Autumn Hayride Casserole

I have no idea where the name came from

for this

Autumn Hayride Casserole

1 lb. ground beef, browned                                          1 c. all-purpose flour

1-1/2 t. salt, divided                                                     1/2 c. cornmeal

I1/2 t. chili powder                                                       2 T. sugar

2 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded                                     1 t. baking powder

and divided                                                                   1/4 c. butter

1/2 c. barbecue sauce                                                  1/2 c. milk

1-1/2 c. Mexican-style corn                                        1 egg, beaten

8-oz. can tomato sauce

Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar,
baking powder and one teaspoon salt,
1/2 cup cheese; cut in butter.

Blend in milk and egg

Combine ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, chili powder,

one cup Cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce,

corn and tomato sauce; set aside

Spread half of the cornmeal mixture over the bottom
and sides of an ungreased 9" square baking pan.
Pour ground beef mixture on top of crust

sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Pour reserved half of cornmeal mix on top

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes;

Jalapeno Dip

This is my latest obsession

I didn't think I would like it

when the waitress at Chuy's put it on our table

but I was hooked!

I decided to try to make a healthier version of it

This can be used as a salad dressing, dip

I even added some to tunafish to give it a zip

1 1/3 C Fage 0% Greek yogurt

1/3 C Buttermilk

jalapeno (chopped in a can ) to taste - I start w 1/2 tsp

4 oz can diced green chiles

1/2 bunch cilantro chopped or more to taste

1 one oz pkg Ranch Dressing Mix or 1 Tbsp of make your own*

                                                                            

Add all ingredients to a blender and give it a whirl 

It will be runny at first but will firm up

after cooled

Calories-307 w pkg mix  - 11.3 calories per Tbsp

240 w home made  8 calories per Tbsp

*Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix

Yield: 3 Tablespoons (about 2 packets)

2 Tbs. dried parsley 
2 tsp. dried dill  
1 tsp. garlic powder 
1 tsp. onion powder 
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried chives
Small pinch of salt

Mix all together and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months

Total 25 calories

Ham and Beans

 This is one of those comfort food

I soak a bag of white beans overnight

The first thing in the am I rinse them off

Add the beans and cover with water

Add a hambone

and let the slow cooker do its magic all day on high

After they cook for the day pull out the hambone

and shred the ham

Let it cook down until the beans are mushy

Serve with cornbread

I occasionally add green chiles

..Easy peasy....