Mexican Lasagna

This awesome dish (accidentally created as an emergency Kidzone dish) is EASY. You can personalize it as you wish!!!

I make it in my crock pot, but I'll do a small version for you here, since most people don't need to feed an army every night!!!

1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 can Rotel tomatoes (I use mild)
1 can Ranch style beans
1 can Wolf Brand chili
5 flour tortillas, cut into about 6 or 8 pieces
1 cup cheddar or monterrey or american cheese (velveeta works well)

In a medium bowl, mix ground beef, rotel, beans, and chili.

1.Cover the bottom of a casserole dish with the mix.
2.Spread single layer of tortilla over it.
3.Sprinkle cheese on top.
Repeat 1-3 until all ingredients are used. Bake at 350F for 30 min.

Can add sauted onions & mushrooms, picante sauce, black olives, etc...try different things...you can't go wrong with these basic ingredients!

Oh, and you can substitute chicken instead of ground beef. It will appear to be a totally different dish!!!

Treats and Sweets

My 2 favorite recipes (today):

Best Dough in the World...can be used for pizzas, kolaches, or just a crescent-type roll
12 rolls, or 2 med pizzas

1 egg
1/2 cup mik, warm (microwave 45 sec)
4 cups flour (bread flour works best)
1/2 cup sugar (can use less)
pinch of salt
1 stick of butter/margarine, sliced
1 Tablespoon yeast

I use a bread machine, on the "first rise" setting, then use the dough as desired..pizza dough doesn't have to rise again, but rolls or kolaches need a 2nd rise, about 20-30 min.

If you don't have a bread machine, try working the dough for about 5 minutes, then let it rest about 15 minutes. Knead again for about 5 minutes, then rest for about an hour.

If using it for pizza, divide in half and use pie pans (be sure to spray with Pam). top with spaghetti sauce, mozarella, and your favorite toppings. Be sure to NOT overload it...you want it to cook thoroughly:) Oh...bake in 425F oven for 10 min.

For rolls or kolaches, pat out the dough. I prefer patting it into a circle, then slicing it like a pizza, into 12 parts. Then you can sprinkle cheddar, mozz, provolone, or american and a little turkey, ham, sausage or beef...and roll it up, starting with the big end (outer edge).

Place rolls on Pam-sprayed cookie sheet. Let rise for about 20-30 min.

Bake in preheated 350F oven for 7-8 min, until golden brown.

Meringue Cookies (small batch...I've made a quadrupled batch before and it didn't affect it)

2 egg whites
1/2 c. sugar
pinch of cream of tartar
3/4 c plain m&m's or choc chips (I use Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips (red bag) or Andes original baking chips (green bag)...I've only
seen them at Walmart...but any baking chips would be good:)

Beat eggs whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually beat in sugar to make a stiff
meringue. Fold in m&m's. Drop mixture by from a spoon onto greased & floured cookie sheet.
Garnish each with an m&m, if desired. Bake at 250F for 30 minutes, or until cookies are
firm to the touch, but still white. Cool on wire rack. Store tightly covered.

Enjoy!!!