Food, Glorious Food

I am guessing this is what my kids felt like before I learned to cook . . . :-)

NO, my blog is not going to turn into a food blog -- but I just HAD to share these marvelous recipes.

I CAN cook.

Who knew? It was not my inability to make something taste good -- it was my lack of proper ingredients. I used to try and come up with something glorious from nothing -- it just does not work that well. I would sometimes try and be "creative" but it rarely turned out yummy.

Now I know I can do it. I want to try MORE! Cooking has become enjoyable, even FUN! (I always wondered why some women looked so happy in the kitchen!)

Now I know!

I'm starting to feel like the happy homemaker that I have always wanted to be. ;-)

There is a different feeling when you prepare something you know will be good and present it to the family. There is a sense of new-found confidence that I did not have before.

I have created food this last week that everyone was happy with and Charles especially enjoyed. Dinner has been an experience with new flavors, and we have all become awake while eating instead of sleeping through the same old stuff.

Life just seems full of all sorts of possibilities now!

My new favorite ingredient is CILANTRO. It is so yummy. It makes such a fantastic difference!

Below was last night's specialty . . .

Note: I used black beans and smashed them, rather then the called for refried beans. It was SUPER especially with the lime squeezed on top! It smelled excellent while cooking.

Southwestern Beef & Bean Burger Wraps

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/southwestern_beef_bean_burger_wraps.html

From EatingWell: January/February 2007

Kids and adults alike will love these quick, zippy burgers. The beans make the burgers a little fragile, so be careful when taking them off the broiler pan. Make it a meal: Serve a green salad and frozen mango slices for dessert.

4 servings | Active Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 ounces 93%-lean ground beef
• 1 cup refried beans
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapenos
• 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1/2 cup prepared salsa
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 whole-wheat tortillas, warmed (see Tip)
• 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
• 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges

Preparation

1. Position oven rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray.
2. Gently combine ground beef, beans, cilantro and jalapenos in a medium bowl (do not overmix). Shape into four 5-by-2-inch oblong patties and place on the prepared pan.
3. Broil the patties until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F, 12 to 14 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, mash together avocado, salsa and garlic powder in a small bowl.
5. Place tortillas on a clean work surface. Spread each with the guacamole, then sprinkle with lettuce and cheese. Top each with a burger and roll into a wrap. Serve immediately, with lime wedges.