The Apple Street Cottage

It's almost May and that means Cinco De Mayo will be here before you know it.  In addition to tacos and margaritas, how about an easy casserole along the same theme?   Yes?   I've got you covered. Here's what you need: 1/2 pound of ground beef.    We grind our own. taco seasoning - my recipe 1 tsp. olive oil tortilla chips 6 oz. of shredded pepper jack cheese - divided 15 can black beans - rinsed 1/2 cup corn 1/4 to 1/2 cup diced red onion 15 oz. diced tomatoes - drained 7 oz. can diced green chilis small jar of salsa 8" x 8" casserole dish Serves 6. The steps are easy. First, brown your ground beef with some taco seasoning.  I do not measure, but if I had to, I'd say it was about 2 tablespoons.  My philosophy?  Season to taste! While the meat is cooking, wipe the bottom of your dish with the oil and crumble a handful of tortilla chips over it. Sprinkle half the cheese over the chips. Over the cheese, spread the black beans and corn. Nex...

  I don't know about you, but we love BLT's around here.  Especially in the summertime - fresh lettuce and tomatoes with nice crisp strips of bacon, slathered with mayo on fresh baked bread.  Absolutely perfect...until everything starts falling out of that perfect sandwich you've created.    First a piece of tomato lands on your plate. Then some bacon. As you try to push them back in, your fingers get covered with mayo and another slice of tomato hits the plate! Can you relate? Allow me to share my solution - The Better BLT! Here's what you need: 1 pound of thick-cut bacon 2  tomatoes - I used Romas 2 cups of chopped lettuce - yes, I pushed it down a little in the measuring cup! 2 good dollops of mayonnaise Tortillas - I used medium size Start by chopping your bacon into pieces and adding it to a skillet. Cook over medium heat.  I know a lot of people cook bacon in the oven but this method has always worked for me.  There is no bacon grease flyi...

Summer is here and no one wants to spend a lot of time cooking.  This dinner is quick, easy, and it won't heat up the kitchen.  Do I have your attention?  Read on! This post may contain affiliate links. Call it a Wrap or a Soft Taco - either way, it's delicious and easy to make.  The secret to not heating up the kitchen?  Use a Crock-Pot!   Here are the basics: In addition to a crock pot and a large chicken breast you'll need: Taco Seasoning - this is my recipe Green Chilis - 7oz. can Salsa - 12oz. - about half a jar Tortillas Lettuce Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese Red Pepper Slices Sour Cream & any other toppings you like Instructions: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breast with taco seasoning. Place in the crock pot and add the salsa. Next add the can of green chilis. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.  Remove the chicken breast and shred with forks. Put the chicken back in the crock pot and stir. Let it cook for another hour.  Remove chick...

That's right, my friends.  While everyone else is excited about pumpkin spice, here at the Cottage, it's all about apples!  Now, don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against pumpkins, but if I had to choose, apples would win every single time! That's why I'm sharing with you my 3 favorite apple recipes.  They're easy and taste delicious!   First, and most important is my Applesauce Recipe .  Most important because I use it in place of vegetable oil.  Around here, we've stopped using most cooking oils including vegetable, sunflower, canola, etc.  The reason?  They are processed with Hexane, a chemical commonly extracted from petroleum and crude oil.  I've read the levels of it are safe, but, personally, I don't want any petroleum products (that are also used in glue, varnish, and ink) in the food I eat.   To make applesauce, all you need is a bag of apples, a half cup of brown sugar and a cup of water.  Cook them down and ...

  In spite of the very wet Summer, my tomatoes did well.  So well in fact, that there is an abundance of them.  Time to make them into a quick sauce - and I do mean quick .  How does 'less than 30 minutes' sound? This is what I started with - garden fresh Roma tomatoes complete with dirt.   Ignore the photo-bombing zucchini. They did well this year too, but that's a post for another day! In addition to your tomatoes, gather these ingredients: Oregano, Basil, Balsamic Vinegar, tomato paste, salt & pepper. You will also need some garlic: Wash and cut your tomatoes. This is a 10 cup bowl: Mince the garlic and saute it in some olive oil.  Add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Add: 2 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar 1-2 tsp. Oregano 1-2 tsp. Basil Salt & pepper to taste. I also add some sugar - again, to your taste.   Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.   Your sauce is done!  In case you're wondering, y...