South of the Border Enchiladas

Lydia with really impressed with these!

Serves 8 - 10

1 can (28 0z) whole tomatoes, undrained
1 large onion or two medium onions, halved

2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 Tablespoons dried cilantro
2 teaspoons honey
1/8 teaspoons cayenne pepper
3 cups cooked pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 large bell pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 pkg 8" flour tortillas
1 cup Mexican cheese blend, or half cheddar half Monterey Jack

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 9" by 13" baking dish.

Place tomatoes, onion and garlic in blender or food processor. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into a 3 quart pot and add the honey, cayenne pepper, and 1 Tablespoon cilantro. Cook over medium heat 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. In baking dish, spread enough tomato sauce to cover the bottom.

Combine beans, ricotta cheese, bell pepper, cumin, remaining 1 Tablespoon cilantro and 1/2 cup cheese. Spoon about 1/3 cup down the center of a tortilla, and roll up, placing seam side down in baking dish. When tortillas are filled, pour remaining tomato sauce over them. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until tomato sauce is bubbly and cheese is thoroughly melted.

Mexican Manicotti

We served this for company and everyone had seconds!
I doubled this recipe and did not double the meat. I think it would have been just as good if I had left the meat out altogether. No one would have noticed.

Serves 8

1 pound ground turkey
1 (16 oz) can refried beans
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 package manicotti shells
2 1/2 cups water
1 (19 oz) can enchilada sauce
1 (16 oz) jar picante sauce
2 cups sour cream
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
sliced olives -- optional

In a bowl, combine, combine the uncooked turkey, beans, green chilies, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Spoon into uncooked manicotti shells. This can be somewhat complicated. It works best if you use a pastry bag or a regular plastic bag with a hole in the corner. You don't want to spend all day on this part! Arrange the shells in a greased 9" by 13" baking dish. Combine water, picante sauce and enchilada sauce, and pour over the shells. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Touch the shells and if they are not yet soft, bake another 15 minutes. Uncover. Spread sour cream over the top and sprinkle with cheese, green onions and olives. Continue baking another 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Broccoli Tuna Bake

Serves: 8

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
3 (6 ounce) cans solid albacore tuna in water, drained and flaked
3 cups cooked rice
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (16 ounce) package frozen broccoli, thawed
2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place broccoli in a pot with about an inch of water and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon. Save 1 cup of this vitamin rich water.

Combine saved broccoli water with lemon juice, soup, milk, broth and pepper. Stir in tuna and rice. Transfer to a greased 8" square dish.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Top with broccoli, sprinkle with cheese, and continue baking for 5 -10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Spinach Turkey Delight

Very tasty!

Serves: 8-10
1 pound ground turkey
1 large or 2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (4 ounce) cans mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 (10 3/4) ounce can condensed cream of celery soup
2 cups sour cream
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Italian blend cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large skillet, brown turkey with onion and garlic. Add mushrooms and seasonings and stir well. Stir in spinach, soup, sour cream, and mozzarella cheese.

Transfer to a greased 9" by 13" pan. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and continue baking 5 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted.

Serve hot. In the photo it is served with pirogies. We found we also like it as a dip with crackers.