Leftover Nachos

Nachos are one of our quick, easy meals. Here's an example of a recent nacho night that incorporated leftovers and fresh veggies.

Possible Ingredients
Tortilla chips
Meat and/or beans
Cheese
Assorted Vegetables
Salsa

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Add a layer of tortilla chips to a shallow dish or cookie sheet.

3. Prepare your toppings and layer on top of the chips.
*Chop veggies. (We have an abundance of tomatoes, so they're a must at every meal right now! Also included spinach greens, small green pepper and medium onion. I'll save half of this onion, pre-chopped, for another meal. Trimmings and tops go into the food scrap bucket for compost/chickens/pigs.)

*Re-heat and prepare leftover chicken and beans. (Since the chicken was put away with its broth after a crock-pot meal last week, we heated it so we could pull the meat out without too much juice. Chopped the chicken roughly. Also re-heated the last of the leftover butter beans.)

*Grate cheese. (We usually have cheddar in the fridge, but you could use any kind!)

4. Heat in oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts.

5. Top with salsa and enjoy! (Guacamole and sour cream would also be delicious to add.)

For Rennie- weekly menu

I was chatting with my friend Reenie today about menu plans. I often find myself looking for inspiration and enjoy seeing what others were eating.  I threw my ideas for the next few days out there and she seemed interested. So, here they are in all of their I have four kids but like to eat glory....

Sushi salad- make susshi rice according to directions, add rice wine vinegar, seasame seeds, sometimes olive oil sometimes not, chop up some cucumber, pickled ginger, shred some carrots, and toss in some capers. 
    If i have one and am feeling fancy i add avocados on the side so they don't get mushy.
     If we have visitors or need something more hearty we add tuna mixed with mayo and sirachi.
     If we are really fancy and costco has seaweed salad that is a nice accompaniment.
     And lastly if it is cold, some quick miso soup is nice alongside.

Nachos- I bake the chips with beans cheese and onions. (The beans are usually seasoned with chili powder, salt, garlic, and cumin. This seems silly, but makes a difference.)  This week we have blue corn chips and it is these little things that makes it exciting.  As with any meal like this your toppings are endless.  We like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, salsa, yogurt(sour cream), and avocado.

and last

Chard crust-less quiche with red potato salad
   For the quiche I found I could never make a good enough crust so I just leave them off and enjoy my carbs some other way.
   throw in about 6 eggs, 1 cup milk, sauteed chard onions with what ever cheese and herbs you have on hand. toss on a few ripe tomatoes and bake at 350 for about 45 min until just set in the middle.
   While that is baking boil up your potatoes and then prepare a dressing of olive oil, grainy mustard, salt, pepper,  chives (FYI Reenie i have chard and chives you can come cut). mix together while they are warm and enjoy hot or cold.

If you are still reading I have some ideas...
the once a month cooking mom has some awesome ideas and recipes and we could get together and prep some of them.  A month is too overwhelming for me, but i have done four or five at a time and it was great. (just finishing them up) Or i have a few other friends we could talk into doing a swap where we all prepare vegan dishes and then get together and swap them.... This is also very fun and you get lots of new recipes.  The two I am thinking of are both vegan and i may have one other who eats a lot of veg/ vegan.