Cooking - for a new lifestyle (Our Test Kitchen)

1 can or fried beans (or mash one can of brown beans) 2 cups shredded cheese 2 lbs cooked ground beef 1 pckg Taco seasoning 1 pckg (10 pcs) and wraps 1 tub sour cream 1 jar salsa 1 bunch green onions diced 1 large tomato diced In a large round casserole dish Or spring form pan (lightly greased) Lay 2 wraps down Top with 1/3 of cheese Lay another wrap down Top with 1/3 of the refried beans Lay another wrap down Top with 1/2 the ground beef Lay another wrap down Top with 1/3 of cheese Lay another wrap down Top with 1/3 of the refried beans Lay another wrap down Top with 1/2 the ground beef Lay 1 wrap down Top with last of cheese Lay another wrap down Top with last of the refried beans Lay another wrap down I prepare this and cooked later! Bake covered at 350 degrees For about 1 hour or until fully heated In the center. Mix the diced tomatoes and green onions. Let sit for about 5 minutes Once taken out of the oven. Cut into slices like a pie. Top with...

One of many recipes from my kickboxing class. 2 eggs 1/4 cup pumpkin puree 1/8 tsp cinnamon 1/4 scoop of vanilla protein powder (to thicken) Mix together. Makes 3 pancakes.

I wanted to make some comfort food for John and I knew he'd love this. 3 cups of dry navy beans (I used a blend) 6 hot dogs sliced into thin rings ** soak them all for 8 hours  or soften the beans by boiling  then simmering them for 10 minutes In a crock pot: 1 medium yellow onion chopped 1 1/2 cups ketchup 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 1 1/2 cups water 1 tbsp ground mustard 1/2 cup molasses salt to taste and softened beans Mix it well, cover and cook for 10-12 hours. Stir occasionally near the end of the cooking time. This can be made a day ahead  and reheated on the stove on low heat. "Bon Appetit!"

I froze some asparagus and never got around to using it. New Years organizing required me to get my freezer in order. So I looked up a recipe for frozen asparagus soup and altered it to use items I had. IT WAS YUMMMMMMMMMY. Ingredients: 2 packages (12 ounces each) frozen cut asparagus 1/2 onion or leek Cook gently on medium/high until limp. Puree and set aside. Add some of the milk below if necessary. 1/4 cup butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 3/4 to 1 teaspoon pepper 1 package of nacho cheese powder OR 1 cup monterey jack cheese Stir together until it creates a paste. 4 cups milk In a large pot start bringing milk to a boil. Add your cheese paste. Whisk well. Add the pureed asparagus. Optional: 4 to 5 drops hot pepper sauce Serve with crumbled bacon and extra cheese. "Bon Appetit!"

4 tbsp. margarine/butter 8 cups shaved carrot 4 stalks chopped celery 1 chopped red onion 2-4 tbsp. gingerbread seasoning or 8 tbsp. fresh grated ginger Melt butter in large saucepan on medium. Add the rest of the ingredients. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until onion is softened. 12 cups vegetable stock 4 tbsp. honey 1 tsp salt 1tsp pepper Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil Reduce heat to medium/low Simmer covered for 50 minutes stirring occasionally Process with hand blender until it is the desired consistency ** you can puree in blender until smooth. 1 cup whole grain rice Boil to desired doneness Add to soup Stir well and serve NOTE: This recipe called for me to add the rice to the soup with the salt and pepper using the soup to cook the rice and then puree EVERYTHING. I have changed the instructions for the likes of our family. I partly pureed the soup and will add the rice before serving. "Bon Appetit!"

1 brick cream cheese 3/4 cup of pumpkin pie filling 1 cup powdered sugar blend together well chill well! overnight if possible. roll in crushed cookie crumbs serve with sliced apples, or small cookies. Bon appetite!

I am thrilled with this recipe because I always put cranberries out for the turkey dinner and usually only 1 person eats any, leaving me with a TON of leftovers....... 3/4 cup chopped carrot 3/4 cup of chopped onion Place in crockpot. 1 can of cranberries (or whatever is left) 1/2 cup bbq sauce (hickory if you have it) 1/2 cup ketchup 1/3 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 tbsp dried crushed chillies (I used chili spice) Mix in a large bowl 3-6 SKINLESS quarter chickens ***personally I think boneless skinless thighs or 2 cups of deboned leftover turkey/chicken would be amazing*** 1 tsp dried sage 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp black pepper Mix spices in a large Ziploc bag, and shake rinsed chicken in them. Arrange chicken in crockpot. Cover the meat with the sauce. (if you have to layer the chicken ensure some of the sauce is on each piece) Cook covered on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Rem...