Pork and Green Chilis Casserole

1 lb Ground pork (I use mild sausage and some beef.)
1 15 oz can beans (can use black, red, or pinto)
1 10.75oz can Cream of chicken soup
1 4oz can chopped Green chilis
1.5 c Salsa
1 c quick cooking Brown rice (I always just cook regular brown rice first)
1/4 c water (I omit because I cook the rice first)
1 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 c (I probably use more) Monterrey Jack/Cheddar Cheese on top

Cook pork, stir in all the other ingredients (minus cheese) and heat until just bubbly.Sprinkle cheese on top and bake, uncovered, in 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are bubbly.

Sweet and Sour Beef

Okay, so since I'm new to freezer meals, I'm not sure about exactly what works well to be frozen or not! But I'll try this yummy dish! It's super easy and delish.

1 lb stew beef cubes
1 can tomato sauce
8 oz water
a couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
1 lb baby carrots

Brown beef on high heat in small amount oil; add rest of ingredients, stir and cook covered on low for 2 hours. If frozen, thaw and warm up on low to medium heat until hot throughout. Serve over egg noodles. Enjoy!!

Recipes Needed

Hey girls, this is going great! Two things to remember, if you can:

1. Please post your intended recipe for any upcoming swaps so that we avoid duplicates. (My kids tend to appreciate variety, just like their mommy!) If you don't have time for the recipe, just put up the title so that we have a general idea, and
2. Just a shout out to Sonia -- that lasagna was way better than my recipe (which I never make). Can you post your lasagna recipe for us all?

I'm loving this, thanks so much! I'll see you all in just over a week!

October - Chicken Pot Pie

2 c chicken
garlic and onion to taste
1/2 c sour cream
1/3 c mayo
1/2-3/4 c milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 c cooked, diced potatoes
steamed bag or two of mixed veggies
homemade crust

Saute first three ingredients. Combine remaining ingredients (except crust). Pour into 8 x 8 pan. Freeze.
Freeze crust separately. Defrost, top pie filling with crust, bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until filling is bubbly around edges.

Chicken Spaghetti (Mid-month)

Those of ya'll who wanted this already got it- but it's:
Chicken, mushrooms, spaghetti, cream mushroom soup, sour cream, pimentos, and parmesan, with a sprinkling of paprika. Definitely a casserole and I was craving it. :)

Bake at 350:
- Uncovered for 30 minutes if room temperature (completely thawed out).
- Covered for 30 minutes (or so) then uncovered for another 30 minutes (or so) until completely hot.
The top layer of sketti gets a little crunchy when it's done!

Thoroughly Enjoying This!

The Quinns are really enjoying the first month of this dinner exchange! It has given me the freedom to watch kids for Baby Bucks, enjoy the autumn beauty before dinner time, and read good books with Elia and Wes during a time when they need lots of snuggles and attention (again, before dinner time)!

Thank you all for the effort you put into your meal! They've all been very tasty and appreciated!

Mushroom and Swiss Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Cajun-style seasoning
• 1 cup chopped green onion
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
• 4 slices Swiss cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Combine oil and garlic in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add chicken breasts and coat well with the oil and garlic. Sprinkle with the vinegar and Cajun seasoning.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
4. Remove chicken from oven and cover with green onion and mushrooms; then add a few more sprinkles of oil and vinegar and return dish to oven for 15 to 20 minutes more. Remove from oven and immediately place 1 slice of cheese on top of each chicken breast; cheese will melt. Serve immediately.

**Of course, I modified the recipe for the freezer and used bone-in chicken, but this is one of our favorite recipes. I hope all you gals love it, too.

Meat Loaf - October

2 eggs
1/4 c ketchup
1/4 c water
1/2 c minced onion
1 T barbecue sauce
1 t salt
1 c crackers
2 lbs ground beef

Beat the eggs in a bowl. Blend in ketchup, water, onions, barbecue sauce, salt and crackers. Add ground beef and mix together. Place in a loaf pan and bake, covered with foil, at 350 degrees for one hour. Drain liquid halfway through and again at the end.

Remove foil and coat the top with glaze. Broil until the glaze bubbles.

Glaze: ketchup, brown sugar and mustard.