heaphy's lasagna a la mexicana...

this is a great dish that my sister, heaphy- whose real name is heather,  brought to recipe club quite a while ago, but i try to space things out a little:)  no matter how long ago she brought it, it is totally yummy!  it's a great mix of dishes & flavors.  it's also really kid friendly which is also a plus!

{heaphy's mexican lasagna}

½ Pkg. (16 strips) wide Lasagna noodles

1 lb. lean ground beef

½ c. chopped onion

½ c. chopped green bell pepper

2  12 oz. jars salsa

1 7 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained

1 tsp. chili powder

1 c. (8 oz) cottage cheese

2 c. shredded medium cheddar cheese

Sliced black olives

Sour cream

Cook lasagna noodles and drain.  Brown onion, green pepper and ground beef, drain grease.  Add salsa, corn and chili powder.  In 9x13 pan, arrange noodles and sauce alternately with cheeses between.

(Save some cheese for top) Garnish with extra cheese and sliced olives.  Cover with foil (use tooth-

picks to keep foil from sticking to cheese!) Bake at 375F for 30-40 minutes.  Let rest for 10 minutes after removing from oven.  Serve with sour cream.

my mom's banana spice cookies with lemon butter icing...

my mom has been baking these cookies for as long as i can remember, & boy am i glad that she has!  they are a light, fluffy, cake style cookie with the best contrast of flavors.  i love the holiday kind of spices in the cookie with the tart, creamy lemon frosting.  again... anything with lemon is a friend of mine:)  hopefully you love these cookies as much as my family does.

** if you are making these for non-lemon lovers (which i can't believe even exist!)  you can always use a cream cheese frosting.

{mom's banana spice cookies with lemon butter icing}

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas, about 2 bananas

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

In a large bowl cream together shortening, sugar, eggs & banana.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover & chill about 1 hour.  

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto lightly greased cookie sheets.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Cool & frost with Lemon Butter Icing.

Lemon Butter Icing

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

2 TBSP lemon juice

1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

Blend together butter & sugar.  Stir in lemon juice & zest.  Beat until smooth & of spreading consistency.

grandma hope's taco filling...

first, let me apologize for my absence!  between summer vacations & a load of injuries at our house:(  the blogs have taken a little bit of a back seat.  but i am back with a great family heirloom recipe.

my grandma hope was famous for her veggie packed taco filling!  since you make it in large batches & freeze it in containers, it is perfect for those busy nights, when you need something yummy & nutritious on the table quickly.  give it a try & i promise you won't we disappointed!

{grandma hope's taco filling}

6 lbs. lean ground beef, browned & drained

 2 green peppers, chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

 6 potatoes, peeled & grated

6 carrots, peeled & grated

1 pint ketchup

 1- 46 oz. can tomato juice

  3 packages taco seasoning

 

In a very large pot or electric skillet, brown ground beef & drain off fat.  Add peppers, onions, potatoes & carrots.  Stir until combined.  Add in ketchup, tomato juice & taco seasoning.   

Simmer for about 3 hours, or until veggies are tender.  Makes enough for a very large crown, or as I prefer- place in tupperware containers & freeze until needed.  Perfect for tacos, nachos, taco salads, etc.!