Spaghetti West Texas

Chad's Granny Melba passed this recipe to my mother-in-law, Eloise, who made it for us.  The first time she made it I enjoyed it so much I ended up eating the leftovers EVERY.SINGLE.DAY for four days.  I'm NOT a spaghetti fan but this is different and the green olives are salty and a little surprise in each bite.  Enjoy!

1 pound of spaghetti (cook separately)

2lbs. ground beef

1 small jar of green olives, sliced

2 bags of sharp shredded cheese

1 large (46oz) can of tomato juice

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 small onion

1 tsp. pepper

Brown ground beef in a deep pot.  Add ALL of the tomato juice, chili powder, onion and pepper.  You are going to think that it is WAY to much tomato juice but just go with it.  I let the tomato mixture simmer on low just to meld the flavors.

You can make this in one big 9x13 inch pan or two smaller pans.  Whatever pan you choose, make sure it is a deep pan.  Layer the ingredients like this:

Spaghetti

Green Olives

Ground Beef/Tomato Mixture

Sharp Shredded Cheese

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30-40 minutes.

Pico de Gallo & Guacamole

I have recently fallen in love with pico de gallo.  I love to make it during the summer when the tomatoes are fresh.  This recipe came from Pioneer Woman.  Thanks PW!

5 whole Plum (roma) Tomatoes
1/2 whole Large (or 1 Small) Onion

3 whole Jalapeno Peppers

Cilantro

Lime Juice

Salt To Taste

Chop jalapenos, tomatoes and onions into a very small dice. (Leave seeds in your jalapenos for a hotter pico). Adjust amount of jalapenos to your preferred temperature. Next, chop up a nice-sized bunch of cilantro. Just remove and discard the long leafless stems before chopping. No need to remove the leaves from the stems completely. Place all of these ingredients together in a bowl and give it a good stir.

Squeeze the juice of half of one lime into the bowl. Add salt to taste and stir again.

This is also perfect for making guacamole.  Take as many avocados as you would like, get the meat out and use a fork to mash up a bit.  Add a some of the pico with a little bit of lime juice and salt.  Yummy!  PERFECT guacamole!