt brought me home to visit one time.  It's easy, cheesy, and delicious, so I thought I'd better add it to the blog!  Here's the recipe: Taco Casserole 1 pound hamburger, browned and drained 1 small can refried beans 1 small can cream of chicken soup 1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese 3/4 cup salsa 2 cups shredded cheese (we like the Colby/Monterrey Jack blend) Doritos nacho cheese chips Grease a 9 by 13 inch pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except Doritos well.  Crush some Doritos, and put them in the bottom of the pan.  Spread taco mixture over the chips and add more crushed Doritos on top.  Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until heated through.  Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, or other taco toppings as desired! Note: this recipe also freezes well.  Just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

I have made this recipe more times than I can count!  I got the recipe from my mother-in-law years ago, and I finally am getting it onto my blog.  It calls for onions, but I always omit those since my family doesn't care for them.  I included them in the recipe, though, because I know many of you out there like them in your meatballs.  This is a great recipe for the freezer, too! Here's the recipe: BBQ Meatballs 1 can evaporated milk 3 lb. hamburger 2 c. quick oatmeal 2 eggs 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1 c. chopped onion (I omit) 2 tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper      Sauce: 2 c. Ketchup 1 c. brown sugar 1/4 c. yellow mustard (I added this to the original recipe because that's what my mom always put in our BBQ sauce) 1/2 c. chopped onion (I omit) 1-2 Tbsp. liquid smoke (I omit) 1/2 tsp. garlic powder (I omit)     For meatballs, mix ingredients (I put them in my Kitchenaid mixer--so much better than using yo...

So, I finally did it.  I got a picture of my beef stew so that I could get the recipe recorded on my blog.  Then when I went to edit it. . . wow! when you enlarge the image of your crock pot on your monitor, it doesn't look quite as great as you thought it did when you snapped the picture!  Alas, I am not a photographer.  In truth, a hurried snap on my phone is as good as you're going to get on this blog!  Please go ahead and try this recipe, though.  It really is delicious! Please note:  this makes a large amount.  Be prepared to freeze some or halve the recipe if you don't have a large crew to feed like I do!  Also, I do not cook with onion as my husband cannot tolerate it.  By all means, add some onion if you like! Hearty Beef Stew  (influenced by this recipe ) 3 pounds stew meat 4 cups beef broth 6 oz. can tomato paste 3-4 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped 20 or so baby carrots, chopped 4 celery stalks, chopped ...

Last week I needed a quick meal to get on the table for lunch.  I found a recipe that I had pinned for  Cashew Beef Stir Fry , and it fit the bill nicely.  I made enough modifications to the recipe that I decided to post it.  I will definitely be making this one again.  If you have your beef pre-cooked, it comes together in a jiffy.  Here's the recipe. Cashew Beef Stir Fry (adapted from this recipe ) 2 pounds hamburger, cooked and drained 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1/2 green pepper, chopped 1/2 yellow or red pepper, chopped 1/2 pound fresh or frozen asparagus spears, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 teaspoon ginger 1 teaspoon minced garlic (I have a jar in the fridge!) 6 ounces coconut aminos (Use soy sauce if not paleo) 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (Use corn starch if not paleo) 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup raw cashews salt and pepper to taste red pepper flakes to taste In a large skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium heat.  Add the peppers,...

So, I'm always looking for new ways to use my crock pot to make things easier for me.  Usually, if I want to cook hamburger, I will do it in my microwave.  However, I can only cook 2 pounds at a time.  As our family has grown and the kids get older, I have been trying to make large quantities of my recipes and then freeze half for later.  Also, 2 pounds of meat doesn't go as far as it used to! As I was getting ready to cook 6 pounds of hamburger for a triple batch of chili, I thought, "I wonder if I can do this in my crock pot?"  I did a search to see if any other bloggers had done it, and it turns out they had! I have done this several times now for tacos, soups, and more. Here's what I do: Place meat in crock pot.  (I usually thaw a bit in the microwave, but it can be partly frozen.)  Add 1/2 cup water and cook on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.  I have a chopper that I use to break up my meat.  Every now and again, I go by and chop u...

Fall, to me, is the beginning of "slow cooker" season.  With all the fun pins I am seeing on Pinterest, I'm itching to get my crockpot out several times a week.  This recipe is one that my whole family enjoys!  I have adapted it from a Taste of Home recipe.  I like to make a big batch--we use half and then freeze the leftovers for another time.  The taste is slightly different than barbequed beef, and it turns out very moist and delicious.  My kids love them on homemade buns with cheese and pickles.  See here  for the recipe I use for the buns.  Instead of making 12 rolls, I make about 10 buns and adjust the baking time a bit longer.  Super quick and easy, too! Since I have been trying to cut down on my carbs (it's been taking a while to get the baby weight off!), I just ate the beef plain, and it was very satisfying.  Here's the recipe: Shredded Beef Sandwiches 1 12 ounce can cola 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce 4 ga...

I love lasagna.  I probably have over ten lasagna-like pins on Pinterest.  Though I have not tried to make them yet, I am fascinated with those lasagna roll ups.  I think that the "no boil" lasagna noodles are a great invention--they have become one of my pantry staples. While I love traditional lasagna, I also enjoy dishes that allow you to achieve the same taste without the time required to make it.  These days, it seems I don't start thinking about supper until thirty minutes before it needs to be ready.  Also, with the temperature reaching 110 + degrees today, there was no way I was going to turn my oven on. So, I was delighted to see a pin for a Twenty Minute Lasagna Skillet.  See the original recipe here.    I made my dish with just a few modifications.  I used some cottage cheese instead of the sour cream called for and also added some parmesan cheese.  (Yes, I love cheese, too!)  I mixed my cheeses in with the ho...

Here's another quick and easy favorite for my family--Li'l Cheddar Meat Loaves.  It's another recipe I use often from one of my church cookbooks.  My son, Evan, really enjoys them.  I think he at two of them last night.  Li'l Cheddar Meat Loaves 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use colby/monterrey jack blend) 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats 1/2 cup chopped onion (I omit) 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound ground beef Sauce: 2/3 cup ketchup 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard First, mix all ingredients except meat in a large bowl (note the fingers of my little helper nearby!).  I used a large bowl because I was making a double recipe. Crumble meat over the top and mix with your hands. Mix ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar in a separate bowl or pitcher. Shape meat mixture into eight oval loaves and place in greased 9 by 13 inch pan.  Top with sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minu...

Here's a fun recipe that I was introduced to when I married into the Pearce family.  Matt's mom made these for us several times, and I think they are delicious.  As an added bonus, they are quick and very easy! Use minute steaks for these, as many as you need to feed your family. Place a line of mustard down the middle of your steak.  Barbeque sauce is also yummy! Place a dill pickle spear on top. Roll up and secure with toothpicks.  Grill, turning once, about 3-4 minutes per side or until meat is no longer pink. Today the wind was blowing about a gazillion miles an hour, so there was no way these were going outside to get cooked.  I used my George Foreman grill on medium heat.  I cooked them 4 minutes on one side, turned them, and cooked three minutes longer.  I think I could have gone with a little less time, but I like to make sure that meat gets cooked. Hope you enjoy this one!

This is one of my go-to recipes.  My kids really like it, and it's quick and easy.  I adapted the recipe from one on Allrecipes.com found here. Here's what I did. Quick Salisbury Steak 1 pound ground beef 1 egg 3 tablespoons crushed Ritz cracker crumbs (6 crackers) 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion (I omit because we are not an onion family) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Preheat George Foreman grill to medium. Mix all ingredients except ground beef. Crumble ground beef over the top and mix until just combined. Shape into 6 oval-shaped patties. Place on George Foreman grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until browned and meat is no longer pink in the middle.  If you don't have a George Foreman Grill, just brown in a skillet. Meanwhile, mix one can cream of mushroom soup with 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk until smooth. Place a small amount of gravy in the bottom of a 2 qua...

Lately I have been in a chicken and sandwich rut with meals.  Recently, reminiscent of the former Wendy's commercials, my husband asked, "Where's the beef?"  Well, today we had some. I got this recipe from my mother-in-law, Lois.  With only a few ingredients, they come together very quickly.  Also, my kids love them! Mexican Meat Cups 1 pound ground beef 1 15.5 ounce can chili beans 1 can sloppy joe sauce or package of sloppy joe seasoning, 1 6 oz. can tomato paste, and 1 1/4 cups water 1 - 2 cans refrigerated biscuits Shredded cheese Chopped tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa if desired Cook ground beef.  Add chili beans and sloppy joe sauce and keep warm.  Roll out biscuits or flatten with palm to about 4 1/2 inch diameter.  Place on reverse side of muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for 7 - 8 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve meat sauce in biscuit cups.  Top with shredded cheese and additional toppings if desired...

My friend Michelle served us her Enchilada Casserole the last time we were over at her house.  Of course, I had to get the recipe.  This comes together quickly--great for a weeknight meal.  It also makes a large casserole, so it would be perfect for entertaining as well!  Just let your casserole bake while you visit with your company!  Here's the recipe: Enchilada Casserole: 2 pounds hamburger 1  10 oz. can and 1  19 oz. can enchilada sauce 1/2 cup onion, optional 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded Colby and Monterey Jack blend cheese Flour tortillas  (amount depends on the size of your tortillas; probably about 8 - 10 medium sized) 1/2 cup sliced black olives, optional Sour cream and salsa, optional Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Brown hamburger with onion if desired.  Add 1 cup enchilada sauce and 1 1/4 cups cheese to hamburger and mix well.  Place a small amount of sauce in the bottom of a greased 9 by 13 inch pan.  Dip tor...