massi's table

I know how it is when one is in a hurry and you want to eat something good, tasteful and somewhat healthy and be quick. If you can spare 30 minutes, if that, you can have a dozen of these made in a batch and nuke them as you need them. I got this recipe from my Biggest Loser workout DVD, which they promote alot of JenniO Turkey. It's also on the JenniO Turkey packages as well at times.

I just made my first batch of these tonight and they are great! I hope you enjoy and that they become a favorite as well.

1. Preheat oven to 400. Meanwhile spray 12 muffin tan pan with olive oil spray, and not the jumbo size ones, just the normal muffin size.
2. Cut the tortillas in half and then in quarters and then each quarters until you have 8 pieces per tortilla. Put two pieces of tortilla in each muffin tin. Place wide side down with the pointed end towards top. Overlap the two wide ends slightly on bottom of pan. Put a whole sausage link in each tin. Which would be two half links.
3. Next, put 1 Tbsp of salsa on top of sausage and 2-3 Tbsp of egg substitute over it.
4. Once all are filled, place in oven and bake for 10-11 minutes. Until eggs isn't runny and it starts to puff up. Will start seperating from bottom and sides of muffin tin.
5. Take out of oven and place the muffins on a seperate dish. Top with shredded cheese. If you like you can add the olives and cilantro. Should be 2 servings per person...at least that is what the recipes calls for.

I hope you enjoy this. You can get creative with this one. Let me know what you think.

This is for Susan. I hope you enjoy this one. I think it will become one of your Families favorites! It is mine.

1. In a large pot, add Chicken breast and water to cover, bring to a boil and once it is cooked and not pink, drain and pull upart the chicken.
2. In a large deep pot, add oil or pam spray to coat bottom of pot. Add onion and garlic, cook until they start sweating a bit. Add green chiles, salsa, chicken, beans and stir it up well.
3. After everything is mixed well add the cumin powder, cubed cheese and black pepper. Cook at medium low until all cheese is melted. If needed, add salt, but it's full of flavor as it is with the cheese and salsa. It has a nice little bite, but it is not spicy.

Susan, I hope you enjoy this. You can alter the ingredients easily in adding more beans or whatever else you like. Let me know if you try it. I think this will be a winner for the holidays.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, and the shopping season has started, it's very busy to plan healthy yet quick recipes. It's been definitely busy here and a bit cold, might I add. Although the sun is out, there is still room for some Chili!

Chili can be pronounced and used different ways. One way it's pronounced is, "Chile" as in a hot pepper, usually narrow, tapering in shape in red or green pods. They are produced by various capsicum pepper plants. Different native and Spanish culture use them in their dishes and also eat them whole. My Husband, Jesus, enjoys a good Jalapeno on the side with a more flavorful yet mild dish, perhaps Tilapia Fish.

The "Chili" I am referring to is what us, North Americans, enjoy on a cold fall or winters day. Usually with saltines, or bread & butter, some even Mac 'n' Cheese.

I've been on a health kick here, so I've altered the Chili a bit. I have numerous ways of dishing this out, but for today this is what I have cooking on my stove.

1. Cook the ground Turkey in a good size pot. Once crumbled and cooked thoroughly add the red onions and garlic. Cook 1 minute until they start sweating. Then add the Black and Red pepper, ground mustard, Cumin powder, Bay leaves, and the Taco Sauce. Stir until everything is mixed well in.
2. Add all the beans with the liquids, give it a good stir then add the stewed and diced canned tomatoes. Mix everything well. At a medium low bring to a light boil then let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add salt at end to your taste.

Notice there is no fat in this or starch carbs. High fiber and protein only. I like eating this with crumbled tortilla chips or corn bread muffins are good as well. For the health conscious and watching the fat and carbs I would just add some low fat shredded cheese on top and eat baked potato with it or some whole wheat bread. That is how I will be enjoying it.

It is that time of year again, when everyone looks forward to Turkey, Pie, Family gatherings and Football, for some. In the Mesa household growing up there was no such thing as Football on Thanksgiving, not even your typical traditional American fixings with the Turkey. Our Turkey was always accompanied by Congri, which is a White Rice & Black Bean mixture, your usual fried Plantain Bananas, Yucca, it is root vegetable, more starchy like a Potato, that is moist, soft, a bit fibery in texture and flavored with a Mojo. Mojo is a marinate made with Olive oil, Garlic, Lemon juice and salt. So Good! Of course you can't forget the Tamales, Flan de Leche and we would throw in a Apple & Pumpkin Pie.

After the years it has grown tiring and boring having the same type of food, although it is very much enjoyed. Enjoyed so much that Christmas Eve would be a reliving of Thanksgiving but other dishes are added in and more sweets. This year I have decided to change everything and shock the hardcore White Rice, Black Bean eating Cuban Family members of mine. I introduce our renewed menu for this Thanksgiving.

1. In a deep pan or pot, cook the chopped bacon. Once the grease starts to run add the onions and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add the water and green beans. Cook uncovered until the water evaporates. By that time the green beans should be soft, if not, add more water.
3. Once beans are soft and water is evaporated add salt & pepper to taste. Yields 15 servings.

This may be a temporary thing. We will see how it goes and if I get around to posting anything. Migue & Danae have inspired me. Would you work in my kitchen?