Dish of the Week: Black Bean "Mexican" Lasagna

This recipe is simple, easy & great for last minute guests..or guests of the vegetarian variety. I added a little sour cream and guacamole on top of this and my kids went nuts. I think they both had two servings...I think hubby had three servings!

Black Bean "Mexican" Lasagna

4 or 5 flour tortillas (I buy the big burrito size)
2 cans black beans
2 jars of salsa
4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or jack)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spread a small amount of salsa on the bottom of a large casserole dish (I used a 9x13). Tear the tortillas into palm-sized pieces. Lay some of the pieces on top of the salsa until you have one complete layer. Pour one can of black beans on top of tortillas. Spread salsa on top of beans. Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheese on top. Add another layer of tortillas, beans, salsa and another 1/3 of the cheese. Add a final layer of tortillas and then top with the rest of the salsa and the rest of the cheese.

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes until sauce is bubbling and cheese has melted.

Dish of the Week: Arroz con Pollo

It was 5:30 on Friday and I suddenly realized I hadn't started dinner and I didn't even have a dish planned. But I knew I had some chicken thighs in the refrigerator, so the options were endless. I decided to throw together a sort of Arroz con Pollo based loosely on a Dream Dinners entree we had once and a recipe on the back of a placemat we got at a kids' health event. I thought for sure I'd be serving chicken a la crapola, but it turned out to be delicious!!

Arroz con Pollo

1 bag "boil in a bag" brown rice
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 tsp cumin
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (you could also use breasts)
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp garlic salt
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Grease a large casserole dish with cooking spray. Empty bag of rice into bottom of dish. Then layer with black beans & corn. Sprinkle cumin on top. Top bean & corn mixture with chicken pieces. Season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix tomatoes, marinara, garlic, oregano, garlic salt and a little more black pepper. Poor mixture over chicken. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from oven & sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered for another 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with sour cream.