August 12, 2011

Tacos

I know tacos are probably something every family makes and already has a "recipe" for, but I'm sure every one's is different, so I thought I'd share how we do Taco night at our house!

This recipe is for what we do on a basic night. Because we have tacos so often, I quit buying packets of taco seasoning and found a bulk container at Costco. We like both Taco Bell and McCormick's, but I've only seen the McCormick's in bulk.

I know the spinach probably sounds weird to everyone, but we started using it because lettuce really doesn't have anything in it. The spinach is so much better for you and tastes just as good (I think better) in the tacos.

Last, we like to serve these buffet style. Each person prepares their own tacos from the toppings available, that way everyone can use what they like. It's great for a party or a big get together, everyone can find something they like!

1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
8 flour burrito shells
1 bag Mexican blend shredded cheese
1 tomato, diced
2 cups spinach, chopped
1/2 can olives, chopped
Sour cream
  • Prepare tomato, spinach, and olives and place in small bowls.
  • Brown ground beef and drain off excess fat.
  • Mix in taco seasoning according to directions on packet or container.
  • Put seasoned beef on shell, top with cheese, and microwave approximately 10 seconds (or until cheese begins to melt).
  • Top with spinach, olives, tomatoes, and sour cream.
  • Fold closed and enjoy!
When I was little, I used to put all the toppings on the shell, eat it like a taco salad, then eat the shell by itself. Every once in a while I like to use salsa in the tacos as well. What other toppings do you use on your taco night?

August 09, 2011

Red Lobster Biscuits

This is another recipe from our seafood night. Here are links to the rest of the recipes:
Garlic Salmon
Shrimp Scampi

This is the second recipe I've tried for biscuits similar to those at Red Lobster. The first one didn't taste quite right, but I went back to see if I could find it again (in the midst of our moving, the drive with my recipes on it is still missing) and stumbled across this one. This sounded much better, so I tried it. It definitely tasted much better!

Biscuits:
2 & 1/2 cups bisquick baking mix
3/4 cup cold whole milk
4 Tbsp cold butter
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 heaping cup grated cheddar cheese
To brush on top:
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1/4 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt, to taste
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Combine bisquick with cold butter and cut together with a pastry cutter or large fork. There should be small chunks of butter about the size of peas throughout when you're done.
  • Add cheddar cheese, milk, and garlic powder. Mix by hand to combine.
  • Place approximately 1/4 cup portions onto ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake about 12-15 minutes or until tops begin to turn light brown.
  • While baking, mix together butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley flakes for topping.
  • When done, brush topping mixture over biscuits.

Shrimp Scampi

Here is another recipe from our seafood night :) Here are links to the rest of the recipes:
Garlic Salmon
Red Lobster Biscuits

This was the first time I'd ever made a dish with shrimp. I bought the shrimp precooked so I didn't have to shell or de-vein it. This was a pretty fast and easy recipe, took maybe 10-15 minutes to prepare and cook the whole thing.

The recipe calls for clarified butter, but I'm not very good at clarifying, plus I wanted to save time, so I just used regular butter. It didn't look or taste funny, so it can't be that big of a deal :)

1 & 1/2 lbs shrimp
1/3 cup clarified butter
4 Tbsp minced garlic
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 dry white wine
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Rinse shrimp and set aside.
  • Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until softened (NOT browned).
  • Add shrimp, green onions, wine, and lemon juice. Cook until shrimp is pink and firm.
  • Add chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
  • Serve with lemon slices.

Garlic Salmon

Yokes had a seafood sale last Friday so I decided to have a seafood night here at home. I bought and cooked shrimp and crab legs for the first time! We also had fish and biscuits similar to what Red Lobster has. Here are links to the rest of the recipes we used last night:
Red Lobster Biscuits
Shrimp Scampi

This salmon recipe was a fast easy recipe, would be great for a fast weeknight dinner. For just the fish, it took about 10 minutes to prepare and cook. I found it online while looking for a fast recipe that I already had all of the ingredients for. As usual, you can use any type of fish you want. I used salmon for my piece and cod for my husband's.

2 Tbsp butter
3-4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
4 - 4 oz salmon fillets
Lemon wedges
  • Season both sides of fillets with lemon pepper seasoning.
  • In large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt butter. Stir in garlic.
  • Put fish in pan and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes per side. Fish should flake when tested with fork.
  • Serve with lemon wedges.