Mexican Style Brown Rice Casserole

This is another great meal to bring to a family in need or to freeze for later. I often make a double batch so that I have the luxury of a freezer meal. If you like Mexican food, you will love this. It's packed full of protein - so perfect for a mama who just had a baby.

This recipe is also very flexible. Substitute any ingredients you like or add more spices, if you don't care for spinach go ahead and add brocolli!

Happy cooking!

Mexican Style Brown Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked brown rice
16 oz. fresh salsa
1 pound ground beef, cooked
1 tsp ground cumin
15 oz of refried beans (the kind without hydrogenated lard in it)
10 oz frozen corn kernels, thawed
4 oz can mild diced green chilis
1 Tbsp chilli powder (homemade chilli powder recipe)
10 oz of chopped frozen spinach or collard greens, thawed and drained
Shredded cheese


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 2 quart dish with coconut oil or butter.

In a bowl, combine rice, salsa, cumin and cooked ground beef. Spoon half the mixture into a 9x13 baking dish and spread evenly. In another bowl, combine refried beans, corn, diced green chilis, and chili powder. Scrape bean mixture on top of rice layer and then add the drained spinach on top of bean layer. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with remaining rice mixture and sprinkle with more cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

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"In times of aridity when I am incapable of praying, of practicing virtue, I seek little opportunities, mere trifles, to give pleasure to Jesus; for instance a smile, a pleasant word when inclined to be silent and to show weariness. If I find no opportunities, I at least tell Him again and again that I love Him; that is not difficult and it keeps alive the fire in my heart. Even though this fire of love might seem extinct I would still throw little straws upon the embers and I am certain it would rekindle."  - St. Therese of the Child Jesus

German Potato Salad

Growing up my mother made a delicious German potato salad. All eleven of us children loved it and gobbled it up happily for dinner. This recipe is similar in taste, just the real food version. My mother's recipe was delicious, but was made with canola oil, white sugar and vinegar. Just as simple and tasty, the recipe will make you feel better about feeding your family a nourishing potato salad.

This makes a great side dish for chicken and an easy side salad for parties or meals for families in need. If you like vinegar potato salads with a little kick, you will love this recipe! It has been adapted from this recipe.

Here you go!

German Potato Salad

Serves 6-8 side servings

Ingredients:

12-16 medium red potatoes
1/2 c. raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. dry mustard
Freshly ground pepper
4 cloves of garlic, mashed
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions:

Wash and boil the potatoes until a knife jabbed in the middle meets little resistance. (you don't want the potatoes to be too mushy.) Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool.

Meanwhile, make the dressing by adding the  remaining ingredients in a bowl, mix thoroughly. When the potatoes are cooled, cube or slice into a bowl. Add the dressing and toss all together. Taste test and add more vinegar, olive oil or salt to taste.

The salad can be served warm or cold, depending on your taste. Serve and enjoy!

“Would that mortal men might know how wonderful is divine grace, how beautiful, how precious; what riches are hidden therein, what treasures, what joys, what delights. If they but knew, surely they would direct their energy with all care and diligence to procuring sufferings and afflictions for themselves. Instead of good fortune all men everywhere would seek out troubles, illness and suffering that they might obtain the inestimable treasure of grace. This is the final profit to be gained from patient endurance. No one would complain about the cross or about hardships coming seemingly by chance upon him, if he realized in what balance they are weighed before being distributed to men.”

- St. Rose of Lima