Chili

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 C diced onion
• 3/4 C diced green pepper
• 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 14.5 oz can pinto beans
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 t salt
• 2 t chili powder
• 1 bay leaf

Brown beef in large pot.  Add onion and green pepper (cook until tender).  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover and simmer for approximately 1 hour, stirring every 15 to 20 minutes.

 

Falafalas

Ingredients

• 16 oz can garbanzo beans
• 16 oz can white/pinto beans
• 1/2 C fresh chopped parsley
• 2 T fresh chopped cilantro
• 2 eggs
• 1 medium cucumber (peeled and diced)
• 1 medium yellow onion (peeled and diced)
• 3 cloves garlic or comparable amount of garlic powder (3/4 tsp?)
• pepper
• salt
• flour
• vegetable oil

Combine all ingridients (except spices, flour, and vegetable oil) in blender and puree.  When batter is smooth, pour into a large bowl and mix in spices (salt and pepper to taste.  Add flour about a 1/4 C at a time until batter is a little thicker than pancake batter.  Heat vegetable oil in large pan (1/4 to 1/2 inch deep).  Drop about 1/3 C of batter into oil and fry over medium to medium high heat until golden brown (3-5 minutes on each side).

Serve with pita bread, diced tomato, diced avocado, and ranch or blue cheese dressing

 

Nacho Bites

Doesn’t take much more work than regular nachos.  Less mess to serve.  Also fun as a party appetizer.  A family favorite!

Ingredients:

• Tostitos Scoops Tortilla Chips (or any bowl shaped tortilla chip)
• 1/2 lb Ground Beef
• Taco Seasoning
• 1 can Refried Beans
• Finely Grated Cheddar Cheese
• Avacado, Peeled and Cut in Small Pieces
• Sour Cream
• Salsa

In frying pan, combine ground beef and taco seasoning (an arbitrary amount according to your taste buds) and brown beef.  Set out individual chips in rows on a cookie sheet (we fit about 30).  Add a small amount of beef to each chip.  Next add a small amount of beans and top generously with cheddar cheese.  Turn oven on broil and put in the oven until cheese is melted.  Remove from oven and top with sour cream, chunks of avocado and salsa.  Use your own favorite nacho toppings!