reynolds wrap, wraps, photo by Jenny MacBeth

Grab-N-Go, Mexican Stuffed Wraps

 

This recipe was created for a Reynolds Wrap contest. Bummer, I didn’t win. Boo hiss. I’m over it, but WTH, right?

The contest instructed to create a recipe using four ingredients from a list of foods they supplied, and of course, use Reynolds Wrap.

You can double the recipe and freeze it for those the Grab-N-Go busy days. I freeze for up to two months. My guinea pigs (aka co-workers) sure did like’em. You really can’t screw up the taste when cream cheese is melted inside. Yummy!

reynolds wrap, wraps, photo by Jenny MacBethYou Need

1 ½ pounds of 95% lean ground beef
1 (15 oz) can of black beans, drained
2 ears of corn on the cob, remove kernels from cob
1 cup of onion, diced
1 tablespoons of chili powder
1 (15 oz.) can of tomato sauce
1 (4 oz.) can of green chiles
zest from 1 small lime
2 tablespoons of cilantro, chopped
1 (4 oz.) Philly cream cheese
10 Flour Tortillas
2 cups of Mexican cheese, shredded
10 pieces of Reynold’s Wrap

Let’s get started…

Preheat oven to 350.

Brown ground beef in large non-stick skillet over high heat. No need to drain beef if you use 95% fat free. Reduce heat to medium and add black beans, corn, onion, chili powder, tomato sauce, green chiles, lime zest, and cilantro.

Mix it all together, cover skillet, and let it cook for 5 minutes over med-high heat.

Add in cream cheese. Stir constantly over med-high heat until cream cheese is melted.

Cut off a large piece of Reynold’s Wrap. Spray both sides of tortilla shells with cooking spray, and place in the center of Reynold’s Wrap. Repeat until all the shells are stuffed.

Add 1/2 cup of ground beef mixture to the shell and sprinkle with Mexican cheese. Roll up the tortilla shells, tucking in the sides. Place face down. Roll up with Reynold’s Wrap.

Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. If you want to freeze a few, wrap it up as I mentioned, and put into a freezer bag. Grab one and cook it when you are ready to eat it.

Serve with salsa and sour cream and your favorite ale. Makes 10 tortillas.

So, I may not have won the contest, but I’d like to know what you think. Shoot me a message when you try it. Thank you.

 

 

final citrus ale summer pasta salad

Citrus Bluemoon Summer Ale Pasta Salad

 

This is definitely a unique and delicious pasta salad if I do say so myself. That, or it’s the two beers I drank whilst making this. Ha!

Tip

You can prepare everything in advance, however, mix it right before serving. Not sure why, but it tastes best the first day.

You may not want to use all the dressing. I suggest you gradually pour it while mixing your salad. You can decide how much is enough.

Salad Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup of Bluemoon Summer Ale
3 tablespoons of shallots, minced
1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest
1 tablespoon of honey
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons of EVOO
1 pound of your favorite pasta, I used Rotini
1/2 cup of green onions, chopped
1/2 cup of pecans, chopped
1/2 cup of Kalamata olives, seeded and chopped
1 cup of Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 can of oranges, drained
1 cup of Mozzarella cheese, grated
Sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Let’s get started…

Grab a beer or seven, and turn on Pandora.

The Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk the beer, shallot, orange zest, honey, mustard and oil. Or, if you have a shaker, that would be best. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste. This can refrigerate up to three days. I wouldn’t push it any longer. Homemade dressings can get funky, awfully quick. Especially, without having the added preservatives.

Removing the tomato centerWhen I use tomatoes in salads, I remove the center with a spoon. This helps to keep your salad from getting watery.

adding dressing to pasta saladIf you do not have time before serving, chop up everything ahead of time and store in your refrigerator. Right before serving, toss all your ingredients in a large bowl. Slowly pour the dressing over the top and mix it all together carefully.

adding cheese to pasta saladTop it off with Mozzarella cheese.

final citrus ale summer pasta saladDone! This salad does not take much time at all. Particularly, while drinking a beer.

You can also add in spinach or other vegetables. Play with it!

I would love to hear from you. Contact me because this girl likes to eat.

#gl2e

Top Secret’s Benihana Ginger Salad Dressing by Todd Wilbur

 

Recently, our friend Val sent in a request,

“Dear Girl, I just love the ginger dressing you get from Hibachi restaurants.  Any ideas?”

Why, yes I do! Whenever I eat at a Japanese restaurant, I look forward to the ginger dressing; always requesting extra. I even use the dressing for dipping crusty breads, and sometimes I use it to marinade my Sunday roast, or pork chops. Yummy!

I’ve never been to Benihana, but I have tried “Top Secret Recipes version of Benihana Ginger Salad Dressing” by Todd Wilbur. It is the best dressing. Even better than the average ginger salad found in your local Japanese restaurant.

It’s easy to put together. Todd’s instructions say to use a blender. With using a blender, I’ve found that you need to do a little fine chopping. However, since finding my Immersion Blender, I toss the roughly chopped ingredients into a pot and go at it with my handheld wonder stick. Less clean up too (our least favorite effort to cooking).

Todd has a ton of great recipes to try. You should check out Top Secret Recipes for lots of cool ideas and tips.

Hey Val! Let me know if you try it. This is definitely a win-win dressing.

You can find this recipe here: Top Secret Recipes version of Benihana Ginger Salad Dressing” by Todd Wilbur.