Baked Chimichangas

1lb ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can refried beans

1 batch chili rice
cheese

10 8inch flour tortillas
1/2 stick butter, melted

Brown and cook beef and onion, add taco seasoning and beans. I do this in the crock pot on high. Refrigerate filling and the chili rice to make it firm enough to wrap tortillas tightly. Mix beef bean mixture and rice. Add about a 1/2 cup filling to tortilla with a little cheese. Wrap the burrito tightly. Brush melted butter on bottom and lay on a lined sheet pan. Brush the tops and sides of burritos generously with butter. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Serve with chopped lettuce, taco sauce, and sour cream on top. Can be frozen once baked and reheated. Makes 10.

Chili Rice

1 cup brown rice
2 cups water
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tbsp butter

Add all ingredients to a baking dish. Bake at 425 for about an hour checking after 45 minutes to see if liquid is absorbed. Serve as a side or add to burrito or chimichanga filling

Hawaiian Slow Cooker Chicken

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 bottle Hawaiian barbecue sauce (from Target, Archer Farms brand)
1 small onion, chopped small
1 small green pepper chopped into 1inch pieces
1/2 cup baby carrots
1 can pineapple chunks

Add everything to slow cooker. I put the chicken in frozen. Cook on high about 3 hours. Shred chicken with 2 forks.

Serve with brown rice.

1 1/2 cups brown rice
3 cups water
1 tablespoon minced onion flakes
3 tablespoons soy sauce

Bring water to boil with onion and soy sauce. Add rice. Cook on low about 45-60 minutes until liquid is absorbed.

Freezer Cooking: Tikka Masala in the Slow Cooker

In a 1 quart freezer bag, place:
12oz. boneless skinless chicken breast, in 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

In a gallon freezer bag, place:
1 large can diced tomatoes, with chiles
1 small can tomato paste
1 tsp ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp red curry paste
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder

Freeze bags for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to cook-
Remove bags from freezer. Place frozen contents in crock pot. Cook on high for 4 hours.

After 4 hours, add 1 1/4 cups brown rice or pearl barley and 2 cups very hot water to crock pot. Stir to mix in the grains. Cook on high for 2-3 more hours until grain is cooked.

Before serving, stir in 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt, & 1 cup half & half (or milk).

Serve with salad or carrot sticks and a piece of pita (naan) or crusty bread.

Serves 6

Brown Rice Quiche

Makes 2- one to eat for dinner, and one to freeze

1 1/3 cup brown rice
1 large onion, chopped
2 2/3 cup water
8 eggs
1 cup shredded cheese, and kind
1lb bag frozen peas
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp dried basil
salt & pepper
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs, plus some for the top

In a medium size pot, add rice, onion, & water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cook for 45 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the water.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, add all the other ingredients. Stir to combine. Then, fold in the rice & onion mixture.

Grease 2 9" pie plates. Pour half of the mixture into each plate. Top with bread crumbs.

To freeze- Wrap uncooked quiche in plastic wrap and foil. Write directions on the foil (Thaw & Bake at 375 degrees for about an hour), and freeze up to 2 months.

To cook- Bake for about an hour. You'll know it's ready when it's browned, slightly puffed up, and "springy" to the touch.

Serve with a big salad.

Rice & Bean Bake

This makes a really flavorful rice & beans dish. I like it a lot better than making a batch on the stove top, and it's a bonus that you just dump it all in the pan and it comes out beautiful! Easy and delicious!

1 1/2 cups raw brown rice
3 1/3 cups cooked black beans (or 2 15oz. cans, drained)
1 can diced tomatoes with chilies
1/2 cup salsa
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
2 1/2 cups stock, heated to boiling in a saucepan
1 cup shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix rice, beans, tomatoes, salsa, onion, garlic, & pepper flakes in a large bowl. Add hot stock and stir. Add the shredded cheese.

Pour mixture into a greased 13x9 baking pan. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for approximately 70 minutes or until rice is cooked through.

*sometimes I crank the temperature up to 400 to make things cook a little faster, and sometimes it takes up to 90 minutes…it just depends on the day.

Serve with salsa & sour cream.