Whole grain Taco Shells are Gluten Free

We were sent a Smart Fiesta Hard Taco dinner kit to try.  I love tacos – we have them on a weekly basis.

They’re healthy, easy, and I always have the ingredients on hand.

Sign up for the coupon at Life Made Delicious – Old El Paso.

Since my kids (& their mom) don’t like spicy, we forgo the seasoning and use this for a sweeter version:

  • ground beef, scramble fried
  • 1 can maple brown beans
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
Sautee all together and add to your taco with your favorite toppings:
  • chopped tomatoes
  • shredded lettuce
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • sour cream
  • chili sauce (heinz)

Enjoy!

Beef Stroganof over Noodles

My (in)famously easy-peasy recipes.  It is a sure fire hit with the kids as long as the mushroom pieces aren’t visible.  And with Campbell’s Premium Ready-to-Serve tetri packs in Canada, the mushrooms are teeny tiny.  Which suits my don’t-know-better kids and their mother too.  This is the perfect meal for a surprise dinner guest as well – easily expandable.  And a nice warm winter comfort-food for many.   (many who like meat, that is)

Ingredients:

  • gluten-free mushroom soup (1 liter)
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1/2 pkg GF onion soup mix
  • 1lb ground beef
  • 450g of rice noodles, cooked according to pkg directions.
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

  • scramble fry beef in large skillet, add onions, and fry until golden.
  • add soups, add water if necessary, cover and simmer 5 minutes – until warmed through
  • cook noodles according to pkg directions
  • Remove beef mixture from heat, stir in sour cream and serve over noodles.

Let me know what you think!

Cheesy Thai Chowder

Inspired by Thai ClubHouse All in One Seasoning.  (I wonder if I keep linking to them, if they’ll send me product to review??)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef, scramble fried
  • 6-8 fresh baby spinach, chopped
  • 1 small onion, cut into chunks
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 Tbsp Chicken bouillon
  • 2 Tbsp Thai ClubHouse Seasoning
  • 2 large baked potatoes, cubed (you could use raw too and increase cooking time)
  • 6 cups milk
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch, 3 tbsp cold water for thickening
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

  1. Combine onion, celery, spinach and ground beef in dutch oven (large saucepan) over medium heat.  Add a touch of olive oil if necessary, and stir fry until veggies are tender.
  2. Add bouillon, seasoning and water.  Heat through.
  3. Add a couple tablespoons of the milk.  Stir so liquid is evenly heated.  Add a 1/4 cup of milk, and stir continually until it is spread evenly through the pan.  Keep increasing the amount of milk, and stirring between additions.
  4. Add baked potatoes, and thickener, heat to boiling and thickened.
  5. Remove from heat, and add cheese.
  6. Stir until cheese is melted and serve immediately.

thai-chowder

PS – if there are some photography guru’s out there, do you know if I’m having problems with photos because my camera is as old as the hills (point and shoot variety) or because of …  er… user error?

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The Skillet “Surprise”

However, when you look closely there’s nothing surprising in it – just a couple days worth of leftovers.  :D

  • 3 cups or so cooked rice
  • 1 pkg scramble fried ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 cup or so of cooked veggies (I used a freezer mix plus some leftover peas)
  • 4-5 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup or so of water (as needed)
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1.5 Tbsp white vinegar
  • dash of Italiano seasoning (this prepared mix of herbs from Club House is gluten free)

So I cooked the onions in a skillet, added all the other ingredients, covered and heated on medium until hot through out.  Maybe took 10 minutes?  It doesn’t need it, but everything is better to a kid with ketchup.  And that does make it more surprising doesn’t it?  :)

*  all my ingredients are sourced and checked for their gluten free status in Canada

Homemade Hamburger Patties/ meat balls

As is the case with most main meals (unlike baking), this easily converts to gluten-free. We add a cup or so of cooked rice in place of the usual breadcrumbs that were in my Mom’s hamburgers. Of course mom always did have the best recipes! :)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef, raw
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1/2 pkg onion soup mix (my secret ingredient- adds amazing flavor in place of worcestershire sauce)
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder or granules

Instructions:

I always wear gloves for this:

The technical term is “smooooosh” all ingredients together. Until well mixed.

Form into 2″ diameter meatballs, or 4-5″ diameter patties. Skillet fry or broil until done.

Enjoy!

5 ingredient Shepherd’s Pie

This received 5 Stars from my family!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups mashed potatoes
  • 1 pkg cooked ground beef
  • 1 pkg onion soup mix*
  • 3/4 c water
  • 1.5 cups mixed veggies, frozen or fresh
  1. In the bottom of an oven-ready casserole dish, place ground beef, onion soup mix, water and veggies.
  2. Stir.
  3. Scoop mashed potatoes on top.
  4. Sprinkle with paprika (it’s so pretty!), optional.
  5. Bake 350° for 1 hour.
  6. Enjoy!

* We use the No Name onion soup mix from Loblaws Canada, which is gluten free.