Quick Tex Mex Goulash

1/2 lb. elbow macaroni
1 lb ground sirloin
1 small onion, finely diced
2 c. tomato juice
1 pkg McCormick's Taco Seasoning
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can sweet corn, drained
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
sour cream
sliced black olives
chopped green onions

Prepare the macaroni according to the package instructions.

(Note: Do not rinse the noodles. The starch left on them helps bind the goulash so it doesn't get too runny.)

Saute the sirloin and onion in a skillet until the meat is brown and the onions become translucent.

Drain the fat off. Add tomato juice and the taco seasoning to the meat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 10 min.

In a large pot, combine the noodles, meat mixture, corn, beans, and shredded cheese. Allow this to simmer for about 20 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted. You may need to add up to a cup more of the tomato juice if it's too dry.

To serve: place a helping of goulash on a plate then garnish with sour cream, black olives, and green onions.

Crock Pot Tamale Pie

Cornbread topping:

--3/4 cup cornmeal

--1 1/4 cup flour (I used Pamela's baking mix)

--1 cup milk

--1/4 cup sugar

--1 egg

--1 t baking powder (only if not using Pamela's or similar gluten free baking mix that already has baking powder added)

The Filling.

I chose to make this vegetarian. You, however, can add 1lb of your favorite browned meat if you'd like.

--1 can drained and rinsed black beans

--1 can fire roasted tomatoes

--1 can drained corn

--1 T chili powder

--1 t cumin

--1/2 t paprika

--1/4 cup diced onion (I had some leftover in the fridge from a previous dish)

--1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

The Directions.

Spray your crockpot with cooking spray. Dump in the filling ingredients--cheese, too!-- and stir well to distribute the spices. You will not be able to stir this again, so please check to see that the spices aren't in a clump anywhere.

In a separate bowl, mix together the cornbread topping. When finished, pour evenly over the filling, spreading with a spatula if needed.

Cover and cook on low for 4-7 hours or on high for 2-4. I was shocked at how quickly this cooked. I set it on low and expected it to take about 8, but it was all brown and golden and perfectly crispy at the 6hr mark.

Caramel Corn

1/2 c butter
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c corn syrup
salt
1 tsp baking powder

Boil first ingredients than add baking powder. Will become very bubbly. Boil about 1 minute, then pour over 2 bags of popped corn in a brown bag ( I like the butter stuff) Shake. Microwave 25 seconds, shake and microwave for 25 more.