Cooking for One

These are my favorite recipes. They are especially well suited for people living alone, as they are easy to prepare.

Mexican Fiesta Macaroni and Cheese

Be sure to try this. It is very good 1 box macaroni & cheese mixture 1/2 lb hamburger 1/2 cup Pace Picante Sauce Shredded Cheddar for topping.

Pace Picante Sauce comes in four levels: Blue cover extra mild no heat at all; Green cover mild a bit of heat; Yellow cover medium--my favorite this is fairly warm Red cover hot High heat.

My favorite is the yellow, but you might want to choose the blue or green This really is a very good recipe. Blue won't have any significant Mexican flavor as no warm chilies, just tomato, & onion..

Prepare Macaroni & cheese kit according to package instructions. Crumble and brown hamburger Add picante sauce to browned hamburger & stir the mix into the macaroni & cheese Place mixture in 2 quart casserole. Top with shredded cheddar. Place in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until shredded cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Leftovers also warm well in microwave. I can live a week on one recipe. Proportions are approximate. For a meatier casserole increase the amount of hamburger, & add 3/4 cup picante instead of a half cup.

Dave's Best Red 'n White Chili

1/2 lb crumbled hamburger,the leaner the better 1 can Brooks Chili Hot Beans 1 can Great Northern Beans, any brand 1 can Diced Tomatoes 1/2 cup picante sauce (see above)

Brown hamburger in a large skillet. Reduce to low heat. Add other ingredients, Cook for 20 minutes. Serve with shredded cheddar & oyster crackers, over.

Chicken or Fish Strips

2 (or however many you want to use) boneless skinless frozen chicken breasts or 1 lb frozen fish (ie cod, pollack) 2 eggs flour

Put egg in bowl, and stir with fork. Lightly thaw fish or chicken, and cut into diagonal slices 3/8 inch thick. Dip into egg, then flour. Fry in no-stick frypan at medium heat, using a small amount of canola oil. Salt & pepper to taste. Serve alone or on buns. For a different treat, use corn meal instead of flour.

Fried Canned Mackerel

Follow the same recipe above, but substitute canned mackerel for the fish or chicken.

Picante Sauce Possibilities

Picante sauce is one of the most versatile of all food ingredients. When mixed with browned hamburger, it is the basis for a variety of other dishes, all interesting.

Spread the picante/hamburger mixture on buns for a great slushburger/mexican style barbecue.

Add a can of Chili hot beans to the mixture for mexican style chili.

Serve over spaghetti for mexican style spaghetti

Mix with velveeta cheese in a small crock pot for an interesting chip dip. More recipes to come