Taco Soup

A hearty soup, perfect for winter. I got the idea from work... but I'm a meat-eater so this recipe uses the good stuff. :-) No soy crumbles here! Also a good alternative to a traditional chili if you're sick of the same 'ole! Super easy, filling, and well-rounded meal you can throw in the crock pot before work!

Taco Soup via Food Network:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/taco-soup-recipe/index.html

Mexican Rice

Not Spanish rice... but Mexican rice, via Eva Longoria. Who knew she could cook?! I bought her cookbook awhile back and so far the things I have tried out of it have been good. This was a good accompanamient to my chicken enchiladas, a classic side. I would prefer a little more fluffy, less sticky, next time. Need to work on that textural aspect! I did leave out the chicken, there was plenty of chicken in my enchiladas that went with this. In my opinion, the best Mexican/Spanish rice is Cuca's in Redlands... preferably the downtown Redlands one. The most light and fluffy. It tastes like the use a peanut oil, maybe we will try that next time.  :-)

Mexican Rice via Eva's Kitchen:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=13291342

Best Lasagna Ever + Oven-Roasted Asparagus

This was the last meal I cooked in my Redlands apartment before the big move to San Jose. It didn't disappoint! This is also one of those great meals that you can make ahead. The lasagna was equally as good the next day. This was paired with some Yellowtail Bubbles Champagne & Peach Cobbler, (recipe to follow.) Hopefully I can find a Norcal crew that will be equally as appreciative of my cooking. Parting is such sweet sorrow!

The Best Lasagna Ever via the Pioneer Woman:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_lasagn/

Oven-Roasted Asparagus via the Pioneer Woman:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/11/oven-roasted-asparagus/

Ratatouille's Ratatouille

Can I just start this one off by telling you that Ratatouille is probably my second most favorite Disney movie EVER?! ...right behind Cinderella! If you haven't seen it, you must. SO CUTE! As much as ratatouille's origins are that of a peasant dish... how can you resist this?! It is so beautiful and delicious. I used this as a perfect side for my Dad's braised beef short rib birthday dinner extraordanaire. There were NO leftovers! I omitted the goat cheese topping, only because I had goat cheese in the polenta that was served with this meal. If I had made this stand alone, I definitely would have included the goat cheese. Stay tuned for a creative and tasty idea for what to do with your leftover ratatouille veggies...

P.S. Mom: Thanks for the shiny, new Corningware! You knew I would put it to good use!

Ratatouille's Ratatouille via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/07/rat-a-too-ee-for-you-ee/