Black Bean Tuna Melts

Ingredients:

1 (15 0z) can black beans, drained & rinsed

2 (5 oz) cans of tuna in water, drained

1/2 white onion, diced

1/2 tsp dry dill

2 dashes of hot sauce

1/2-1 cup of shredded colby-jack cheese

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

*sliced rye bread*

*butter or margarine*

* Combine rinsed black beans, drained tuna, diced onion, dry dill, hot sauce, shredded cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt & pepper in a mixing bowl with a fork.

* Heat griddle or grill to medium heat, and prepare sliced rye bread with butter or margarine for grilling.

* Place one slice of rye bread, butter side down, on griddle.

* Top with tuna mixture.

* Cover with a second slice of rye bread, butter side up.

* Cook on both sides until golden brown, about a minute on each side.

Hint: My husband and one of my sons added an additional slice of American cheese on to their sandwiches as I was loading our griddle. Big success at our house! A great alternative to traditional salad dressing with salad dressing or mayo.

Kicked-Up Cornbread

My husband loves Jiffy corn muffin mixes. Quick, simple, easy to use and very consistent.

Last week when we made a big crock-pot of ham & beans for dinner, I took on the task of making the cornbread. What is ham & beans without cornbread?

I'm not sure if it was more out of curiosity or boredom, but I decided to add some extras to the cornbread batter.

I wasn't going to tell my family, I wanted to see if anyone would notice. At the last minute I chickened out and told on myself.

Holey moley, you would have thought I broke the law! They complained and carried on as if it was the end of the world. I messed with their cornbread and they were not happy...not happy at all.

Well, until they ate it!

It was delicious!!

I added:

* 1 1/2 tsp hot sauce

* 1/2 cup shredded colby-jack cheese

* 1 TBS southwestern seasoning

That added to the batter, then allowed to rest 10 minutes prior to baking as directed on the package - and viola! Kicked-Up Cornbread was an absolute success!

This recipe is linked up to Friday Food - Click on the MomTrends for more of this weeks recipes!!

7 Layer Salad

Sometimes my boys grumble when I tell them we will be eating salad. Not always though, they absolutely love eating this 7 Layer Salad!

I think the first time we ever tasted it was at a Church Potluck dinner. Now they ask for it as a main course on the dinner menu.

So easy and so delicious!

Ingredients:

1 - lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
2 - red onion, diced
3 - green peas (frozen, thawed tastes best)
4 - cauliflower, diced to bite size pieces
5 - salad dressing or mayonnaise, sprinkled with dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
6 - shredded cheddar cheese
7 - crumbled bacon pieces

Layer in a refrigerator safe dish with a lid. Prepare in advance, and allow to chill in fridge up to 4 hours prior to serving.

Corned Beef & Cabbage

Corned beef is one of my favorite foods. This recipe I found a few years back and have used it faithfully whenever I want to cook this meal for my family. I cook it in my crock-pot even though it was originally written to be cooked on the stove top in a stock pot.

I hope your family enjoys this as much as we do! Happy St. Patrick's Day!!



Ingredients:

3 small onions, cut in wedges
1 lb. baby carrots
3 lb. corned beef brisket with seasoning packet
1/2 c. vinegar (malt is best, I use white)
1/2 c. Irish stout
1 lb. small red potatoes
1 medium cabbage, cut into wedges
*water*

* Layer ingredients into crock-pot with the carrots, onions, and potatoes on the bottom. Corned beef next, and cabbage wedges on top.

* Add vinegar and stout with seasoning packet.

* Add enough water to crock-pot to just cover corned beef. (Cabbage will not be covered in liquid.)

* Cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve with rolls and dijon mustard. Enjoy!

Hint: Looking for something to do with the leftovers? Try these Reuben Quesadillas.

Meatball Subs

Ingredients:

1 package frozen, Italian style meatballs

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can stewed tomatoes, undrained

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 1/2 TBS balsamic vinegar

1 small can tomato sauce

1 medium red onion, cut into rings

*Ciabatta rolls*

*provolone cheese slices*

*banana peppers*

* Combine meatballs, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce, and red onion in crock-pot. Cook on low 4-5 hours.

* Serve on warm ciabatta rolls with a slice of provolone cheese.

* I enjoyed mine with banana pepper rings on top...so yummy!