Category: Dinner

Mexican Lasagna | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Mexican Lasagna

Renee 2 Comments

Mexican Lasagna | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

I am weird. This is probably not news to you. I get obsessed with things, and then I have to turn them into an overly complex list and absorb everything about them. Dance was my first ever obsession, and though I’ve tried to break the habit repeatedly, it keeps worming its way back into my life.

In addition to trying to add a weekly dance class into my busy schedule, I’ve decided to get on YouTube and watch every single season of So You Think You Can Dance. Even the first season I had never seen before. News flash, it was kind of awful. But it’s bringing back so many great memories of fabulous choreography and fantastic personalities. It’s giving me life.

Mexican Lasagna | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

An obsession that completely possessed me later in life is, of course, cooking. This Mexican Lasagna is a perfect example of how deep my obsession goes. I’ve made this recipe many times, but I’ve never eaten it. I’m famously not a fan of vegetables, and this spicy layered dish is loaded with them. Plus some beans and cheese. 

My husband definitely benefits with my obsession as he gets to eat this all by himself every time. So you know that it’s not only tasty the first time around but also makes terrific leftovers. If you are looking for a simple, veggie-filled, all-in-one, dish, Mexican Lasagna is for sure the way to go.

Mexican Lasagna | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

A healthy obsession never hurt anyone, especially when it leads to awesome food.

Mexican Lasagna
Serves 6
Mexican Lasagna is spicy, cheesy, and layered with veggie goodness.
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Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 clove garlic
  2. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  3. 1 onion
  4. 1 bell pepper
  5. 2 serrano peppers or other small chillies
  6. 1 teaspoon salt
  7. 1 can petite diced tomatoes
  8. 1 can petite diced tomatoes with peppers (any combination of 2 cans of tomatoes will do)
  9. 1 tablespoon ketchup
  10. 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  11. 1 can whole kernel corn
  12. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  13. 4 large tortillas
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400 and find your deepest round baking dish, 9 or 10 inches in diameter, at least 2-1/2 inches deep.
  2. Smash your garlic clove with the flat side of your knife and peel the skin off. Toss the whole clove into a skillet with your olive oil and heat over medium. Don't forget to pull this out at the end. Chop your onion, and peppers and add them to the pan. Sprinkle them with salt and allow them to cook and soften for about 15 minutes.
  3. Add the canned tomatoes, then fill each can about 1/4 of the way up with water. Swirl it around to get the tomatoey goodness off the side of the can, then add the water to the pan. Squeeze in the ketchup and allow it all to simmer together for about 10 minutes.
  4. In the meantime, assemble your filling by mixing together black beans, corn, and most of the cheese. Hold a bit back for the very top.
  5. Now it's time to assemble. Start with a few spoonfuls of sauce spread around the bottom of your pan, then lay down a tortilla. Next, add a third of the filling, and some more sauce. Repeat this two more times.
  6. Lay down the final tortilla on the top. Spread the last of your sauce over these, then top the whole thing with some extra shredded cheddar.
  7. Bake this in the oven for 30 minutes. You will may want to put a baking sheet underneath your pan to catch any drips.
  8. When the time is up, let your dish hang out for at least 10 minutes before cutting into it. Slice into wedges like a pie and serve it to your veggie loving friends and family.
Adapted from How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day
Adapted from How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day
http://awesomeon20.com/
Buffalo Chicken Tacos | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Renee Leave a comment

Buffalo Chicken Tacos | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

After a month of pure indulgence, I’m working on taking some control over my body. I’m trying to alternate jogging and yoga, with a weekly dance class thrown in. Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep my dancing addiction under control this time. We’ve also started intermittent fasting again. The first week has been tough but encouraging. I’m already starting to feel better.

People love to tell me I’m dumb for only eating 500 calories in a day, but this is the only thing that works for me. In most other diets, you have to restrict yourself all the time, but with fasting, I can eat pretty much anything I want five days a week. So even when I’m super hungry on a fast day, I know that I just have to keep myself distracted until bedtime, then in the morning I can eat something tasty without feeling guilty. And if I want t have a doughnut every once in a while, I can just do it.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

This probably doesn’t have anything t do with Buffalo Chicken Tacos except for the fact that I can eat them on a non-fast day and feel totally awesome about it. They’re somewhat indulgent with two types of cheese and a drizzle of ranch dressing, but they’re not outrageous. You could even add avocado for a hit f healthy fat if you’re into that sort of thing.

My favorite thing about buffalo chicken anything is the contrast. These tacos marry spicy chicken breast chunks with the funk of blue cheese, the creaminess of cheddar and ranch, and a bit of crunch from a sprinkling of green onions. It’s all wrapped in a chewy whole wheat tortilla. I could eat eight of them, but I don’t because fasting also helps to keep you focused on your goal and recognize the difference between hunger and cravings. I’m in it for the flavors, and the flavors in Buffalo Chicken Tacos are seriously good.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Go on, indulge a little. Make yourself some Buffalo Chicken Tacos. It’s gonna be awesome.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Serves 2
Buffalo Chicken Tacos are a delicious bundle of contrasting flavors.
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Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
10 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. Ingredients
  2. 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
  3. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  4. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  5. 2 tablespoons corn starch
  6. 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  7. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  8. 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
  9. 4 taco size whole wheat tortillas
  10. Toppings
  11. blue cheese, crumbled
  12. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  13. chopped green onions
  14. ranch dressing
  15. extra buffalo sauce
  16. Whatever else you think is awesome
Instructions
  1. Place chicken pieces in a small mixing bowl. Season your chicken pieces with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
  2. Sprinkle corn starch and flour over chicken pieces and toss the chicken with tongs to coat them in the flour.
  3. Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Give the chicken pieces a gentle shake to get rid of any excess flour before adding them to the pan. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
  4. Remove chicken to a clean bowl, then toss with buffalo sauce.
  5. Assemble your tacos, wrap 'em up, and go to town.
Adapted from How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day
Adapted from How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day
http://awesomeon20.com/
Bacon and Egg Salad | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

Bacon and Egg Salad

Renee Leave a comment

Bacon and Egg Salad | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

I never ever want to eat salad. Like basically ever. Every once in a while, I will convince myself to do it. I’ll occasionally swap out french fries for a side salad if I’m feeling really guilty, but only if there’s a creamy dressing of some type. I’ll go to the salad bar at Pizza Hut since it’s included, but it’s mainly to have something to distract me while I wait for cheese and carbs. I seriously don’t think there’s ever been a moment in my life where I thought having a salad was actually a good idea.

Bacon and Egg Salad | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

But I made you a salad anyway because it’s what people do sometimes. It’s okay, though, because I put bacon on it. I also used the bacon grease in the dressing. It’s basically not healthy at all. 

Putting bacon and eggs in a salad is not as awesome as putting them on toast with cheese, but as salads go, this one is pretty good. And you actually feel like you’ve eaten something when you’re done. You’re not just wandering around desperate for more food and feeling like a terrible person because the whole reason you ate a salad in the first place was because you know you eat too much.

Bacon and Egg Salad | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

I’m not really selling this, am I? My point is, this salad doesn’t suck. Make yourself a bacon and egg salad and leave the self-loathing at the door for a night.

Bacon and Egg Salad
Serves 2
Bacon and Egg Salad turns awful into awesome.
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Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
10 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 4 eggs
  2. 1 large head of your favorite lettuce (or two smaller ones, ya know, enough for two people)
  3. 1 garlic clove
  4. 4-6 slices of bacon (whatever's leftover in your fridge)
  5. 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  6. 4 teaspoons cider vinegar
Instructions
  1. Put your eggs in a small saucepan and fill with water just until your eggs are submerged. Put this over high heat and bring to a boil. Allow the water to boil for one minute and then turn off the heat. Leave everything alone for ten minutes. Pour cold water over the eggs, then park them in the fridge until you're ready for them.
  2. Chop or tear your lettuce and throw it in your salad bowl.
  3. Crack a clove of garlic by placing it under the flat of your knife and giving it a good whack. Peel the garlic and put it in your frying pan with just a touch of oil if you have it. Turn the heat under your frying pan to medium
  4. Using scissors, cut your bacon into small pieces over your frying pan. Stir frequently and cook until the bacon is crisp.
  5. Drain the bacon on a paper towel lined plate, and discard the garlic. (Or not, if that's your thing.) Remove the frying pan from the heat.
  6. Add the Dijon mustard to your bacon fat and carefully whisk these two together until combined.
  7. Whisk in the vinegar and Worcestershire.
  8. Season your lettuce if you like and add your bacon and dressing. Toss lightly.
  9. Peel your eggs, then cut them into quarters and add these to your salad. Give it a final gentle toss, then try to convince yourself you're having a healthy meal whilst eating lettuce coated in bacon fat. It's gonna be so awesome!
Adapted from How to be Awesome on $20 a Day
Adapted from How to be Awesome on $20 a Day
http://awesomeon20.com/
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