Hellfire Burgers

The people of Earth can be divide into two types: those who enjoy spicy food and those who don’t. I am one of the spicy people. Those who dislike spicy food think that spice is just about the heat, but it isn’t. The spice must also be full of flavor. The heat needs to be enough that you feel it, the bite is part of the joy, but not so much that you are in pain. These burgers are full of flavor because I used so many sources of heat. If you like things a little less hot skip the cayenne. You could also use regular mayo.

Speaking of mayo, you can make the Lime Chipotle Mayo yourself or purchase your favorite brand. I used French’s Crispy Jalapeños. Those are just like the crispy onions that you’ve been sprinkling on green been casseroles all these years only warm!

So, give heat a chance! Dinner will be smokin’.

Servings:  4 burgers

Hardware:  Measuring spoons and cups, a large skillet, a knife and a cutting board, food safe gloves, a large mixing bowl, foil, a rolling pin (or a smooth sided glass), a baking sheet

Active time: 10 minutes; Cook: 10 minutes; Dinner in about 30 minutes

Hellfire Burgers are full of delicious heat!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (the best that you can afford)
• Small Spanish onion (½ cup)
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
• Salt
• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 slices of peppered bacon
• 4 thick slices Pepper Jack cheese
• Lime chipotle mayo
• French fried jalapeños (I used French’s)

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚
2. Cut each bacon slice in half. Fry until crispy and set aside,
3. Dice the onion. Set aside.
4. Wearing the gloves mix the beef, the peppers and the Worcestershire sauce together. Don’t over handle the beef.
5. Cover the baking sheet in foil for easier clean up. Roll the beef out onto the foil until it is 8 inches by 8 inches. Sprinkle the top of the beef with the chopped onions. Press them gently into the meat. Score the beef into 4 equal pieces. Don’t cut it all the way through.
6. Generously salt the burger and place it into the oven. Bake for 10 minutes. 
7. Smear the buns with Chipotle Mayo. Top each burger with 2 bacon halves, a slice of Pepper Jack cheese and plenty of French fried jalapeños.

Nacho Casserole

Nacho Casserole

I have been crazy busy lately. I wanted something easy. I know that I serve a great deal of Tex-Mex dishes, but my husband loves them, they are usually easy and taste great. This casserole was even better the next day.

Another reason that I like these dishes is they are so forgiving and can be changed up to match your tastes and the food that you have on hand. I used Green Giant Steam Crisp Southwest Corn. This brand has black beans. However, you could use any corn. You could also stir in ½ can rinsed black beans. If you like heat, then stir in a few chopped hot peppers with the other veggies when you are cooking the meat mixture.

Servings: 6-8

Active time: 20 minutes; Cook: 45 minutes; Dinner in about 1 ½ hour

Hardware: A cutting board and knives, measuring spoons and cups, a large heavy bottomed skillet, a small skillet, a can opener, a wooden spoon, a mixing bowl, a whisk, a silicone spatula, foil, a 11x 8 x 2 glass baking dish and a baking sheet

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 small onion (½ cup, 4 oz)
• 1 small bell pepper (½ cup, 4 oz)
• 1-10 ounce can Ro-tel tomatoes-drained
• 1-11 ounce can Southwest corn-drained
• 1 cup taco sauce
• 1 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup tortilla chips-crushed
• 1 + 1 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream, chopped green onions, and black olives

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350˚.
2. Dice the onion and bell pepper, the smaller the better. In the skillet, brown the beef, onion, and pepper over medium. Cook and crumble until the beef is no longer pink. (About 7 minutes) Drain. Mix in the drained Ro-tel, corn, taco sauce, taco seasoning and cumin. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt.
3. While the meat mixture is simmering, melt the butter in the small skillet over medium. Whisk in the flour and continually stir until the roux is a light golden color. Remove from the heat. This roux will help bind the casserole and help it hold together when you cut it.
4. Mix the roux and 1 cup of the cheese into the meat mixture. Spoon everything into the glass baking dish. Cover it in foil. In case of boil over, place the dish on top of the baking dish and place in the oven for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the foil and top with the remaining cheese and crushed chips.  Bake for 5 minutes more or until the cheese melts.
6. Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
7. Slice and top with sour cream, chopped green onions and black olives before serving.

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