Easy Way to Cassoulet

Comfort Food Season is drawing to a close, as the weather (finally!) turns warmer. One final entry under that category is my version of the traditional French cassoulet, which is meant to be a heavy, savory, stick-to-your-ribs dish.  Fans of traditional French cooking will notice that my recipe doesn't take a dozen steps and several days to complete :) 

I think it's pretty tasty though...and gluten free!

Start with 1lb lamb - steak or tips - sprinkled with mint, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper.  Bake on a greased cookie sheet, loosely covered with foil at 325F for 1 hour.  If you don't like lamb, substitute pork loin chops and only bake for 40 minutes.


Next, add to the same baking sheet:
1lb pork breakfast sausages
carrots
onion

Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, then uncovered for another 30 minutes.

Chop meat and spread in roasting pan with veggies.

Top with:
3 cans drained navy beans
1 c beef or veggie bouillon
1/2 c red wine or cooking wine
a bay leaf or two

Bake 1 hour uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Serve with garlic bread.

Then take a nap... :)

CheeseSteak & Bacon Pie

Next in the "What Else Can I Put Into Pie Crust" series...

It is like a cheesesteak sub, in a pie.  Add anything you would order in a steak sub, such as onions, peppers, salami. I used mushrooms and bacon, and WOW was that tasty :)  Bacon is good with lots of things, but really added the right flavor to this recipe.



1.Saute sandwich-shredded beef (most grocery store meat counters will have this). Drain, then add pepper and salt. (I use Montreal Steak seasoning)


2. Saute whatever veggies you might want - pepper, onion, mushrooms, etc.  If you are making Steak Bomb Pie with salami, try slicing the salami into strips and saute a little bit before adding to the pie.




3. Microwave 1 pkg bacon according to package directions.  (trust me on the bacon).  Crumble when cool.



4. Here comes the fun part - Fill pie! 



5. Layer sliced american cheese on top. The cheese really makes the texture come out right, but if you want to do a dairy-free version, use a small jar of brown gravy instead.





6. The top crust will come out better if you put some or all of the crumbled bacon between the cheese and the top crust.  If the crust touches the cheese it gets stuck to it and won't rise.





7. Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes, covering the crust edge with foil after 20 minutes.  Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes (if you can hold off that long).

Taco Lasagna!

(1) 24 pc package of soft corn tortillas

2# ground meat, cooked and drained

1 pkg taco seasonings

2 cans refried beans

(2) pkg Spanish Rice, prepared according to package

big package shredded cheese (always go for the big package:)

 (2) large jars taco sauce




Smear bottom of large baking pan or lasagna pan with a little taco sauce.

Layer 8 tortillas to cover pan.

Combine cooked meat with taco spices according to spice package directions in same skillet used to cook meat. 

Stir in refried beans and spread in even layer over tortillas.

optional: diced onion, sliced olives




Cover with another layer of 8 tortillas



Spread even layer of cooked rice and sprinkle with most of the cheese.



Place final layer of 8 tortillas.


Cover with taco sauce.


Bake covered with foil at 375 for 1 hour.

Uncover, bake another 15 minutes.  Can add another sprinkle of cheese if desired.


Serve with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips.



This can be made Gluten Free if you check the ingredients in the rice, refried beans, and taco seasonings.

Quick & Easy Pepperoni Snack Rolls

This one is really easy, and everyone loves them :)


GET:
2 - 10 pc pkgs Pillsbury biscuit rolls 
Block of sharp cheddar, cut into 20 slices
package of sliced pepperoni






Flatten each biscuit a little.

Place a slice of cheese and a few slices of pepperoni.

Fold all edges into the middle and press together.













Flip them over and place on greased baking sheet.




Optional: sprinkle with basil, oregano, parmesan.

Bake according to biscuit directions on package.




Serve while hot with pizza sauce for dipping.