Mexican Rice Casserole

I made this the other night for dinner and my kids loved it! I was trying to figure out a way to use the new WIC food of brown rice. I did not think my kids would eat it but I was wrong!

Mexican Rice Dinner

1/2 pound lean ground beef

2 tablespoons diced onion

1 large green pepper, chopped

16 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained

8 oz. can tomato sauce

1/4 cup water

1 package taco seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 cup instant brown rice, uncooked (WIC FOOD)

In a non stick skillet, brown beef, onions, and peppers. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker,except rice. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Stir in rice, cover and cook until rice is tender, about 15 minutes.

Yields: 6 servings (about 1 cup each)

Per Serving: 272 calories, 2g fat, 6g fiber

Taco Junk

I made this last night and my kids loved it. Even my picky non-veggie eater ate it.

Taco Junk
1 lb lean beef
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can pinto beans, drained(WIC FOOD)
1 can corn, drained
16 oz salsa1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 pkg reduced sodium taco seasoning mix
Brown beef and drain grease. Add all ingredients to crockpot and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Serving size is 1/2 cup
Note: Serve with lettuce, reduced fat cheese, sour cream and tortillas. Also good over rice or used as a filling in tacos or tortillas.

Corndog Muffins

My kids like these for lunch. They also freeze really well!

Corndog Muffins
2 packages Jiffy cornbread mix
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 eggs (WIC food)
1 1/2 cups milk (WIC food)
1 cup grated Cheddar Cheese (WIC food)
4 hot dogs, chopped into pieces
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease muffin tins. Stir together the cornbread mix and the brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the eggs and cheese into the dry mixture until moistened. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add chooped hot dogs among muffins. Bake in preheated oven 14-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Makes 18 muffins
Can also add bacon or ham instead of hotdogs.

Buttermilk Pancakes

We had this yesterday morning, very good!

Buttermilk Pancakes

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons sugar

2 cups non-fat buttermilk

2 eggs, slightly beaten (WIC food)

Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl. Measure the milk and add the eggs to the milk. Pour wet into dry and mix. Some lumps are okay. Cook on a nonstick griddle. Flip when bubbles appear. I used 1/4 cup batter per pancake.

Makes 6 servings

Calories 214, Fat 2.8 grams, Fiber 1.1 grams

Note: I served with sausage links and bananas (WIC food), and pancake syrup

Frozen Grapes

These are a perfect summertime treat!

Frozen Grapes
Grapes (WIC food)
Wash and separate the grapes. Drain and put on cookie sheet. Freeze. Store in freezer bags. Give to kids as frozen treats.
Note: Do not thaw; grapes become mushy when thawed.

Edible Play Dough

I have been watching a lot of reruns of Jon and Kate plus 8 and I saw the Valentine's Day one where she made edible play dough and I knew I wanted to try that out with my kids. We have played with lots of other homemade play dough and the kids love it. So, I knew they would love this and we would also have a snack! I did not tell my kids that it was edible, but they figured out. Actually my 2 year old figured it out first. This lasted about an hour and half of playing with and eating. Make sure you get your kids to wash their hands before playing with the edible play dough. My kids also loved helping make it!

Here's the recipe:

Jon and Kate plus 8 Edible Play Dough

Mix equal parts of

powdered milk

honey

peanut butter (WIC food)

Add flour to reach play dough consistency.

Play and enjoy!