Innie or Outie

Crockpot Paella Gone Wrong

We’ve all had an occasion when, even with the best of intentions, the dish just goes horribly wrong. A car breaks down, traffic is outrageous and unrelenting, a late last minute meeting at the office, or whatever – you get stuck far away from the cooking crockpot meal. Well this is one of those dishes when I couldn’t get to it in time and the crockpot just kept steaming the rice until I ended up with a Crockpot Paella Mushy Mess:

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But that doesn’t mean it can’t be saved, Baked Crockpot Paella:

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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Place the mushy mess in a small paella pan (or pie dish) and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the paella from the oven and using a fork turn the mixture. Return to the oven and bake for 15 more minutes.

Remove from oven, sprinkle with approximately ½ cup crushed tortilla chips for added texture, ½ teaspoon capers, and freshly snipped parsley.

Serve with a salad of fresh crunchy salad greens and veggies (such as radishes) dressed with a vinaigrette.

Texiken Pasta

Guacamole flavored tortilla chips (crushed)
3 chicken breasts (precooked and sliced in bite-sized pieces)
1 large bell pepper (diced)
1/2 large onion (diced)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 small can sliced mushrooms
1 can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon red pepper powder
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic paste
4 slices sandwich-style cheddar cheese
Grated parmesan cheese
Dried parsley flakes
Cravattine or farfalle (bow) pasta

Preheat oven to 250 degrees centigrade.
Line the bottom of a 10 x10 x 3 inch slightly greased casserole dish with a thin layer of the tortilla chips.
Combine chicken, bell pepper, onion, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, mushrooms, tomatoes, red pepper, white pepper, and garlic paste in a large bowl. Pour mixture over tortilla chips in casserole dish. Place in oven and cook for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, remove casserole from oven, top with cheddar cheese slices, put back in oven and cook for another 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to directions.

Place drained pasta into serving bowls, top with casserole, sprinkle with desired amount of parmesan cheese, and then sprinkle with parsley. Serve

This recipe is simple and tasty!!!

Hearty Refried Bean Soup

1 medium carrot (sliced)
1/2 medium onion (sliced)
1/2 cup sliced canned mushrooms
1/2 pound hamburger
1 tablespoon minced garlic paste
2 tablespoons dried cilantro flakes
Two 16 ounce cans chicken broth
Two 16 ounce cans refried beans
Sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
Parmesan cheese (grated)
Guacamole flavored tortilla chips (crushed)

Mince carrot, onion, and mushrooms in food processor. Place hamburger in crock pot, top with carrot/onion/mushroom mixture. Add chicken stock and cilantro flakes. Cover and cook on high for three hours, stirring occasionally.

After three hours, thoroughly mix in refried beans. Cover and cook for one-half hour.

Serve in individual bowls topped with cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, and parmesan cheese.

This is a great on-the-go breakfast or snack!!!

Spicy Breakfast Burrito

1/4 small bell pepper
1/8 small onion
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 slice bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 slice American-style cheddar cheese
One 10 inch or two 6 inch tortilla(s)
White pepper
Salsa

Mince bell pepper, onion, and bacon in a food processor. Then sauté bell pepper/onion/bacon mixture in olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat.

Meanwhile mix egg and milk in a bowl with fork or whisk. Add enough pepper to taste.
When onions are translucent, pour egg mixture into frying pan. Let brown, then turn over once with spatula.

While omelet is cooking, place cheese in center of tortilla(s) and heat uncovered in microwave for approximately 30 seconds each. (If using 6 inch tortillas, split cheese slice in half then place one half in each tortilla.)

Place finished omelet in center of tortilla (slice omelet in half if using 6 inch tortillas), spoon desired amount of salsa on top, and fold the tortilla burrito style.

If on-the-go, simply wrap the burrito in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.