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!

Pepper Steak and Shrimp...

So, one of my wonderful students brought me a bag full of fresh vegetables out of their family garden!  YUM!! One of the items they had were jalapeno peppers.  I was always a picky eater (and still am a little picky) so I had never used peppers before.  But, my husband loves them!  So, I picked up a couple bell peppers at the grocery (red, yellow, and orange) and decided to try my hand at making steak and shrimp with peppers.  It turned out quite delicious!  Enough so that my sweet husband requested this dinner get in the rotation! :)  So, I thought I would share!

I used deer steak (we mostly ear deer meat, especially if Stephen has had a good year of hunting), frozen shrimp, 1/2 each of a red, yellow and orange bell pepper, and a handful of jalapeno peppers.  As well as various seasonings (garlic, onion, Montreal steak).

I forgot to thaw out my steak ahead of time, so I placed them in the skillet with a little oil.  As they thawed I sprinkled a little Adolph's Meat Tenderizer on them. While they were cooking I started cutting up the peppers.  I cut the bell peppers into big strips (mainly because I thought they looked nicer that way).  I cut the jalapenos into small pieces.  I seeded both before adding them to the skillet with the steaks.  Then, I just kept and eye on them, turning the steaks occasionally and adding a tad of EVOO when needed...  As they were cooking they looked delicious!

 

When the steaks were almost done through (I usually cook my deer steaks well done...) I added a couple handfuls of shrimp.  Then, when the steaks were cooked through, I pulled them out of the skillet and left the shrimp and peppers to cook a few minutes longer.

 

After the shrimp were cooked I poured the peppers and shrimp over the steaks to serve them.  I served this meal with a baked potato and green beans...It was delicious!!

 

I think the next time I make this, I will used the whole bell pepper (of yellow, red and orange) and double the steaks...the leftovers would be SO delicious in a quesadilla!!  All that you would need to do would be to slice the steak into thin strips! 

 

Enjoy!