Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

This little snack is simple and easy, and super kid-friendly. My kids used to LOVE baby food sweet potatoes, but for some reason I've never been able to get them to eat them again. I tried to trick them and just tell them they were french fries, but they didn't buy it. They each ate three of them, which is a success in my book.....I, however, polished off the rest of the plate. These are great as a side to a main dish or just as a fun snack:)


You will need:
-8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
-1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
-2 or 3 sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut lengthwise into wedges
-1 1/2 tsp salt
-1 tsp pepper

*Preheat oven to 400
*Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove pan from heat and stir in cinnamon.
*Add sweet potato wedges and toss to combine
*Season with salt and pepper
*Spread potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet and roast them, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes or until tender.

5 Layer Beef Taco Pie

This is yet another recipe I got from the Deen Brothers cookbook, it looked so good I couldn't resist trying it. Tacos are a favorite at our house, and this is basically just tacos....but layered, and with a crunchy layer of baked cheese on top. This is fast and easy, and a great way to put a new spin on plain old tacos. I served this with guacamole and re fried beans and called it a day. This recipe will definitely be making a repeat appearance soon in our kitchen!

You will need:

-1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips (I used tostado's scoops)

-1 pound ground beef

-one packet taco seasoning mix (I used Kroger brand-mild)

-1 cup salsa of your choice (I used Clint's Texas Salsa-mild...this is our favorite salsa)

-3/4 cup sour cream

-1 avocado, halved, peeled and cut into cubes

-1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

*Spray a broiler proof 9 inch deep dish pie plat with non-stick spray. Spread 1 cup of crushed tortilla chips on bottom of pie plate.

*Brown ground beef for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Drain drain drippings from the meat.

*Add taco seasoning packet and 2/3 cup water to the meat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the meat to the pie plate, spreading it on top of chips.

*Preheat your broiler to low

*Spread salsa over the meat, then sour cream over the salsa. Scatter avocado cubes over the sour cream, and the remaining 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips over avocado. Top with the cheddar cheese.

*Broil for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling. ***Make sure to watch the cheese.....I broiled mine for 3 minutes and if hadn't checked it , the cheese would have burned.....I caught it just in time and it turned out perfect!

Easy Banana Bread

I found this recipe last year on a blog and I love it because it is so simple and so good, not to mention it makes the whole house smell amazing! No mixer needed for this one...

You will need:
-4 ripe bananas, mashed
-1/3 cup butter, melted
-1 cup sugar
-1 egg lightly beaten
-1 tsp vanilla
-1 tsp baking soda
-pinch of salt
-1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

-Preheat oven to 350
-In a large bowl mash bananas well (I usually use a potato masher for this)
-With a wooden spoon mix melted butter into mashed bananas
-Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla
-Sprinkle baking soda and pinch of salt into bowl and mix in
-Add flour last and mix well
-Pour into a well greased loaf pan
-Bake 1 hour