Archive for October, 2010

Oct 31

Taco Salad Recipe

How about something different today? I wanted to share a family favorite recipe with all of you. A while back I found a recipe for Taco Salad online. I was looking for something different from what I usually did for Taco Salad, which was basically tacos with more lettuce … in a bowl. I tried this recipe and it was a hit from the first go round.

If you want to see the original recipe, go here.

I have made a few adjustments to the recipe to suit my family’s tastes and just from making it a few times. Feel free to take my changes and change them again! I’d love to hear if you try this recipe and what you did to change it up, or if you kept it the same.

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Taco Salad

1 1/2 lb. ground round
1 envelope taco mix
1 teaspoon cumin
1 head lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
1 green pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, choped
1 can niblets whole corn, drained
1 can (15 oz.) red kidney beans, washed and drained
1 bag nacho cheese Doritos
Sour cream
Shredded Cheese

Dressing
1 c. salad oil
1/3 c. ketchup
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. vinegar

Brown and drain hambuger, add water and taco mix according to the instructions on the taco mix. Set aside once finished.

In large bowl combine letuce, green, yellow, and red peppers, niblet corn, and kidney beans. Toss throughly.

In seperate bowl combine the ingredients for the Dressing, whisk well.

Add taco meat, dressing (we actually only add about 2/3 of the dressing, your tastes may vary), and cumin to bowl with the salad ingredients. Toss well.

To serve: Crush Doritos into individual bowls, add salad and top with sour cream and shredded cheese.

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I have found that by not adding the doritos with the salad as the original recipe suggests, the chips are crunchy while you are eating it. I would imagine all mixed it they would get soggy quick. I also add more cumin right into my bowl as it seems the taco flavor diminshes a bit when everything is added together.

I have to say that the Taco Salad keeps very well in the fridge. The lettuce still has a crunch to it for the next few days. In fact we almost prefer this recipe as a leftover because the flavors seem to infuse even more.

Happy Eating!
Rachel

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Oct 29

My Christmas Quilt

I thought it might be fun to participate in Amy’s Blogger’s Quilt Festival today.

This is Amy’s fourth Quilt Fesitval, and I have always enjoyed looking at all the inspiration. This year I have a blog, so why not participate!? If you click on the banner above, you will be taken to the post about how the quilt festival works and also get to see all the other blogs that are participating and sharing a quilt that they love.

So without furhter ado, my entry is a Christmas quilt I have. This quilt was finished about two years ago. I was seeing Christmas quilts around the web, and I felt inspired to make something with a little bit of red and green. I went out and bought the fabrics and put together the whole quilt, start to finish, in about two weeks.

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The pattern I used is called ‘Stacked Coins’. It’s a really simple pattern where you sew short strips of fabric together, one on top of the other. I used a peppermint fabric to bind the quilt (kind of hard to see here, sorry).

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I used a penguin flannel for the back. The fabric I had ended up being just a tad short, so I pieced a strip to go in the middle to make everything fit right.

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My son loves this quilt, and I sometimes have to remind him that it’s not really his. Though if he were to press the point, he would probably get it anyway. My son has an obsession with blankets, the more the merrier for him. He can often be seen sleeping under up to 10 blankets and quilts at night! I’m not complaining though, at least I know the quilts I make are truly loved.

Happy Quilting!
Rachel

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Oct 29

Quilty Inspiration

This week’s quilty inspiration is from Ashley of Film in the fridge.

If you click on the picture above, you will be brought to the free pattern for this quilt from Robert Kaufman. It was designed by Ashley for them. I love everything about this pattern, it is pretty simple to make, but has a great visual impact. I love that it is slightly wonky, and the blocks of patterned fabrics would be a great way to show off any fabric line. I have a few quilts planned for this pattern.

Happy Quilting!
Rachel

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Oct 27

I’m a Winner!

I usually enter quite a few blog giveaways, especially if they involve pretty fabrics. So far I have not been very lucky in becoming a winner of any of these. As you might guess by the title, I finally did win something! I not only won my very first giveaway about a month ago, but a week or two later I won my second, and then just yesterday I won my third. I am excited beyond words!

My first giveaway that I won was from Wendy of ‘Why Knot?‘. Look at the lovely, yumminess I won!

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It is a Halloween charm pack, a Halloween panel, and a little yardage. If you weren’t already aware, I LOVE Halloween, so I think this fabric just knew it would find a good home with me. I don’t have any plans for this yet, but I cannot wait to dive in!

My second giveaway was won over at Stash Manicure. I won this stunning fat quarter pack from the Sweet Divinity Line by Riley Blake.

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There was a bit of a mix up and there ended up being two winners announced for one prize, but Madame Samm was beyond sweet and had a chat with the giveaway sponsor, Riley Blake, and she decided to award the prize to both of us! Riley Blake only asked that I make a project with my winnings soon so she can use the picture for promotion. I think I can handle that.

I have never owned a fat quarter pack before, so before I cut into this one, I have been admiring it in all it’s packaged prettiness. I have an idea rolling around in my head for what I will make with this, and hopefully I will have something to show you soon!

My third giveaway was won at Crafty Musings. She was having a giveaway to celebrate her 501st post (I haven’t even come close to that!), and I entered on a whim and I was the big winner. The prize was a $25.00 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. I have a few things on my wish list, so I guess it’s time to go shopping.

So there you have it, I am a winner thrice over, and it’s not only my mom that says so!

Happy Quilting!
Rachel

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Oct 24

Baby Girl Quilt

I have had very rare opportunities to make a quilt for a girl thus far. I only have a son, my sister only has a son, and all my friends have boys. So it came with great joy to hear that my sister would be having a baby girl in December. I cannot wait to make all kinds of girly things!! First up was a baby quilt.

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I hadn’t trimmed one side for this pic, but all I did was cut random strips of patterned fabric from one line and interspersed it with a pretty pink batik. Here’s a closer shot of the fabrics I used.

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It was very simple to make, but I think it came out so adorable!! This is my very first all pink quilt. Let’s hope the baby doesn’t surprise us and come out a boy though! Here’s the fabric I will be using for the back:

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I can’t wait to get this one quilted up. Next up for the baby girl, a tutu!

Happy Quilting!
Rachel

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Oct 22

Quilty Inspiration

This week’s inspiration is from A Quilt is Nice.

I really love this design. It is very simple and can be seen all over the web, but there is something to be said about a simple design. It leaves you a lot of room to make the quilt shine just from the choices in fabric more so than the complicated piecing. This particular version appealed to me because the boxes are just slightly wonky. I love a little wonkiness in my quilts because it means I don’t have to worry so much about lining everything up just so. I have never actually made a boxy quilt, but it is on my to-do list once I find the perfect fabrics for it.

Happy Quilting!
Rachel

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