Tex-Mex Chicken Wraps

As I've said before, I love tacos and Mexican inspired food. This dish was so incredibly easy-it was nice having it ready when I got home from work! They weren't anything special, but definitely good! I used chicken instead of turkey as the recipe calls for, but you could do either. And just make sure to serve with sour cream, salsa and/or guacamole!

Tex-Mex Chicken Wraps-Adapted from Betty Crocker

Total Time: 8 Hours

Serves 8

• 2 pounds chicken breast
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 envelopes taco seasoning mix
• 16 flour tortillas
• 2 cups chopped lettuce
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream, salsa, and/or guacamole for serving

Place chicken in 3 1/2-4 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Add onion and water.

Cover and cook on low heat setting 6-7 hours or until juice of chicken is no longer pink.

Remove chicken from the slow cooker & shred. Measure liquid from the slow cooker; add enough water to liquid to measure 2 cups. Mix seasoning mixes and liquid mixture in slow cooker. Stir in shredded chicken.

Cover and cook on low heat setting 1 hour.

Spoon about 1/4 cup chicken onto center of each tortilla; top with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa and/or guacamole. Roll up tortillas.

Baked Beans

In this journey of trying new things, I make myself make recipes even if I think I won't like them. Unless I've made the dish at least once in the last year, I'll make it. If I've made it recently and didn't like the main ingredients, I usually won't make it again. No sense in wasting food. I've never been a huge fan of baked beans, but some are good. This recipe wasn't anything special. Nothing great, but not terrible. Just make sure that the bacon gets cooked completely before adding the beans. Also, if you are making this for only a few people, I'd suggest cutting the recipe in half. It does serve 6-8 people!

Baked Beans-adapted from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cooking 2

Total Time: 45 Minutes

Serves 6-8

• 1/2 pound slab bacon, thickly sliced and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 (32-ounce) cans baked beans
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey

In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, add the chopped bacon and cook over medium heat just until slightly cooked. Add baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, hot pepper sauce, and honey and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat slightly to maintain a simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until flavors are combined.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Loaded mashed potatoes are one of my favorite things. I know they aren't the greatest for you, but they're just so good! I found this recipe, once again, through Pinterest. If you haven't checked it out you definitely should--although it is addicting! I have, however, found a lot of new blogs that I'm really enjoying! This casserole is perfect for a family gathering or potluck--who doesn't like loaded potatoes?!

**November 2012 Update**
Definitely use a hand blender when 'mashing' these potatoes-it just makes them so much better! This should definitely be a creamy version, not lumpy! I made these for a trip up north, and am making them again this weekend for a friend's birthday. They can't be beat!

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole-precooked!

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole-adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Total Time: 50 Minutes

Serves 12

• 5 1/2 cups mashed potatoes (around 6-7 large baking potatoes)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 slices bacon crispy cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven 350 degrees. 

Peel, quarter, and boil potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until soft. Drain potatoes and and beat with a mixer until smooth. Add milk, cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, garlic salt, and nutmeg. Beat at a medium-high speed until nice and creamy. Add salt to taste keeping in mind that the cheese and bacon will add a little salt later.

Spoon into a 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with cheddar cheese and bacon. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese melts.