Easy Tex Mex Food Network

TEX-MEX CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Combine the refried beans, frozen corn, poblanos, 1/4 cup cilantro, the cumin and chile powder in a medium bowl. Combine the salsa, tomatoes and the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro in a separate medium bowl. Toss the cheddar and muenster cheese in a third bowl; set aside.
• Spread about 1/2 cup of the salsa mixture in a thin layer in a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with about 6 tostada shells, breaking them as needed to cover the bottom. Spread half of the bean mixture over the tostada shells, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the cheese mixture and 1 cup of the salsa mixture. Repeat the layers (tostada shells, bean mixture, cheese, salsa mixture), then top with the remaining tostadas, cheese and salsa.
• Cover and cook on low, 4 hours. Uncover and let rest 15 minutes. Serve with the sliced avocados, sour cream, cilantro and pickled jalapenos.

TEX MEX MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the ground beef, bread crumbles, milk, cilantro, parsley, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Mix together well with your hands. Scoop out 1-tablespoon portions, then place 1 piece of cubed pepper jack into each portion and roll them into balls with your hands. Place the meatballs on the lined baking sheets and freeze for the meatballs to firm up, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in 5 batches of 25, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook, turning the meatballs to make sure they brown all over, 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels. Serve over rice, in tacos or as appetizers, recipes follow.
• To freeze: Put the cooked meatballs in a single layer on lined baking sheets and put in the freezer. Once frozen, divide them into freezer bags, about 25 per bag, and return them to the freezer.
• To reheat: Place the frozen meatballs on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.
• For meatballs over rice (8 servings): Divide 2 cups cooked rice among 8 serving plates. Top with 3 meatballs each, then spoon on 2 tablespoons salsa and 2 tablespoons sour cream on each. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and add a wedge of lime to each plate.
• For meatball tacos (8 servings): Warm 8 large soft corn tortillas in a microwave, about 30 seconds. Put one on each serving plate, then top each with 2 tablespoons shredded iceberg lettuce, 3 meatballs, 2 tablespoons grated Cheddar and 2 tablespoons pico de gallo. Fold up and serve.
• For meatball appetizers (25 meatballs): Pour 1 1/2 cups guacamole into a bowl. Put the bowl on a platter and surround the bowl with 25 meatballs. Stick toothpicks into some of the meatballs. Put some spare toothpicks in a container and put on the platter. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

EASY TEX-MEX CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper and turmeric. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and the spices are toasted, about 3 minutes.
• Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and green chiles, chicken and both bags of rice. Stir together and cook until the rice is heated through and beginning to absorb some of the liquid, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and sprinkle the pepper jack over the top. Cover with a lid and allow the cheese to melt completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle over the cilantro and serve.

SIMPLE TEX-MEX RICE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan.
• Heat over medium-high heat until water begins to boil.
• Cover saucepan with tight fitting lid, and reduce heat to low.
• Cook over low heat for 15 minutes without removing lid or stirring.
• After 15 minutes, remove lid and fluff rice with a fork.
• ~NOTE~The amount of taco seasoning can be adjusted to your taste. I use Penzey's "bold taco seasoning".

EASY TEX-MEX BRISKET

Steps:

• Place everything in the crockpot.
• Turn on high for 1 hour.
• Then low for 6-8.
• Let the meat cool slightly and then shred.
• Heat the tortillas on a grill pan and enjoy.