Drew's Birthday Dinner, Part II

This past weekend we were in NJ for my brother Ian's wedding to Kim. It was an AMAZING weekend filled with AMAZING food. Most times I was too "lit" to take pics, so I apologize, but the food was outstanding.

Drew's birthday was Sunday, and it ended up being overshadowed by the wedding, which was ok. We went out to Applebees last night when we got home to celebrate, and tonight I made him his favorite dinner, NACHOS. And Apple Pie for dessert.

First up, the nachos. I had taken ground turkey out of the freezer initially planning on making BBQ Meatloaf for dinner, but then saw a recipe for nachos and was JONSING big time.

So, I looked at a Weight Watchers recipe I found on a blog, but I adapted it, ok pretty much changed it entirely to make it my own.

Turkey Nachos

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1.3 lbs Ground Turkey (most packs of ground turkey are ~1.3lbs.)
1/2 onion chopped
1 garlic cloved, minced
4 Tablespoons taco seasoning
15 oz. can of black beans, rinsed and drained
16oz. jar of salsa or taco sauce (original recipe called for "taco sauce" which is a smooth, runny sauce, but I used chunky southwest style salsa with chunk veggies)

Directions:

1.) In a large pan on medium heat, saute the onions and garlic in the olive oil until tender, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add ground turkey and break up as it's cooked, until browned.
2.) Add taco seasoning and continue to brown.
3.) Add black beans to the mixture and then add the salsa/taco sauce.
4.) Simmer until thoroughly heated.

Here's what mine came out looking like:



Then, choose your toppings:
-Cheddar Cheese
-Sour Cream
-Fresh Salsa
-Etc.

We used Tostito's Scoops, cause it's really fun to build your own nachos!



And then time for dessert!!

This is a direct recipe from Better Homes and Garden's Cook Book.





Apple Pie

Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 1 hour
Oven: 375°
Makes: 8 Servings

Ingredients:
2 Pillsbury (or whatever brand) roll out pie crusts or your own crust dough
6 cups thinly sliced, peeled cooking apples (I used 3 large apples, 2 granny smith, one gala)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
3/4 cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/3 cup dried cranberries (optional- I’ve done the pie with and without, both awesome!)
Milk (optional)
Sugar (optional)

Directions:

1.) Prepare and roll out Pastry for double crust pie. Line a 9” pie plate with half of the pastry.
2.) If desired, sprinkle apples with lemon juice. (this also keep them from browning)
3.) In a large bowl stir together the ¾ cup sugar, the flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add apple slices, and if desired, cranberries. Gently toss until coated.
4.) Transfer apple mixture to the pastry lined pie plate. Trim bottom pastry to edge of plate. Cut slits in the remaining pastry; place on top of filling and seal. Crimp edge as desired.
5.) If desired, brush top pastry with milk and sprinkle with additional sugar. To prevent over browning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in a 375° oven for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes or until fruit is tender and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

Every cook/baker has their trademark design for pies, mine is a scripted A. This time I added a small "30" for my love's birthday.





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Well, the nachos were sooo amazing, and there's PLENTY of meat left for taco salads for lunches the next few days! Yum!

I need to get off here to cut the pie and servie it up ala mode to the "birtday boy!" Yes, I meant birtday...

I'll let you know how the pie was, but between the golden brown look of it and the divine smell, I'm sure you know!