Taco Seasoning

Matt loves tacos.  I am not such a huge fan but I have started taking a little more care in how I make them. 

I get the same size jars of each:
chili powder
ground cumin
garlic powder
onion powder

Dumb all jars into a zip lock bag and mix.  I usually taste it and then add salt.  You can also add red pepper flakes if it isn't spicy enough for your family.  It is good enough for us without it.  This lasts for a long time and I use it in chili also and what ever else sounds good.

Skillet Spaghetti

7 oz. pkg. thin spaghetti noodles
1 ground beef or Sausage
salt and pepper
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/4 c. sour cream
8 oz. cottage cheese
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Cook spaghetti noodles and drain.  Cook meat.  I cooked the meat in my big cast iron skillet.  Drain the meat then add the cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese until all is melted and well mixed together.  Then add sauce.  Start with half a jar and see how much more you want.  Add the spaghetti mix well all together and top with cheese.  Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.

Beef Carnitas

This is one of my most favorite meals, and it is so easy! When we order our meat they always look at me funny when I tell them I don't want very many roasts just make them in to stew meat.
2 lbs. lean beef stew meat
1 cup mild salsa
2 Tablespoons chopped chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 can beef broth

Combine all ingredients in a large slow cooker cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve on warm flour tortillas with avocados, salsa, cheese and sour cream.
I make Mrs Vigil's tortillas with these. (in the bread section)
2 lbs of stew meat will feed my little family with just a little left over so you might want to do it with 3lbs or more if you have a bigger family. You can get the chipotle chili peppers and just get a few out then you can freeze the rest for another time.