Classic Black Beans

Classic Black Beans
(adapted from a Goya recipe)

Ingredients:

• 2 T Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 15.5oz can Goya black beans, undrained
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 packet of Sazon Goya without Annatto (comes in orange box in Goya aisle)
• 1 T cider vinegar, white wine or white cooking wine

Directions:

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and peppers; cook until tender, about 8 - 10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 1 - 2 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over hot rice of your choice.

Tips:

• I usually use the cider vinegar and it turns out great, but would use wine if I had it on hand.
• Freezes really well.
• I usually double so I have an extra dinner's worth to freeze. 
• When I double, I DO NOT double water & oregano. For the water, sometimes I do 1.5 times, but it just depends on how it all looks once mixed, I don't want it too runny.
• Can simmer up to 20 or 30 mins if you want to make ahead of time.
• Can be easily made day before and reheated.
• To increase veggie amounts, I usually do some or all of the following:
• Add and extra 1/4 cup green pepper
• Add 2 - 3 cups of spinach chopped into small pieces and will it in for the last 10 mins or so
• Top with chopped tomatoes and a doll-up of sour cream when served.

Taco Pie

It is not a glamorous dish, but it is easy, yummy comfort food that makes an extra dinner to freeze!

Ingredients:
2 lbs lean ground beef
2 taco seasoning packets
2 cans refried beans
½ cup chopped onion
4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
½ bag tortilla chips
2 deep dish pie crusts

Instructions:
Bake pie crusts according to instructions on the package.

Chop onions. Brown meat with onion. Drain meat. Add taco seasoning and water per instructions on packet. Simmer beef for 15 – 30 mins until all water simmers out.

Crush tortilla chips and grate cheese.

Assemble taco pie using the following layers:
1. Refried beans
2. Meat
3. Shredded Cheese
4. Light layer of crushed tortilla chips
5. Refried beans
6. Meat
7. Shredded Cheese on top

Bake at 350˚ for 20 – 25 minutes. If refrigerated prior to baking, bake for 30 – 35 minutes.

The pies can be made 24 hours ahead of time and/or can be frozen prior to baking. They store and freeze well.

Note: These ingredients and instructions make two pies. The recipe can easily be doubled or cut in half.