NACHOS for the GAME!

What a beautiful Sunday we are having today.  I am loving the snow outside, everything looks so pretty covered in a blanket of white.  I am getting ready for the big game this afternoon.  Giants vs. 49'ers... And you would be so surprised, and don't send me any hate mail, but my Hubby doesn't want the Giants to win!  Yes, I know we live in New Jersey, and we were born and raised in New York City, but my Hubby does not like the Giants!  He's a JETS fan.....I know, I know, what can I say, but he's my Hubby and I love him, so I want whoever he wants to win....so go 49'ers!

Nachos, we love Nachos in this house.  I make them often, especially on Sunday's during football season, because my Hubby loves football, and loves my Nachos! They are perfect for the big game, so comforting, so delicious, and best of all.....EASY!

Nachos
1 big bag of Tortilla chips (whatever kind you want)
1 lb ground beef
1 can refried beans
1 can black or red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 packet taco seasoning
2 tsp. cumin
1/2 cup water
1 lb shredded cheddar cheese
1 jar salsa, whatever you kind you like
Sour Cream for topping
Scallions for topping
Sliced Black Olives for topping
Sliced Jalapeno Peppers for topping

In a skillet, brown the ground beef until no longer pink.  Add the refried beans, black or kidney beans, seasoning pack, cumin, and water, bring to a light boil, and then simmer for 5 minutes covered. 

Line a large cookie sheet with foil, spray it with cooking spray, or a casserole dish.  Arrange the Tortilla chips on the cookie sheet or casserole dish and then generously top the chips with the beef and bean mixture.  Top with the cheddar cheese.  Bake in a 375 oven for 20 minutes or so until the cheese is all bubbly and lightly brown.  Top with sour cream, salsa, sliced olives, jalapenos, scallions, and enjoy!  So YUMMO!!!

I like to top my Nachos with a salad, made from greens, tomato's, cucumbers, and olives, and top it with a light Italian salad dressing.

Quesadilla's.......so YUMMO!

I hardly ever eat lunch, sometimes I think it's the "forgotten" meal.  But my family has to eat, and sometimes peanut butter and jelly just doesn't cut it.  I came up with this Quesadilla recipe a couple of years ago.  We were all hungry, all out of bread (yeah, you can't believe it, huh?), and the fridge was empty. I was planning on going food shopping, but not that day, I know, but it was Summer, the day was beautiful, and I wanted to be in the pool all day long.  We did have floured tortilla's, and of course my pantry was stocked, so I grabbed a can of refried beans. I always have some kind of cheese in the fridge, and there was some leftover chicken.  I got the griddle out, and started making Quesadilla's.  It's like a grilled cheese with refried beans, and whatever else you have laying around. Sometimes for a treat I make a Nutella and banana Quesadilla, now that's delicious!!! They cook up really fast, you gotta watch they can burn!  After taking the refried bean Quesadilla off the griddle, I usually cut it into 4 -8 pieces, and serve with sour cream, salsa, chopped tomato's and even a little cilantro, gives such a fresh taste.  These make a great appetizer too!   A perfect "sandwich" for a perfect lunch or snack!  YUMMO! 

Refried Bean Cheese Quesadilla
2 large floured Tortilla's
About 3 TBS Refried Beans
leftover cooked chopped chicken or beef (optional)
Shredded Cheddar (or whatever you have) Cheese
1 TBS butter

Toppings
sour cream
salsa
cilantro
chopped tomato's

Preheat a frying pan or griddle to high.  Using the 2 tortilla's, spread 3 TBS of  refried beans on one tortilla, sprinkle with desired amount of cheese, add the chicken if you want, if you don't have, it's fine without the chicken.  Put the other tortilla on top, like a sandwich.  Butter both sides. Lower to MEDIUM it could burn.....cook for 2 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 2 minutes on other side. Cut into 4 - 8 wedges, serve with sour cream, salsa, chopped tomato's and cilantro.

Nutella and Banana Quesadilla
Same method......Just substitute Nutella and banana's.  DELICIOUS!!!!
Pizza Quesadilla
Same method.....Just substitute "sauce".....you do have some kind of pasta sauce in your fridge or pantry, right? 
and Mozzarella cheese, leftover meatballs, sausage, or pepperoni......so DELICIOUS!  ENJOY!