Apple Crisp

Use a 8x8 or 9x9 pan, or a pie pan. Also, slice the apples pretty big.

4 Cups peeled, cored, sliced apples (about 6)-granny smith, gala, pink lady, etc. Do not use red delicious.
Place them in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with a little granulated sugar.
Blend: 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 oatmeal, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, 3/4 tsp nutmeg.
Cut in: 1/3 cup soft butter or margarine.

Top the apples with the crumb mixture.
Bake 30-35 minutes at 375.

Tater Tot Casserole

This one comes from my friend Laura Jayne:

In the bottom of a 9x13 pan, press 1 lb hamburger to a thin layer (or leave it chunky--whatever your preference).
Sprinkle in 1 grated onion (or dry onion flakes).
Add 1 can of green beans (or use frozen ones).
Cover with 2 cans cream soup (mushroom, celery, or chicken) mixed with 1 cup milk.
Top with tater tots.
Bake 350 for 45 mins.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I got this from a dairy-free website. I substituted canned tomotoes and canned green chillis for the mexican tomatoes.

2 14 ½ oz. cans chicken broth, 2 c water

¾ c Mexican tomatoes

1 bay leaf, 1 clove garlic, ¼ tsp. cumin

1 pinch crushed red pepper, dried

12 oz. chicken, diced

1 can black beans, rinsed (or kidney)

1 can corn

2 green onions, sliced

¼ c fresh cilantro, chopped

2 T lime juice

Salt and pepper, to taste

7 corn tortillas

In a large stock pot, place chicken broth, water, tomatoes, bay leaf, garlic, cumin, red pepper, chicken, rinsed beans, and corn. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 – 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked. Add green onions, cilantro, and lime juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crushed tortilla chips.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

Milk-Free

My life, as far as food goes, has changed dramatically in the last several weeks. My 6 month-old has had a terrible rash on this face and body for months. Finally my doctor and my husband convinced me that I needed to change my diet to see if it's something he's allergic to in my milk.

I started by cutting out all the likely foods (wheat, soy, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs) leaving me almost no choices of food to eat. Somehow I survived a week of that and his rash went away! I then added back in wheat and milk, which brought back his rash. So I cut the milk again and after almost 2 weeks it went away. I have since added back eggs and soy with the rash staying at a minimum. Yay! I found out milk is most likely the only problem.

Now what? No milk. No ice cream! No cheese. No cottage cheese. No sour cream. No cream cheese. No butter. No margarine. No chocolate! No bread products made with milk. No anything else made with milk (which happens to be A LOT if you look at labels). No cooking with milk, butter, or margarine. To my dismay soy milk isn't that good and shortening in baking is a poor substitute.

My situation is temporary, although annoying. As soon as I wean my baby I'll no longer need to avoid these products, but is his? A lot of times kids grow out of milk allergies, but I really wonder if and how long that'll take. It's a whole different world trying to find something to cook and eat when you have to avoid so many common ingredients. There are substitutes out there for many of these products, but they are EXPENSIVE and so far I'm too cheap to try anything but the milk. Anyway, wish me luck, and especially my baby.

If you see a lot of milk-free recipes from me for awhile, you now know why.

Additional note (12/9/10): I have also discovered my son is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts.

Que Pasa Style Quesadillas

In high school I worked at a restaurant called Que Pasa, one of the first Fresh Mexican grill style restaurants around. Regardless of how many times I ate their food I was in heaven each time. I've tried to replicate their food at best as possible in my own kitchen. These quesadillas are very close to the original and I'm totally in love with them. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients
Cheese (Cheddar and/or Monterrey Jack)
Sour Cream
Guacamole (my recipe)
Soft Flour Tortillas
Meat (optional, but highly recommended) - shredded chicken, shredded beef, shredded pork, or chopped steak.

Directions
Cook meat using seasoning of your choice. If I come up with the meat recipes that taste like Que Pasa's I'll let you know. Use large frying pan and heat to medium/medium high. Spray pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

For each quesadilla: Spread sour cream on half a tortilla. Spread guacamole on the other half (if using small tortillas use 2 and spread sour cream on one and guacamole on the other).

Sprinkle cheese on one half, but don't over do it. If you put too much cheese you drowned out the other flavors and end up with a greasy mess (in my opinion). Top cheese with cooked meat of your choice.

 Fold tortilla in half and move to pan.

  Cook until tortilla is golden brown then flip and repeat for the other side.

Serve as soon as possible. They are best fresh!

Bean Dip

Here's a simple bean dip recipe that I, Isaac, came up with. It's not exactly the healthiest thing you could eat but it hits the spot.

Ingredients:
1 Can of refried black beans
1/4 Cup of salsa (we use medium)
1/2 Cup of Mozzarella
1/2 Cup of Cheddar
1 -2 Tbs of taco sauce for flavor

Over medium - low heat warm the beans up. Once they are warm add all the ingredients and stir until cheese is completely melted. Serve hot. It's also good leftover, just zap it in the microwave.

Mom's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are my mother-in-laws specialty. They are simple and turn out making very soft yummy cookies. These and no-bake cookies are my husband's favorites. Occasionally I throw him off by making another kind, but these always get 5 stars.

Note: One thing I really love about this recipe is that I can use a 1/2 cup measuring cup and a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon and that's it! I love to cook, but I hate dishes, so anyway to avoid them is a wonderful.

Ingredients:
1 cube (1/2 cup) margarine
1 cup pack brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Cream together margarine and both sugars. Add eggs and mix until smooth. Mix in soda, salt, and vanilla. Stir in flour (1/2 cup at a time) to make a stiff, not sticky dough. Add chocolate chips. Place on cookie sheet and back at 375 degrees for 9-12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tip: I'm not sure if it's in my head or actually the case but these cookies seem to turn out better when mixed by hand instead of using hand mixer.