Slow Cooker Taco Meat

"This taco meat is perfect for lunch, dinner or even potlucks.  It uses only 4 ingredients and can be served right from your slow-cooker.  It would be perfect for tacos, enchiladas and as a beefy topping for nachos."

2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, diced
1-(1.25 ounce) packet taco seasoning
1-(8 ounce) Frontera Texas Original Taco Skillet Sauce*
3/4 cup water

Brown ground beef with onion.  Drain beef and place in slow cooker that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Add taco seasoning packet, skillet sauce and water and stir to combine.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

*NOTE:  I found the Frontera Taco Skillet Sauce on the ethnic aisle of my local grocery store.  If you are unable to find it, you could substitute a different brand or canned enchilada sauce.

Vanilla Almond Cupcakes

"Hippity Hoppity, Easter's on It's Way!"

Vanilla Almond Cupcakes 

1 white cake mix (eggs, oil and water called for on the box)

1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Follow the directions on the cake mix, adding almond and vanilla extracts. Pour batter into cupcake liners, filling each 2/3 full.  Bake following box instructions for cupcakes.   Allow cupcakes to cool completely and frost and decorate.

 

Whipped Vanilla Almond Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup shortening

1 stick or 1/2 cup of butter, softened

1/2 of a 2 pound bag of powdered sugar, or you can use a 1 pound box

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons almond extract

desired amount of green food coloring (I used 6 drops to make a light green color.)

candy decorations, if desired

Using the whip attachment of your mixer, whip together butter and shortening. Add powdered sugar a little at a time until all combined. Add vanilla and almond extracts. Color with food coloring.  Frost cupcakes and decorate.  (I used a Wilton #233 tip to pipe the frosting on the cupcakes to resemble grass for the little bunnies to sit in.)  Store cupcakes in the refrigerator until needed.

*TIP:  If frosting is too thick, you can thin it out with milk.  I have also used corn syrup to thin the frosting, which gives the icing a nice sheen.

To see more yummy cupcake recipes, please visit my Kandy's Kupcakes page:
http://kandyskitchenkreations.blogspot.com/p/kandys-kupcakes.html

Red Potatoes & Onions

"This is an easy and inexpensive side dish and is perfect whether you serve it alongside eggs at breakfast time or your main dish at dinner time!"

4 red potatoes, unpeeled
1 small onion, sliced
2 Tablespoons canola oil
2 Tablespoons butter
salt and pepper, to taste

Par-boil whole potatoes in salted water for 10 minutes.  Drain potatoes and slice.  In a sauté pan, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat.  Add sliced potatoes and onions and season with desired amount of salt and pepper.  Sauté until potatoes and onions are tender, about 10-15 minutes.  ENJOY!