Growing up meal time was a "fend for yourself" time. Generally. We did have meals together. Sometimes. As a general rule if you were hungry, you found something to eat or went hungry. After getting were married, I remember my husband asking me what we were going to have for dinner. To me it seemed a funny question. I told him I was going to have cereal and asked him what he was planning to eat. It seemed a perfectly logical to me. (I should say here that my husband was one of six children and they ate nightly meals together). He asked in his very sweet way, “Don’t you think we should make something and eat together?” I was baffled. After all, it wasn’t a birthday, Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving. It was a regular
day. It wasn’t even Sunday. “Seriously?” was my response. Probably not what the poor guy wanted to hear. The next night we had meatloaf. I was very proud of myself. It was a regular day, and I had cooked dinner. Again my sweet husband asked (so kindly as to not offend), “Do you think we should have
something with the meatloaf…like potatoes, rice or corn?” “SERIOUSLY???” I had just cooked a main course, which to me was a big deal. The idea that he thought there should perhaps be more on the table was totally foreign. We’ve come along way since then. I now usually cook a nightly meal, not to mention making breakfast & lunches. Cooking has become something I usually enjoy. We are busy with 3 children so meals have to either be very simple and fast, or planned ahead of time. And yes, we do still have cereal for dinner every now and again.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

California Zucchini Bake

1 lb. Ground beef (or Turkey burger)
3 each Zucchini, sliced thin
¼ cup Green Onions, sliced
¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 teaspoon Chili Powder
4 ounce Green Chilies, diced
3 cups Rice, cooked
1 cup Sour Cream
2 cups Cheese (I omit the cheese, but sprinkle a bit on top of half the casserole for my family)
about ½ - 1 teaspoon Salt
about ¼ teaspoon Pepper

Sauté the beef, zucchini, green onions, salt, garlic powder and chili powder in a lightly greased skillet until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender crisp, stirring frequently.  Add green chilies, rice, sour cream and 1 cup of cheese.  Turn into a greased shallow 2-quart casserole.  Arrange tomato slices on top and season with salt and pepper.  Top with remaining cheese.  Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese browns.

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