Swiss Tacos

Since we grew up in Midway, UT we have a special place in our hearts for all-things-Swiss. Swiss Days was a highlight every year. These Swiss Tacos were always a staple at that venue. Now we can make them at home! ~BJ

Swiss Tacos
recipe by Mimi 

SAUCE
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 medium onion
2 cans enchilada sauce
1 can tomato sauce
1 can beans, refried or kidney
1 lb. grated cheese
1 head lettuce, chopped
1 onion, diced

Fry ground beef with onion. Add sauce and beans. Simmer for 1/2 hour.

INDIAN FRY BREAD
4 cups flour
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups warm water

Mix dry ingredients together well. Add water, mixing into a smooth ball. Break off a portion and pat into a large patty. Fry in HOT oil until golden brown on both sides. Top with sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese.

Jared's Homemade burger

My Homemade Burger:

"50/50 burger. Ground hamburger/ground pork. Swiss cheese. Caramelized onions and a whole grilled portabello mushroom. On a olive oil toasted bun with vine ripened garden tomatoes and lettuce." My good friend Jared made this burger the other night and I had to blog it. Doesn't that look divine??~BJ

Jared's Homemade Burgers

recipe by Jared Jones 

1 lb ground beef

1 lb. ground pork

sliced Swiss Cheese 

sliced onions

lettuce

olive oil

hamburger bun

tomotoes

Portabella mushrooms

Place ground meats into a bowl and lightly mix together with hands. Do not over mix. Form into patties the size of the palm of your hand and about an inch thick. Tip: push your thumb into the center of the patty to form a divot. That way your burger will be evenly surfaced once cooked. 

Place on hot grill for 5-6 minutes per side. While still on grill place sliced cheese on the patty so it can melt.

Lightly spread olive oil onto the bun then place onto the grill for 1 minute until you get nice grill marks.

Pull stem out of the Portabella Mushroom and then drizzle some olive oil onto both side and place on the grill for about 4 minutes.

. In a frying pan place sliced onions. Set at medium heat until they turn translucent. Keep cooking them until they turn brown in color that is when they have caramelized. 

Assemble burger and top with sliced tomato. Enjoy!   

Beyond Easy Cheesteak Sub

Super yummy and quick lunch or dinner. -Rachel

Inspired from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
*Makes 3-4 sandwiches

2 tablespoons butter
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2-3 tablespoons A-1 steak sauce
1 pound deli roast beef, cut into 2-inch strips (if you can, get Boars Head Roast beef at your local supermarket deli....so worth the extra $)
Salt and pepper
4 (6-inch) sub rolls, split partially open lengthwise
Swiss or provolone cheese

Preheat the broiler in your oven and adjust a rack to the upper-middle position. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter, Add the onion and garlic powder,oregano and the A-1 sauce. Add the beef stirring well to coat the beef with the sauce. Cook until the meat is heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Place the sliced rolls on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide the beef mixture among the rolls. Top with the cheese and broil until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes (don’t even take your hand off the oven door handle – stand right there so they don’t burn!). Serve immediately.

Blue Cheese Burgers

So.. BJ has practically been the only updater for the past few weeks so that's when I decided to help her out. I also have to do a project/challenge were I have to prepare five different meals and make them so I should be updating a lot hopefully. This is to DIE for! -Louisa

• 2 pounds ground chuck
• 1 pound ground sirloin
• 1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup steak sauce
• 3 extra-large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 to 10 hamburger buns
• 8 ounce, blue cheese, sliced
• sliced tomatoes, lettuce, onions, for serving (optional)

Carefully mix the meats, bread crumbs, steak sauce, eggs, salt, and pepper with the tines of a fork, but do not mash them. Lightly form hamburger patties and press lightly into shape.
Prepare a charcoal or a stove-top grill.
Cook the hamburgers for 4 minutes on 1 side, then turn and cook 3 minutes on the other side for medium-rare. Remove to a plate and cover with aluminum foil. Allow the hamburgers to rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, grill the buns, cut side down, for 1 minute, until toasted. Place a hamburger and a slice of blue cheese in each bun, plus tomato, lettuce, and onions, if desired, and serve hot.

Easy French Dip

Oh I love easy dinners, and this is one of them. The key to a great french dip sandwich is definately the bread. I personally love the artisan bread loafs that Smith's bakery sells. Or, try a great kaiser or crusty roll. This meal also tastes great with dill pickles and some cheese.~Mom

Easy French Dip

1 pound of sliced deli roast beef.
1 can french onion soup
1 can of beef consume
1/2 cup water

Over medium heat, combine french onion soup, beef consume and water. Add the roast beef. Stir until heated through. Add a slice of provolone cheese to each sandwich. Reserve the liquid from the pan for dipping.

Nacho Bake

I have the best memories of me and my sister BJ and our cousin Erica all heading over to the Alta Mesa Country Club after swimming at the pool. We would get some money from our mommies are head over to the grill for their incredible nacho platter. I just remember being so excited to eat those nachos and feeling so grown up to be eating at a restaurant without adults. Anyways, here is the "family" version (so you  can bake it in a baking dish). It's awesome. -Christine

1/2 bag of crushed tortilla chips (I use the baked)
1 pound of cooked, taco seasoned ground beef
1 can of refried beans
1/3 cup milk
1 tbl butter
1/2 tsp ground cumin
cheese sauce (see recipe below)
chopped tomatoes (for garnish)
chopped cilantro (garnish)
chopped green onions (garnish)
sour cream (garnish)
guacamole (garnish)

cheese sauce
2 tbl. butter
2 tbl flour
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
dash of salt

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and stir until the butter and flour are well combined. Pour in milk, stirring constantly as it thickens. Add more milk depending on desired consistency. Add the cheese until melted. Stir through until smooth.

Directions:  preheat oven to 350. In a saucepan, melt 1 Tbl. of butter and add milk, refried beans, and cumin. Stir until heated through.  Layer a 9x13 baking dish with crushed chips, beef, refried beans, and cheese sauce. Bake for 25 minutes. Add garnishes before serving.

The Butcher-at-the-Grocery-Store's Marinade (for beef, chicken, or pork)

I love to barbecue and this easy and quick marinade is awesome to tenderize and flavor your meat before cooking it.  I recommend putting your meat in a zip lock bag with the sauce the night before you barbecue and refrigerate overnight.  If you are in a hurry, the same day is just fine!~ Mom (Laurel)
1 can of Mountain Dew or 7-Up
1/4 cup soy sauce
1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce 
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 tsp Montreal steak seasoning