Taco Bites

Sunday night was a devotion followed by a fellowship meal at our church.  My sweetheart wanted to take something including deer meat (since he recently got a beautiful 9-pointer with his bow).  I had seen Taco Bites on Pinterest, but I had not (and still haven't) taken the time to read the recipe...So, I made my own as I went.  Apparently they were good because my dish came home empty!

I started my fresh deer meat.  I love to begin with some olive oil and fresh garlic before I add the ground meat.  After the meat was completely cooked (browned) I added my home-made taco seasoning!  After I add the seasoning I let the meat continue to cook on low for a few minutes.  While the meat is cooking I prepared some refried beans. In the interest of time, I opened a can and added 2T water, and heated them for about 1 minute.

Lightly spray your pans.  Line with tortilla shell.  I have made these myself...and oh my - so delicious! However, as I mentioned earlier - in the interest of time, I chose to use store bought.  I purchased the small size and cut them into quarters.

 Next, I added a small spoonful of refried beans.

On top of the refried beans I added a small spoon of the seasoned meat, and sprinkled with a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.  

I then repeated the first three steps.  This makes two layers of tortilla shell, beans, meat, and cheese.

Bake at 325 for about 15-20 minutes and....

They smelled so delicious!  Everyone seemed to enjoy them.  I would serve them with a bowl of salsa and a bowl of sour cream.  That way people can customize them for their own preferences!  

Enjoy!

Taco Soup...

Today I made the first soup of the season...and it was wonderful!!!  Tonight was a perfect night for a bowl of soup!  We had a great morning at church, then came home relaxed, put soup on the stove, and then this evening we sat down to eat that soup and watch some football!!

This is a recipe that I use Deer meat for, but it can be made with hamburger or ground turkey, or without meat!  I must give recipe credit to my Mother-in-law.  She gave this to me after I found out it was one of my husband's favorites.  I have also heard of people adding cabbage, but...I don't.  It can be made within 30 minutes and lasts my family (myself and my amazing husband) about a week - one night of dinner and then lunches a couple/few days each.

Taco Soup:
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
2 cans whole kernel corn
1large can crushed tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning **I use homemade Taco Seasoning
1 package ranch seasoning
1 lb ground meat (browned)

Combine all ingredients (don't drain the beans, just open the can and dump) in pot and heat through!  Serve with corn chips and shredded cheese!  Although it can be made quickly, if I have time, I like to put it on low heat and let it cook slowly through the evening....makes the house smell delicious!!

Deer Calzones...

First of all, these can be made with any type meat you choose...but at our house...deer is preferred!

I start with browned (scrambled) deer meat.  I add pizza sauce and seasonings to it and let it simmer.  Then I use a pizza crust mix (the kind you just add hot water too) and mix it up as the directions say.    I usually get about three calzones out of one pizza crust.  After the crust is ready, I separate it into three sections.  Take one section and roll it out...

 

I brush the inside of the calzone with a little bit of EVOO, then spoon in the deer meat mixture.  I also sprinkle the deer meat with cheese and top with Turkey Pepperoni.

 

Fold over the top of the calzone (be careful not to poke a hole in the crust like I did on one of the ones below!), and I seal it with a fork.  If you are overly picky about how it looks you can take a knife and trim off the ragged edges after you have sealed it.

 

 

Then I make a mixture of EVOO, Parmesan cheese, and oregano.  The consistency needs to be a little more runny than a paste.

 

Lightly brush the mixture over the tops of the calzones.

 

 

Place in the oven and bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes, or until crust is a golden brown.

 

 

ENJOY!!