Mexican Stuffed Peppers for 2

Ingredients

One package of tri-colored peppers (I chose red, yellow, and orange)

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion

1 taco seasoning mix packet

1 package of stove-top mexican style rice (I used a fajita flavored kind)

1 small can of refried beans (about 1/2 cup is needed)

1 cup shredded colby jack cheese (plus a handful extra to sprinkle on top)

Desired toppings (sour cream, salsa, etc...)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven for 375*. Prep your peppers by cutting out the stem and seeds, making a whole in the top. Next, you are going to blanch them by putting them into a pot of boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Run them under cold water when they are done and set them aside temporarily. While you have your knife out, you can also chop your onion into small pieces and set this aside as well. Cry accordingly (the onions get me every time).

2. Get that rice going! The rice packet I bought took 7 minutes to cook on the stovetop, so follow the directions on the package and let that cook while you continue on with the next step.

3. Brown your meat on the stove. Follow the directions on the taco seasoning packet, draining the meat and adding water and the seasoning packet. At this time, also add in your onions, refried beans, and shredded cheese, mixing everything together until blended well (it looks grosser than it's going to taste, I promise!)

4. Once your meat and rice are both ready, combine them into one pot or bowl. Mix them together.

5. Set your peppers upright in a baking dish. Scoop your meat and rice mixture into each pepper, overflowing if needed (you may have extra filling, if this is the case, feel free to use an additional pepper or just scoop the extra filling into the bottom of the dish to add to your plates). Add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the pan to help add moisture during the baking process. Cover the baking dish with either a lid or aluminum foil. 

6. Cook peppers in the oven for 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven, take off lid, and sprinkle cheese on top of each pepper. Place back in oven for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

7. Plate up your peps and serve with desired toppings (we used sour cream and salsa with ours!). Delicioso!!

with faith, love, & coffee,

kellie ann

♥

Homemade Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)

1/3 cup water

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Heat oven to 350*. Grease bottom only of 9-inch loaf pan. Mix sugar and margarine in bowl. Stir in eggs until blended. Add bananas and water; beat 30 seconds. Stir in remaining ingredients except chocolate chips just until moistened; stir in chocolate chips. Pour into pan. Bake until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (about 55-60 minutes). Cool 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!

[1 loaf/approx 24 slices: ~120 calories per slice]

with faith, love, & coffee,

kellie ann

♥

Cheesy Jalapeno Burgers & Sweet Potato Fries

It's recipe time!! I actually had a little bit of a break this weekend from work & coaching basketball (thank you MLK!) to give my husband a break from the fabulous meals he's been cooking and to have dinner ready for him when he gets home from work! I spent some time on Pinterest to find some recipes, and this is one I made last night. It was quick, easy, and delicious! J even took the two extras I had made to work today for lunch (that must means he approved ☺).

Ingredients

~1 lb ground beef chuck

small can diced jalapenos

1/2 container of chive & onion cream cheese

pepper jack cheese

kaiser rolls

salt & pepper

anything else you like on your burger (lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup/mustard, etc...)

2 sweet potatoes

olive oil

seasonings (I used paprika, cumin, and chili powder)

Sweet Potato Fries Directions

These healthy version of fries are super simple to make. Preheat oven to 400*. Slice sweet potato into circles or wedges (either way works). Toss in bowl and mix with olive oil and seasonings. Throw onto a pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. That's it!

Cheesy Jalapeno Burgers Directions

1. Combine meat, jalapenos, and cream cheese into bowl. You can either mix the ingredients by kneading them together with your hands, or I used my KitchenAid Mixer on low (mostly because I haven't had a chance to use it yet and I was excited to!).

2. Form the meat mixture into patties (mine made 4 decent sized ones- you could probably get 6 out if it if you wanted to).

3. Toss them on the George Foreman grill (or outside grill or skillet on the stove- I used my GF today) for 4-5 minutes. Add pepperjack cheese and let melt and then remove from grill. Place them onto toasted kaiser rolls with whatever burger toppings you love, and enjoy! Yummmmmy!!

I promise it tasted better than it looks :)

with faith, love, & coffee,

kellie ann

♥