Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas (Oven or Slow-Cooker)

Update 8/27/17: I finally updated this recipe and took new pictures! I think I've made these hundreds of times since I originally posted this recipe back in 2012!

Update 4/18/13: This recipe was originally posted as just a slow-cooker recipe. While these are great in the slow cooker, I have since made them several times in the oven, and I found I prefer to bake them. So now this recipe has directions for both the slow-cooker, but also the oven (which is the way I prefer them). Don't get me wrong, they're still great in the slow-cooker!

You will need the same ingredients whichever way you prepare them, except for you'll only need 1 jar of salsa if you bake them in the oven.

1 small onion, diced (I use red onion)
1 small bell pepper, diced (any color)
1 can black beans, 16 oz, drained and rinsed
1 c frozen corn
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
2 cups cheese, shredded/divided (I usually buy the 2% shredded Mexican)
2 jars of your favorite salsa (16 oz each) (or only 1 jar if baking in oven)
8 ten inch flour tortillas (or you can use corn tortillas)

If preparing in oven:
In a large skillet over medium heat, spray, and add onion and bell pepper. Saute about 2-3 minutes. Add black beans, corn, and spices. Stir and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat, then add a cup of the cheese, and about 1/2 c salsa.

Pour about a 1/2 cup of salsa into the bottom of a sprayed 9x13" baking dish and spread around. Scoop the black bean mixture into a tortilla, roll it, and place in dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas and mixture. Pour the rest of the jar of salsa over the top of the enchiladas. You should have some of the bean/corn mixture left, so just sprinkle that on top. Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 20 min. Serve with whatever extras you like. I always use a little light sour cream.


If preparing in slow-cooker:
In a bowl, mix together the onion, bell pepper, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, and salt, and 1/2 a cup of the cheese. Pour about a cup of salsa (half the jar) into the bottom of crock pot and spread around. Scoop the black bean mixture into a tortilla, roll it, and nestle it into the bottom of the crock pot. Repeat with 3 more enchiladas, Pour another cup of salsa over this layer and sprinkle it with about 1/2 c of cheese. Repeat by rolling 4 more enchiladas and creating a second layer, then topping again with remaining salsa and cheese.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. You can also cook on high for 2-4 hours, which is supposed to be a little better than cooking on low. I did low because I let it cook while I was at work.

Original recipe found here.

Our fave tortillas - only 70 cal!

Right before I popped them in the oven. 

Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Subs

These were really good! I love an easy and tasty crock pot dish.

3 chicken breasts
1/2 c buffalo wing sauce
3 tsp garlic powder
1/3 c chicken broth
1/4 c ranch dressing
1 tbsp butter
sub rolls
shredded monterey jack cheese
shredded lettuce

Place chicken breasts into the bottom of crock pot and top with buffalo sauce, chicken broth, and garlic powder. Cook on Low 4-5 hours. Shred the chicken and stir in the ranch dressing and butter. Continue cooking for 30 more min. Pile chicken mixture on top of subs and top with monterey jack cheese and shredded lettuce. YUM!

Original recipe found here.

Mexican Lasagna

Another fun recipe coming to you courtesy of Pinterest. I pretty much use Pinterest for food purposes only. This dish was different and REALLY good. Like surprisingly good. Delish!

1 can black beans, drained/rinsed
1 1/2 c frozen corn kernels
5 green onions, chopped
1/2 c chopped cilantro
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
no-boil lasagna noodles
1 bag shredded Mexican blend cheese
hot sauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x9" dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, green onions, cilantro, oregano, garlic, salt, and cumin. Spread a thin layer of crushed tomatoes on the bottom of the dish - about 1/5 of the can. Layer with lasagna noodles, breaking if needed to fit in the pan. On top of the noodles, spread about 1/3 of the beans mixture. Then, layer with crushed tomatoes, some hot sauce, and sprinkle on some cheese. Repeat: noodles, beans, tomatoes, cheese... noodles, beans, tomatoes, cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake about 45 min. Remove foil and cook about 5 more min. Let cool 10 min before serving!

Original recipe found here!

Mini Lasagnas

These were so fun to make! AND super tasty.

12 oz lean ground beef
salt/pepper
1 c chopped onion
14.5 oz can tomato sauce
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 tsp dried oregano, divided
1 tsp dried basil, divided
1 1/2 c part skim ricotta cheese
24 small square wonton wrappers (you can find them in the produce dept)
1 1/2 c red-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onions, and sprinkle some salt and pepper. After the meat has browned, add the garlic and stir constantly for 30 sec. Add the pasta sauce and 2 tsp oregano. Bring the pan to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 min.

In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta with some salt and pepper, 1 tsp of oregano, and 1/2 tsp basil. Stir together.

Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place one wonton wrapper in each of the 12 cups, pressing firmly in the bottom of the cup and up the sides. Using half the ricotta mixture, divide it among the 12 muffin cups. Next, using half of the meat sauce, spoon it evenly over the ricotta. Sprinkle a little mozzarella on top of that. Then press another wonton on top of the mozzarella layer. Repeat - ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella. Bake for 15 min, or until the cheese has melted and wonton wrappers are crispy. Let cool in the pan, sprinkle a little basil on top, then enjoy!

Original recipe found here. Great step-by-step pictures.

Italian Cream Bundt Cake

I bought a bundt pan back in December so I could make sticky buns Christmas morning. So, when I saw a recipe for Italian Cream cake (which I love) in a bundt pan... I knew it was time to pull out the bundt pan for the second time. Glad I did. This is wonderful!

1 stick of butter
2 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5 egg yolks
1/2 c olive oil
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 c low fat buttermilk
1/2 c shredded coconut
1 c finely-chopped walnuts
5 egg whites (beat until stiff peaks)

For the icing:
1 block red-fat cream cheese
1 stick butter
2 c powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a mixer, cream together sugar and butter, then add vanilla extract. Then, add the 5 separated egg yolks and olive oil, and mix and beat until fluffy. In a separate bowl, prepare the dry ingredients-  the flour and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk - add about 1/4 c at a time. Next, mix in the walnuts and coconut.

In another bowl, beat the egg whites until they have stiff peaks - I had no clue what that meant so I googled it. :) Then, with a spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the batter using the figure 8 pattern. Spoon the batter into a greased bundt pan as evenly as possible. Bake for about 1 hour.

To make the icing: Beat together all the ingredients, then drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Original recipe found here.