Taco Casserole

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

1/4 to 1/2 cup onion or green onion, chopped

1 can refried beans

2 cups mild salsa

1 package low sodium taco seasoning

4 cups broken tortilla chips, divided

1/4 cup sliced olives (opt)

2 medium tomatoes (opt)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.

Directions

Heat oven to 350.  Cook beef until thoroughly cooked. Add bell pepper and onion and cook for a couple of minutes.  Drain.  Stir in refried beans, salsa, and taco mix.  Place 2 1/2 cups broken tortilla chips in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Evenly spread the beef mixture on top.  Sprinkle olives,  cheese, and tomatoes on top.  Finish with remaining chips.  Bake uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes.  Top with lettuce, sour cream, extra salsa, guacamole, etc.

Browned Butter Caramels

I got this recipe from foodnessgracious.com, and it is the best caramel I've ever made.  The flavor is superior to regular homemade caramel.

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp butter
2 cups sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla

Grease an 8×8 pan.  Melt the butter and continue to cook until golden brown.  The darker the color, the richer the flavor, but be careful not to let it burn!  Once browned, add sugar, cream, and corn syrup. Cook until 245 degrees on a candy thermometer, more or less depending on altitude and chewiness desired.  I take mine off at 239 degrees.  Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour into prepared pan and cool.  Once cooled, cut into squares and wrap pieces.  Store in a covered container.  

French Bread

6 cups flour (bread flour is best)
2 Tbsp yeast
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 cups warm water
cornmeal
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 Tbsp water

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
2. On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3. Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.
4. Grease a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf.  Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.
5. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.

Cornbread

This is similar to the wonderful cornbread served at the BBQ Pit!  Moist, and cake-like.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 to 3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375.  Grease 8x8 pan.  Melt butter and add sugar.  Then add eggs and buttermilk and whisk.  Add cornmeal, flour, soda, and salt.  Whisk until few lumps remain.  Pour into prepared pan.  Bake 30-40 minutes (use the toothpick test).