Taco Bake

This taco bake will please those that like a milder Mexican dish.  It has some of the spices but sour cream and cream cheese both work to make it a creamier hot dish.  I use my own taco seasoning so if you use some from a package, adjust the salt and pepper accordingly.

 

Taco Bake

1# extra lean ground beef, seasoned and browned

2 tbsp taco seasoning

1 cup tomato sauce

3 cups cooked macaroni noodles

1 cup sour cream

8 oz cream cheese

2 tbsp milk

1 cup shredded Mexican 4 cheese blend

In your frying pan, add the taco seasoning, tomato sauce and sour cream to the browned ground beef and stir until completely mixed.  Put the cooked macaroni noodles in the bottom of a greased 13 x 9 pan.  Microwave the cream cheese and milk for 1 minute and stir until completely blended.  Spread over macaroni noodles.  Top with the taco beef mixture and spread evenly over the cream cheese.  Top with the shredded cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes at 350°

Taco Seasoning

1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp  oregano
1 tsp pepper, freshly ground
1/2 tsp salt

Place in a sealable plastic bag or container that's airtight and mix well.

Peach Kuchen Bars

This was my first attempt to make a kuchen and it turned out very good.  Next time, I will be making the original kuchens that are popular here in North Dakota.  They make them sooo good out in the middle regions of the state.  If ever traveling through, stop in a small town and head to their grocery stores for kuchen and sausage.  I chose peach because it’s my favorite but you can use any of your favorite fruits. 

 

Peach Kuchen Bars

Crust –

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

2 cups flour

Mix together and spread out over a greased 13 x 9 x 2 pan.  It’s easiest to lightly wet your fingers for spreading the dough.  Make sure to make an rim along the edges of the pan to hold the custard filling.

Thaw 1 package (16 oz) of frozen peach slices.  Cut each slice in half (lengthwise) and place evenly over the crust.

Custard –

4 large eggs

½ cup sugar

2 tbsp flour

2 cups whipping cream

Stir together and pour over the peaches.  Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the custard.  Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until custard is set. 

Nutella Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

What better way to brighten up a cold and snowy day than with a luxurious chocolate dessert….this one will definitely do that and it’s easy to make.  I had a fresh jar of Nutella on my counter so I decided to add that to my recipe.  I used dark cocoa since that’s all I have on hand but regular will work just as well.

 

Nutella Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Bottom layer ~

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp dark cocoa (I used King Arthur Flour Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa)
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp canola oil

1/3 cup Nutella

Mix together in a bowl and spread into a greased 9 x 9 pan.

Top with ~

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup dark cocoa

Combine in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the batter.  Pour 1 3/4 cup of hot water on top.  Bake for 45 minutes at 350°.