Empanadas

This is perfect for dinner, game day, or anytime.

1 pkg. premade pie crusts

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 - 2 c. jar salsa

2 - 3 T. olive oil

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 c. shredded cheese

non stick cooking spray

1/2 tsp. each:  lime juice, granulated garlic

1/4 c. flour

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, chopped jalapeño pepper

Take pie crust out of refrigerator to thaw.

Preheat oven according to package instructions.

Spray baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

Peel, rinse and chop onion.

Preheat skillet to medium high heat, lower heat to medium, add oil.

Add meat, salt, pepper, jalapeño, onion, garlic, salsa, lime juice to skillet and cook for 10 - 12 min., stirring occasionally.

While meat is cooking, sprinkle some flour on workspace board and on rolling pin.

Open one of the pie crusts and roll out onto work board. 

Roll out dough with rolling pin. 

Cut out 6 circles from dough with a round cookie cutter. 

Roll out each circle. 

Whem meat is finished cooking, turn off stove and with a clean spoon, spoon some of the meat into the middle of the circles. 

Sprinkle some of the cheese over meat and fold over dough circles to cover meat. 

Wet a clean fork and crimp edges of empanadas. 

Repeat process with remaining pie crusts.

Arrange empanadas on baking sheets and place in oven to cook for 15 - 20 min.

Halfway through cooking, flip empanadas over on other side to cook.

Keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn.

Serves 4.

Broasted Zucchini

 This is perfect as a side dish or anytime. 

2 zucchinis, sliced
non stick cooking spray
1/8 c. - 1/4 c olive oil
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. each: black pepper, granulated garlic, lemon juice


Preheat oven to 350' F.


Spray baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.


Rinse and cut end from zucchinis.

Cut zucchinis into slices and cut slices in half, set aside.


In a clean bowl combine, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice. 

Adjust amount of oil as needed. 

Add zucchinis and toss to coat


Spread zucchinis on baking sheet and place in oven and bake for 25 - 30 min. 

Halfway through cooking, take baking sheet out of oven, stir zucchini slices to cook evenly until done.

Serves 4. 

Quick Chilaquiles

This is great for breakfast, brunch or anytime.

I’ve used premade salsa verde, but you can use what salsa you like.

8 eggs

1 jar salsa verde or salsa

1 each chopped: small onion, Roma tomato, avocado

1/8 - 1/4 c. each chopped: radishes, green onions

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

Non stick cooking spray 

1/8 tsp. hot sauce

4 c. premade tortillas chips

Peel, rinse, chop onion, place in a clean bowl set aside.

Cut avocado in half, remove pit, scoop and chop avocado.

Place avocado in bowl with onion.

Rinse, remove ends of, chop green onions and radishes, place in a clean bowl.

Rinse, chop tomato, place in bowl with onions and avocados.

Preheat skillet over medium high heat.

Lower heat and spray non stick cooking spray in pan.

Add half of salsa and add tortilla chips.

Cook chips and salsa on both sides for a couple of minutes.

Remove chips and salsa with a clean spatula and arrange chips onto 4 clean plates.

Lower heat and spray more nonstick cooking spray in pan if needed.

Crack eggs in pan.

Sprinkle salt, pepper over eggs, cook eggs to desired doneness.

Turn off stove and with spatula, arrange eggs on top of chips.

Garnish with onions, avocado, radishes, green onion, tomato, hot sauce and rest of salsa if desired.

Serves 4.

Good Luck Beans

 Soon it will be a brand New Year.

Have a blessed, happy, safe, prosperous, healthy New Year all. 

One of my New Years traditions is to have some beans on New Years Day for good luck.

I used northern beans because that’s what I had on hand but you can use what can of beans you have.

This recipe is great for the New Year or anytime, enjoy.

2 c. (1 can) northern beans drained

2  - 3 T. oil

1/3 c. onion chopped

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

1/8 tsp. each: balsamic vinegar, granulated garlic

Peel, rinse, chop onions, set aside.

Open can of beans & drain beans through a sieve.

Put beans in a clean bowl, add onions.

Drizzle oil over beans, add remaining ingredients, toss to coat beans.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap, place bowl in refrigerator to chill until ready to serve. 

Serves 4.

Greek Pita Chips

This is a great recipe for a get together, game day or anytime.

4 pocket pitas
1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, granulated garlic

1/2 tsp. dried oregano 

1/2 c. feta cheese, cut into chunks

1/8 tsp. balsamic vinegar 
1/4 - 1/3 c. oil (adjust amount needed)
Non stick cooking spray

Ccut feta cheese into chunks, set aside.

In a measuring cup combine: oil, salt, pepper, some of the oregano, garlic, vinegar, stir to mix. 

Brush both sides of pitas with oil mixture. 

Reserve some of the oil mixture to drizzle over feta cheese.

Cut pitas into 6 - 8 wedges with a clean kitchen scissors. 

Heat skillet over medium high heat, lower heat to medium, spray skillet with non stick spray.

Add pita chips in batches and fry on 1 side for 2 - 3 min.

Flip chips over and fry on other side or 2 - 3 min more.

Keep an eye on chips so they don’t burn.

Transfer pita chips to a a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil. 

Transfer pita chips to a serving plate, arrange feta cheese over chips.

Sprinkle remaining oregano over chips and cheese.

With a clean spoon, drizzle oil over feta cheese. 

Serves 4. 

Easy Meatballs

 This is a great recipe for dinner, a party oranytime. 

1 -  2 lb. lean ground beef (ground round)

1/4- 1/2 c. milk 

4 slices bread, torn up

1/8 - 1/4 tsp. each; salt, pepper

1 can diced tomatoes

2 - 3 c. tomato sauce (optional)

1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 - 2 cloves chopped and crushed garlic
1 - 2 eggs (cage free)
2 small onions, chopped

1/2 bell pepper, chopped 

2 stalks celery, chopped 

1/2 tsp. each: parsley, oregano, basil

2 -  3 T. olive oil (enough to coat pan)

Non stick cooking spray 

Preheat oven to 350’ F.

Spray baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Crush, peel, chop garlic.

Peel, rinse, chop onions. 

Rinse, seed, chop peppers.

Rinse, chop celery

In a mixing bowl combine meat, spices, eggs, garlic, herbs, bread, milk, vegetables.

Mix well with clean hands. 

Form meat mixture into 8 - 12 meatballs. 

Preheat skillet to medium high heat. lower heat to medium, add oil. 

Place meatballs in pan and brown on 1 side for 7 - 10 min approx. 

Turn meatballs over and cook on other side for 7 - 10 min. more or until brown.

Remove meatballs from pan and drain excess fat from meatballs if needed.  

Place meatballs in baking pan and pour tomatoes and sauce over meatballs. 

Place baking pan in oven.

Cook meatballs and sauce for 45 min. or until done. 

Serves 4.

Chocolate Croissants

This is perfect with coffee or anytime.

1 can refrigerated croissants

Non stick cooking spray

10 - 20 chocolate candy kisses

Preheat oven according to directions on can.

Spray non stick cooking spray on baking sheet.

Open can and spread croissants on baking sheet.

Place 1 - 2 candies in the middle of each croissant, roll dough up and into the shape of a crescent.

Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 10 - 12 min. or until croissants are done.

Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.

Serves 4 - 5.