Greek Meatball Gyros

Sorry I have been missing, it might happen over the next few months but i'm going to try to keep up the best I can. Anyways, these Meatball Gyros are awesome! I used my own tzatziki sauce recipe and Duck's Oven meatball recipe that is slightly adapted.  Delish!

1 lb lean ground beef
1 egg
3 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
2 tsp parsley
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp olive oil
4 pita breads
diced red onion
sliced cucumbers
diced tomato
tzatziki sauce

Heat oven to 400.  In a mixing bowl combine the ground beef, egg, crumbled feta, parsely, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder and olive oil. Place in a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes flipping the meatballs halfway through.  Once the meatballs are cooked, build the gyros and enjoy! 

Caprese Lasagna Roll Ups

Okay these are good. Like really good.  I adapted this recipes from Cooking Classy.

8 lasagna noodles
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg white
1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
black pepper
3 - 4 medium roma tomatoes (thinly sliced)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 cups marinara sauce

Heat oven to 350.  Boil lasagna noodles. While the noodles are boiling mix together the ricotta and egg white. Stir in the parmesan cheese, 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella and black pepper to taste. Once the noodles are cooked through lay them out on wax paper.  Spread the ricotta mixture evenly across each noodle. Top with 3 or 4 slices of tomato and some chopped basil.  Place 1/2 cup of pasta sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.  Place the rolled up lasagna noodles seam side down. Top with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes. 

Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs

This recipes came about after looking at several different similar recipes.  This is just an easy version without any mayo in them since the hubs hates mayo.

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp rosemary (chopped)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Cut chicken breasts into cubes. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, rosemary and ranch dressing mix. Marinate for 3 to 12 hours. Place the chicken on the screwers and grill over medium high heat until it is cooked through. 

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

The other day we ended up with more brown bananas than one family should have.  I decided to make this delicious banana bread from Lovin' From the Oven. I did slightly adapt it.

Bread:
3 over-ripe bananas
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups flour

Swirl:
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon

Heat oven to 350.  Grease a loaf pan.  In a medium bowl mash up the bananas. Stir in the melted butter, sugar and egg. Add in the vanilla, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix in the flour.  Pour half of the batter into the bottom of the loaf pan.  In a small bowl combine the cinnamon and sugar.  Sprinkle 2/3s of the cinnamon mixture over the batter.  Top with the remaining batter and sprinkle on the remaining cinnamon and sugar. Bake in the oven for 45 to 55 minutes. 

Tomato Corn and Cheddar Pie

This recipe is awesome.  It's like everything I love about summer. All together. In a delicious pie crust. This recipe is slightly adapted from Clock Work Lemon.

2 pie crusts (store bought or homemade)
1 3/4 pounds tomatoes (sliced)
1 1/2 cup fresh corn (cut off the cob)
3 tbsp chives (chopped)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp lemon juice

Heat oven to 400. Whisk together the lemon juice and mayonnaise. Place the pie crust in a pie plate. Put down half of the tomatoes in the pie crust then layer with half of the corn, half of the chives, half the salt, half of the pepper and half of the cheese. Top with the remaining tomatoes, corn, chives, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with the lemon mayonnaise then top with the remaining cheese. Top with second pie crust and crimp the edges. Cut four vents into the top of the crust. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove and let the pie sit for 10 minutes before cutting into it. 

Texas Trash Dip

Football season is officially underway! Woohoo, Go Gamecocks! I don't know where I originally found this recipe but I used to make it a ton back in the day.  Somehow it got buried in the sea of recipes but it popped back into my head not to long ago and I had to make it!  This is such an easy recipe and a total crowd pleaser.

2 cans Refried Beans
8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
1 cup Sour Cream
1 package Taco Seasoning
4 cups Colby Jack Cheese

Heat oven to 350.  Mix together cream cheese and sour cream. Stir in refried beans and taco seasoning. Spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with cheese and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with tortilla or corn chips. 

Bean and Cheese Smothered Enchiladas

These enchiladas were so easy and very delicious, I used my homemade refried bean recipe instead of can beans but you can use either.  This recipe is from Sweet Basil.

1 can refried beans or 1 recipe unfried beans
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
2  cups cheddar cheese
6 flour tortillas

sauce:
1 can red enchilada sauce
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder

Heat oven to 350. In a bowl combine the beans, cumin, chili powder and 2/3 cup of cheddar cheese. Place a spoonful of the mixture into each tortilla and roll them up. In a small bowl whisk together the red enchilada sauce, sour cream, cumin and chili powder. Pour 1/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a baking dish. Place the rolled enchiladas seam down in the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the top then sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. 

BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf Muffins

So I am not a huge meatloaf fan. We ate it growing up and it was never my favorite meal. Gray does enjoy it though so I thought these little meatloaf muffins from Cassie Craves was the perfect compromise to traditional meatloaf.  These little guys were really really good. If only all meatloaf could be this delicious.

1 lb lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups freshly-shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
1 small can French-fried onions
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (divided)
1 egg
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Heat oven to 400. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin.  In a food processor place all of the fried onions and process until they are a crumbly mixture. In a bowl combine the ground beef, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, French fried onion ring crumbs, 1/4 cup of bbq sauce, egg, salt and pepper. Mix until everything is incorporated. Make small meatloaves and place in the muffin tins. Brush with the remaining bbq sauce. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Place back in the oven until the cheese is melted. Let the meatloaves sit for 5 minutes before removing from the tin. 

Falafel Burgers

We love falafel in our house.  So when I came across the idea I knew I had to make them. This recipe is heavily adapted from Tablespoon.

2 cans Chickpeas (slightly drained)
2 cloves Garlic (minced)
1/4 cup Onion (finely diced)
1/3 cup Flour
Oil for Frying
Tzatziki Sauce
Cucumbers
Tomato
Buns

In a bowl add the chickpeas, garlic, onion and flour.  Mash together and form patties. Heat the oil over medium heat in a skillet. Fry the falafel burgers on each side until browned and crispy. Drain on a paper towel.  Toast the buns, add the falafel patty then top with tzatziki, sliced cucumber and tomatoes. 

Baked Dill Fries

I love dill. I love potatoes. I love the combination of dill and potatoes.  I might have made that obvious on here already.  I made these fries a few weeks ago and they were the perfect addition to our falafel burgers! The recipe is from Dizzy, Busy and Hungry.

4 medium potatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp dried dill weed

Heat the oven to 400.  Slice the potatoes into wedges. In a bowl toss them with olive oil, garlic salt, pepper, cornstarch and dill.  Layer them on a greased sheet pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes then flip and bake for 10 to 15 more minutes.