Make Ahead Chimichangas

Here is my version of Chimichangas that you can make ahead and put in the freezer. I wrap each one in foil and put in a freezer bag. When its time to make them just remove however many you need and place on a cookie sheet to bake without having to thaw.

Chimichangas

1lb of ground beef

1 can of refried beans

1 jar (16 oz.) of salsa

1 envelope of taco seasoning

16 oz. of shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or whatever you would prefer)

16 flour tortillas

Brown your meat, then combine the next four ingredients including cheese in the skillet. Stir to combine. Place the meat mixture in a tortilla then fold the sides in first before rolling it so its like a burrito. (I use 2 small cookie scoops per tortilla) Wrap in small piece of foil and place in freezer bag.

When ready to cook place foil packet directly from the freezer on to your baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes until heated through and a little crispy. Another way to prepare is to thaw, unwrap and fry in a small layer of oil.

Enjoy!

Posted By Taraleigh

Menu Planning Tips

I received these tips from the Busy-Moms-Tips that are sent to me from Yahoo Groups. You can sign up to receive these tips yourself, but you must have a Yahoo Account. Hopefully these tips will help us all in our desire to become better cooks for our families and friends. Enjoy!

• Variety - Plan several days or a week of meals at a time. This will help you avoid repeating foods too often.
• Color - Think about all the different colors of foods. Colorful meals are more appealing. For example, color in foods such as orange and green fruits and vegetables can indicate the presence of vitamin A.
• Texture - Include foods that are crunchy, chewy, and smooth. This will add interest to the meal.
• Aroma - Prepare foods that smell good. Baking bread, cooking with spices such as cinnamon, and sautéing onions are examples of aromas that will stimulate appetites.
• Portions - Serve portions that are inline with MyPyramid recommendations (www.mypyramid.gov).
• Arrangement - Pay attention to how food looks on the plate. It should look good, delicious and appealing.
• Choice – Select foods you know your family will eat and are within your budget. Don't be afraid to try new things.

Posted by Debi