Name: Cheesy Chicken Vegetable Casserole
Yield: 5-6 people
Ingredients: 16 ounces fresh trimmed cauliflower (about 1 small head); 10 ounces fresh trimmed broccoli; 1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil; 6 medium boneless, skinless chicken thighs (19-20 ounces); 8 ounces mushrooms, thickly sliced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 can cream of mushroom soup (I used Campbell's); 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 tsp medium curry powder; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp black pepper; juice of 1/2 lemon; 2 cups cheddar cheese (about 7 ounces)

Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas

by Compelled to Cook | Apr 12, 2021 | BEEF | 0 comments

Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas

Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas are on regular rotation in my house. They’re not only quick and easy but tasty, family-approved and customizable. I like to use cheddar cheese and load mine up with fresh cilantro. But Monterey jack, spicy Mexican blend, or mozzarella cheese are also great options. Go ahead and be adventurous with the toppings too. Sour cream and salsa are always family favourites but also try diced avocado, taco sauce, pickled jalapeños, green onion…and the list goes on. But that’s what makes it fun and perfect for the whole family.

There’s a huge variety of tortillas available too. I like the flour and corn blend while my husband prefers plain flour. These are the basic options, you may want to try a multigrain, garden vegetable or sun-dried tomato tortilla. Again, there are lots of options to please everyone.

Sauteed beef, onions and green peppers in a cast iron skillet in preparation for Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas.

Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas ready to be folded in a skillet.

The black beans extend the ground beef, making these budget-friendly too. You can easily cut back on the ground beef further and sub in a few more black beans. I like just enough to give a little texture, fibre and added nutrition. I use drained and rinsed canned black beans out of convenience but you can certainly cook your own dried beans, which will reduce the cost further. Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas are a great weeknight meal for the whole family no matter how you stack them up. You’ll want them on regular rotation, enjoy!

Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas cut and stacked three high on a wooden plate, garnished with cilantro and lime.

Author: Compelled to Cook

Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas

Prep Time 35

Cook Time 20

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

1 tbsp canola oil plus more for tortillas
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup water
4 tbsp taco seasoning or 35g pkg
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
3/4 cup canned black beans, drained & rinsed
1/2 cup corn niblets
4 10" tortillas
2 cups grated cheddar cheese about 8 ounces
as needed chopped fresh cilantro optional
as needed salsa optional
as needed sour cream optional

Instructions

Heat oil in a medium skillet, add beef and cook until just starting to brown, breaking up larger pieces as it cooks. Drain or dab out any excess fat.
Add green pepper, onion and garlic. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables start to soften and beef is fully browned and cooked through.
Stir in water, taco season, and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium until liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes.
Stir in black beans and corn and heat until warm. Adjust salt to taste.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in 1/2 tsp of oil. Add one tortilla and sprinkle the entire tortilla with 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese (about 2 ounces). Spread approximately 1 cup of beef mixture evenly over half of the cheese-covered tortilla.
Allow to cook until the bottom of the tortilla is golden and the cheese is melted. Fold the tortilla in half and press gently to hold it together. Remove to a cutting board and cut into 3 wedges. Repeat with remaining tortillas and serve immediately with your favourite garnishes like sour cream and salsa.

Notes

Product Favourites!

Cheddar Jalapeño Muffins

by Compelled to Cook | Feb 22, 2021 | QUICK BREADS, SIDE DISH | 0 comments

Cheddar Jalapeño Muffins

Cheesy and spicy with crispy, golden edges make these tender Cheddar Jalapeño Muffins one of my favourites. I have made them more times than I can remember because I like them that much. They are the perfect accompaniment to chili, stew, tomato soup or green salad and so good about ten minutes out of the oven. Just long enough for them to cool down enough to handle but are still warm on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Baking ingredients being prepared for Cheddar Jalapeño Muffins with a muffin tin in the background.

This lovely recipe originates with one of my favourite food bloggers, Joy the Baker. Joy notes that you can bake these muffins with liners in the muffin tins. You certainly can, but trust me, you do not want to! I find it is best to generously butter non-stick muffin tins to achieve a wonderfully golden muffin bottom that is crispy and chewy when eaten while still slightly warm. They will pop right out of the muffin tins too. When using liners, the muffins need to cool completely before peeling away the liner, otherwise, they will stick and you’ll miss out on the best part. In a nutshell, it’s lots of butter, no liners!!

Freshly baked Cheddar Jalapeño Muffins on a wire rack..

Do not be skimpy on the cheese!! It will seem like a lot, and the batter will be thick with an abundance of cheese, but the result is a gloriously cheesy muffin. It is also important not to over mix the batter. This is a quick bread and does not require gluten development, so only mix the wet and dry ingredients until they are combined. The batter won’t be completely smooth and that’s okay. The cheese needs to be folded in last so it doesn’t clog up the whisk and make everything gummy. It’s a quick and easy recipe that freezes well too. Simply store cooled muffins in an airtight container or bag for up to a month. Allow to thaw and warm gently in the oven or microwave. They don’t retain their crisp exterior, but they’re still delicious. Enjoy!

Freshly baked Cheddar Jalapeño Muffins on a wooden serving board garnished with a pickled jalapeño.

Author: Compelled to Cook