2 Recipes to Share

I’ve gotten several requests for simple dishes that feed a group and for easy, inexpensive dishes that are family friendly.  In the last couple of days, I’ve prepared 2 dinners that I think fit both requests and thought I’d share.  Please remember that I get in the kitchen and just cook.  So, measuring can sometimes be a guessing game.  But neither of these dishes require much work, so the amount of particular ingredients can be done to taste.  Also keep in mind that I’m always cooking for roughly 8-12 people and that is what these dishes will feed but they can easily be cut in 1/2 or even doubled.

I suddenly feel a great responsibility! Wow! I’m nervous that you guys will try these and think they’re terrible!

Well, here goes-

A Make-It-Up-As-You-Go dinner

This is a twist on a recipe that one of my favorite bloggers posted about a year ago.  In her’s she added chicken and when I went to make it, either we were in a seasonal fast or I didn’t feel like messing with the  chicken and decided to use beans instead and this is what it’s transformed into.

Tortilla Chips (I like to use what’s left at the bottom of the bag or the ones that are stale b/c kiddos opened a bag, didn’t close it and left it in the cupboard for a few days)

One can refried beans

One can black beans

One can broth (chicken or veggie)

One can cream of chicken soup

Cheese

Crush the tortilla chips and create a layer on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish (I like a thick layer)

Dump refried beans, can of crm soup and broth into a bowl

Drain and rinse the black beans and add them to the bowl of other ingredients

Mix everything together and pour it on top of the crushed tortilla chips

Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes at 350.

Top with shredded cheese, cool and serve. Of course, you could go all out and top it with salsa, sour cream, or avocado, but I’ve kept it simple and just added cheese. The bottom layer should take on a consistency that reminds me of corn bread or stuffing. Yum!

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Colorful and Easy Radiatore

I threw this together one night about a year ago and it’s become one of my favorite pastas. It can be served hot or cold.

1 bag of veggie radiatore

1 jar alfredo sauce

2 bags of krab rounds (I like the rounds because then the pieces don’t break up as easily and aren’t *lost* in the pasta)

pine nuts (I buy a bag at Costco and use about 2 handfuls)

julienned, sun dried tomatoes in olive oil

garlic

olive oil

Cook pasta according to pkg directions, drain, dump back into pot and set aside

Add a small amount of olive oil to pan

Add crushed garlic to warmed olive oil (I use 2 cloves)

Add krab pieces and toss with garlic, just to warm

Pour alfredo sauce over pasta

Add krab and garlic

Toast pine nuts and add to pasta, sauce and krab

warm sun dried tomatoes and add to pasta mixture (use as much or as little as you like. They can be omitted all together if you’re not a fan of tomatoes)

Toss and serve

I LOVE this pasta! I have some kids who LOVE it and some who just want to pick the krab pieces out to eat.  But it’s a colorful and flavorful dish!

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There you have it! 2 easy dishes to serve a crowd, or just a large family!

Have a favorite dish to share? Post it!

Have a great day~