Laure's Yummy Lunch

A friend of mine sent this one to me and we all thought it was delicious.  Well..... except my oldest who has randomly decided he hates beans, rice, and tomatoes.  So many substitution possibilities with this!  I used some garbanzo beans I had in the freezer instead of the others, leftover sweet corn cut from the cob, and fresh tomatoes instead of canned, and added some shredded cheddar cheese.  My husband and I ate the leftovers with tortilla chips!

1/2 lb. Ground meat
1 can Pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can Black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can (14.5oz) Mexican style stewed tomatoes
2 Zucchini cut into chunks
1 cup Corn - fresh or frozen
1 cup Salsa
2 tsp Chili powder (i make my own with cumin, paprika and garlic powders)
3 cups Cooked rice

Brown meat and add into crockpot with all other ingredients.  Cook on low for at least 4 hours.  Serve on beds of lettuce or wrapped up in a soft taco shell with cheese and sourcream or by itself in a bowl with some salsa and ranch dressing.

Apple Mouths

This would have turned out better with redder apples and thinner slices....

1 apple, cored and sliced
Cream cheese
Miniature marshmallows

Spread a layer of cream cheese on one side of each apple slice.  (Dry apples with a napkin first or it will be very hard to spread.)  Top half the apple slices with a line of marshmallows to form teeth.  Top marshmallows with the rest of the apple slices, cream cheese side down.

Roasted Vegetables

2 large russet potatoes, cubed
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced (or ¼ tsp. garlic powder)
2 carrots, cut into chunks
2 T. oil
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 C. frozen green beans
2 C. frozen corn

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large roasting pan, combine potatoes, onion, carrots, and garlic and toss. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast for 30 minutes, then remove from oven. Add green beans and corn to pan. Turn vegetables with a large spatula. Return to oven and roast for 25-35 minutes longer, or until potatoes and all vegetables are hot and tender. Serve immediately.

Tricks & Ideas
-Throw in some cubed ham and you’ve got the whole meal!