hosted by our friend and Foodie Specialist,
Michael at Designs by Gollum.
Please stop by her wonderful blog not
only to partake of her wonderful
Foodie Advice – but to also see a full
list of all the Foodie participants.
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So you’re gonna have to forgive me
this week. I am re-posting a recipe and
dish I shared a few weeks back –
Mexican Taco Pasta.
You see it was a lazy North Carolina Day!
The weather was perfect, and I pretty much
just played hooky from life all day.
So – I hope you don’t mind that I am
bringing back an older post.
Enjoy!!!!
So what happens when one wants Mexican
and another wants Pasta?
Mexican Taco Pasta….of course!
It’s actually one of my favorite, easy-to-fix comfort
foods. I can prepare this dish, make a salad, fix garlic
bread and ring the dinner bell in well under an hour.
It’s pretty common sense cooking – but I took
lots of pics…
As with most of my dishes, my first visit is to my
I also start with a generous portion of cilantro, rough
Here are some of the basic ingredients…
…many of them already in your pantry.
How did that get there?
Okay, it’s not exactly an “ingredient” needed for the
dish…but as the saying goes…
So…while the veggies are being chopped…
I start my pasta water.
I like to add salt, olive oil and fresh herbs. I threw
in a handful of cilantro.
By the way – this is one of my fave kitchen gadgets.
It’s a “burger-chopper-upper” from The Pampered Chef.
It works really well when browning ground beef.
Next, drain burger then add one package taco
seasoning mix – stir well.
Add one large can of tomato sauce, and one small
can of tomato paste.
Add a can of Southwestern- style Corn w/ Black Beans
Mmmm….baby bella’s. Pre-sliced…pre-easy! 😉
Toss ’em in….
Can you smell the scents? Cumin, onions,
cilantro, tomato….oh yea!
Turn the heat to medium, and just let your
sauce simmer.
Well, this looks awfully plain. Time to dress it up…
Add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese – then
some crushed corn chips.
Add the lettuce around the outer edge of the bowl.
I used my hand-painted Portuguese pottery plates.
I love how the colors of the dish are reflected
in the colors of the plate.
This is a down-home comfort dish with a twist
of worldly flavors….
So the next time your family is indecisive about
what they want for dinner….give them both.
I hope you have enjoyed sharing dinner with us tonight.
There’s plenty more – so you are welcomed to seconds. 🙂
Please make sure you head over to Designs by Gollum
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I want to update you on my recent Pooter Problems.
My new computer arrived a few days ago.
I was excited because I had ordered a really
nice carry case.
So – I opened up the case and knew
immediately something was very, very wrong!
To make matters worse, the mouse was missing!
I did not think it looked very user-friendly.
But I plugged it in anyway – and it made some
hissing noises.
Uh-oh!
I thought I would give it a chance to warm up…
.. but it just started running slower and slower.
What is wrong with today’s electronics?
In the end, I knew this wasn’t going to work.
So I called the company, explained the problem and
asked for a new computer.
The company was very apologetic and sent me
a new one right out. Thanks Goodness.
It arrived today!
Oh good grief!
Are they kidding me?
It was a very cute pooter…but this one ran even
slower than the last!
I tried rebooting – but to no avail.
I give up!
I knew I should have been suspicious when the
company motto was…
“Eat…Drink…and Be Hairy!”
😀
May You Have a Comforting Weekend…Barb
Gollum says
This makes me sooooo hungry! It’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo, or any day. I love, love, love these dishes!
But the cat!!!! A Maine coon? Beautiful!
View Commentsoutherninspiration says
Oh, Barb, that looks delicious….I have never heard of a PC hamburger chopper upper!! And good for you to take the day off and relax. I’ve never seen a computer like that, either!!! Life is different over there on the east coast!! 😀
Suzanne
View CommentRobin says
That looks so good! I think I need some right now…lol!
Your pooter is adorable!!
{{HUGS}}
Robin ;o)
View CommentFoley says
I love your presentation – makes it so much easier to understand the dish!!
View CommentLove your cat!! Sorry about the pooter problems!
Barb @ GritsandGlamour says
Gollum – yes the first cat is a Maine Coon, and the second cat is a Seal Point (or so I have been told)
They are Babies #3 and #4. They fight over the pooter case. Bill said we have been wasting our money on fru-fru kitty beds at Petsmart, and should have been shopping for them at Staples. 🙂
View CommentKBeau says
Barb, that looks delicious, but what’s with that teensy weensy bottle of wine? Why not just bring out a big jug?
Seriously, I’m going to have to try this recipe.
View CommentSusan (Between Naps on the Porch) says
Oh what sweet, sweet kitty babies! This made me laugh ’cause EVERY single time we ever got our suit cases out, our cats always ended up inside them! What is it about cats and suitcases? 🙂 Love this post…just kept getting better and better!
View CommentShelia says
Oh, yummy! I love Mexican food and a taco salad is one of my favorites! Can I come over?
View CommentOh, what a cute fuzzy puter you have my dear! That is one darling fat cat you have! 😉
Be a sweetie,
shelia 😉
~CC Catherine says
Hey Barb……Lovin that recipe..mmm. Those kitty pics are too precious! Hope your computer problems get better! 😉 ~CC Catherine
View Commentxinex says
Cute post about the kitties! The taco pasta looks so good and what a pretty presentation…Christine
View CommentHappy To Be says
Oh Barb I am dying here girl..This looks like the purrfect putter it looks like a LAP top…too funny my friend…thanks for the laugh..may you have a great Friday…hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
View CommentKim Kasch says
I love Mexican food – oh, wait . . . I love all food. Guess that’s why I’m sooooo chubby.
But thanks for sharing this recipe – it looks marvelous!
View CommentChandy says
Delicious pasta dish! Yum!
Your pooter problem is very hairy alright and quite flexibl. 😉
View CommentGaston Studio says
LOL about your new ‘puter!
View CommentStacey says
Looks so good! I know my family would like that recipe. Your recipes always look so yummy and easy. That’s how I like it!!
I am dying to take part in the patio part next week. It just keeps raining and raining here though. 🙁
View CommentThoughtfully blended hearts says
This sounds so good, think I’ll have to try it…and the pooter sounds like my kind…much better than the “hard” kind…
View CommentKathysue says
Barb another great dish You make everything look so tasty and easy. I think I could eat half that bowl, Love the furry computers they just look so comfy, I have to agree with Bill I think it looks like that is their bed of choice. you have the best sense of humor, always fun and entertaining to come to your blog. Hugs kathysue
View Commentsalmagundi says
I remember this recipe, but haven’t tried it yet. It sounds so good and unusual. Have a great weekend. Sally
View CommentPat@Back Porch Musings says
Looks yummilicious!!
Love the computer story!
View CommentCami @ Creating Myself says
Thansk for the sympathies on the loss of my Gizzy. He will always be missed but Cutie Rudy is helping me to deal w/ it.
I completely understand how hard it is to let them go Barb…how’s your furball who’s diabetic? Email me if you’d rather talk in private.
Looking forward to your porch & patio party next week!
View CommentBeth Dunn says
I love that cooking with wine saying too! xoxo
View CommentKristen says
Yum! That pasta looks delish!!
View CommentKim @ Manning Family Tree says
The food looks delish! But you gotta love the pooters!!! Your post was a hoot! You have a fabulous sense of humor. I totally enjoyed it, had to show it to everyone in my office at work. Thanks for the laugh! Did you ever find the mouse? lol.
View CommentLori E says
Okay you had me at hello.
View CommentFirst of all I love kitchen gadgets. I have never seen the meat masher thing-a-ma-bob and will have to get one immediately or we will never eat again here.
I thought I would comment on your pooter to. Now that just sounds rude but hang on. I think they are adorable and know if my kitty was still here that is the first thing he would do.
As for calling it a “pooter”. I am called the Puter Tutor by some of my Senior students that I teach computers to. I guess that means if your pooters act up you can send them to me and I will defrag their mainframes.
bj says
oh my gosh>…THIS looks so delicious…I will have to make some soon…
View CommentYour cat is hugh…and very beautiful!
I have your button on my sidebar for the porch party…should be fun..
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
I haven’t laughed this much reading a post a long time! ‘Pert near done’ and the mouse missing? LOL!
View Commentmarty39 says
Barb, you always crack me up. The kitty case was too much!!! I love this recipe and so glad you posted it again. I forgot to copy it last time. I have it now. I can’t wait to make it. Thanks, Hugs, Marty
View CommentMelissa Miller says
HEHEHE! Your kitties are tooo funny and so are you!
Chestnut LOVES open cases too!
View CommentMust be a NC cat thang…:)
Lori (All That Splatters) says
This looks delicious. I love, love, love your Portuguese pottery dishes! Beautiful!
View CommentAnonymous says
Sounds like a deeelicious dish. Will try it. Love, Love, Love your cat. Aren’t cats the most wonderful pets? Also love the “G” moss covered letter. My name just happens to start with G — Hint, Hint.
View CommentHow is your sweetie doing health-wise?
xxoo Gerry