Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Hump Day Happenings

Made a big pot of split pea soup with the ham bone left over from Easter.  It was a cold and rainy day when I made this, so it hit the spot.
This is when I put it on in the morning.  It cooked all day, and we had it for dinner, and Drew came over after work to finish it off.  No picture of the finished soup.
Yesterday we had our two solar tubes installed.  What a difference those make!  We have a couple rooms here that tend to be very dark.  So Greg wanted to have this done before the new roof goes on next week.  We put one in our master bath dressing area, and one in the bathroom/laundry room off the pool.  This bathroom has no window, and it is cave dark!!  I keep a nightlight on in that room all the time.  No need to anymore!

I keep walking past that room thinking someone left a door open.  It is so bright.
Last night I made Mexican Pizza for dinner.  I saw this on my friend Pam's blog..For the love of cooking.   She has the most beautiful food blog!  I have gotten so many ideas from her posts of creative food ideas.  I have made tacos and tostados for my family many times, but never done this method before.  I didn't actually follow her recipe, but instead I made my ground beef mixture like I usually do, and added a package of taco seasoning and simmered.  Then followed her method for preparing the tortillas and baking in the oven. 
Place silpat sheet on cooking tray.  Lay flour tortilla on silpat and spread with refried beans.  I didn't even heat these, just scooped it from can onto tortilla.  Place generous amount of seasoned beef on top.  Then lay another flour tortilla over top. 
I was able to fit two pizzas on one large sheet.  Place these into a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 min.  The tortillas will crisp up nicely for the next step.
When they come out of the oven, spread tops with salsa.  On top of that sprinkle your cheese.  Then put back into oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
This is before they went back into the oven to melt.  About this time, we got a visitor, and I got sidetracked.   Take them out after cheese is melted, and top with whatever you like.  I didn't have any cilantro which I love with Mexican food.  I couldn't believe I didn't have a single ripe avocado either!  We have 6 avocado trees, and I didn't have a single one to use!  We even picked a bunch last weekend, but I guess we gave them all away. 
When our visitor came, we all sat down to eat, and I didn't get a picture of it all pretty on the plate.  This is the other half of mine, still on the baking sheet.  I topped them with sliced olives, fresh tomatoes, lettuce and green onions.  But next time I plan to have avocado and some Mexican Cotija cheese!!!   Oh and cilantro too.  These were DELICIOUS!!!!!!!  We all loved them, and I couldn't believe I had never done Mexican this way before. So easy, and healthier than frying taco shells too.    Greg mentioned that he thought these would make nice appetizers cut into wedges too.  Thanks Pam...you rock!!!

16 comments:

deb said...

wow those look delicious....I need to try them....topped with guac and sour cream,,,,to die for!!! OH and minus the beans...ewwwwwww.....cant do beans, its a texture thing:)
Love the solar tubes, wish I had one in my closet!!!!!!!

Debbie said...

Oh Kris this sounds soo yummy. I see it with a dab of sour cream too. mmmmm I am going to copy this and send it to Mel. She loves to cook and is always looking for new recipes. Wish I could eat this tonight...Mexican anything sounds soo good to me right now..sigh...Have a good day. Oh, love the solar tubes too.

Genn said...

Yummy lookin soup! Yummy lookin pizza!
Can't wait to see the new sky lights. I bet you love them!

PS- The recipe I have written down for the mac salad, you wrote out for me! So I guess you mixed up your potato salad with your mac salad, but you know what? It works! I like the olives in it. And I'm sure the sour cream doesn't hurt it. ;)

Pss- The computer is hit n miss. It keeps blacking out. She might need to be replaced.

Kris said...

Oh geez...I guess I was in high dyslexia mode when I wrote that out. See why I don't use recipes...it is all in my head!

Katie said...

Oh Wowo Yummo, that soup looks so darn good! And I swear I can smell the Mexican Pizza thru the Puter!
Like your new header photo, I've seen that rock before haven't I? I vaguely remember my Dad stealing one like that from ya'll when we lived on Merrywood Lane or maybe it was vice versa~don't remember!
Happy Hump Day!

Kristi said...

Hi Kris!

Wow, that looks sooo yummy!! I love all of your great recipes!

I see you got your margins changed, it looks really good, and how awesome are your pictures big like that??? I love it!

Maryrose said...

Looks yummy, I havent had split pea soup in a while. My mom always made that. Also your Mexican pizzas look yummy and easy. Great combo in my book :)

Kris said...

Hey Kristi,,,yeah, I was going to email you. I have been working on it, and playing with colors and stuff. It was super easy peasy to change the numbers and get just what I wanted. Thanks for your help!!!

Stacey said...

Ok, that pizza makes my mouth water.. I WILL be making these soon :) My husband said they look delicious too!!

Kristi said...

Kris you are soooooo welcome!!! I love to help out when I can! I'm loving seeing your pictures so big, they are so pretty!!!!

Amy said...

I just wrote on Genn's blog that you and her both always have the best recipes! Now I have another one to add. I want to make these mexican pizzas for sure. I have probably printed and made and saved most of the recipes you've posted :) They are always so good. Thanks!

Helen said...

I love those Solatubes! When we remodeled we put four in - one in each of the bathrooms and one in the kitchen - they really save on the need to turn a light on. The strange time is the night of the full moon - I constantly think I left a light on. Your pea soup looks great - I have really been in the mood for it - have to try and get a pot made before the weather turns warm!

Pam said...

6 avocado trees? You are SO LUCKY! The pizzas look great, I am so glad you guys liked the recipe - they were a big hit here too. Thanks for the shoutout!

Tawny said...

That pizza looks SO SO SO good! Yummy!

Renee said...

That looks great.

Just found your blog and added it to my favorites.

Love your pics of your grands.

Cathy said...

Wow, those Mexican pizzas look fantastic! Pam always has the best recipes on her blog. This is a must try.

Isn't it amazing what the addition of a skylight can do! Especially in a bathroom.