Co-Hosting with Mom's Test Kitchen Link Party

Pin It Now! Hi everyone!  This week I am proud to be a co-host at Mom's Test Kitchen for her link party.  Please feel free to head on over, link up your recipes, and show her lots of blogger luvin'!

AAAHHHHH!!!  It's October!!!  Only 3 months until Christmas!!!  Can someone please tell me where 2012 has gone??

Before I get too off track rambling about my life passing by, lets get to this week's party!!  Thank you all so much for coming back each week to link up your recipes!!  I love seeing what you've been making!  And I want to say Welcome to the new faces we're getting!  I love meeting new people & I'm so happy you've decided to come party with me!!

So now let me introduce you to this week's co-host ~ Lindsay from Mommy's Sweet Confessions!  This lady is a dessert lovers best friend!!  If you ever need a good laugh, you have to go check out her Toddler Tales!!  Every mom will appreciate the humor found there!!

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Hi everyone!  First off, thank you so much to Jaime for reaching out and inviting me to be a co-host for one of her fabulous link parties, truly an honor! 

My name is Lindsay, and I am the blogger behind Mommy's Sweet Confessions.  I love to bake and cook, I am a chocoholic, and I love sweets.  I try to bake whenever my energetic three year old son and my one year old darling son decide that they are going to let me.  Believe me, they like to make it a challenge! 

This recipe for Taco Chili Mac Skillet is my absolute favorite go-to one pan meal.  It is flavorful, hearty, easy to make, satisfying, and it only takes one pan. What could be better?
This can probably be made with staples that you have in your cupboard and freezer.  You can even substitute ingredients that you do have, if you don't have some of these.  Kidney beans are great, white beans are great, any shaped pasta will work perfect.  Have no fear, substitute as needed!  This is a meal that works for you, not a meal you work for. The spices can be adjusted to your families liking, the way it is written is a bit on the spicy side.  Not drink three gallons of milk to put the fire out spicy, but wake up your taste buds spicy.  It is an incredibly adaptable recipe so play around and find what works for you.

Taco Chili Mac Skillet Recipe 

(Adapted from The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook recipe for Chili-Pasta Skillet)


Makes approximately 8, 8 oz. servings


Ingredients:

• 1 to 1-1/2 lbs ground turkey (or ground chicken or ground beef)
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 8 oz uncooked orzo pasta
• 1/2 cup enchilada sauce (I used Trader Joe's enchilada sauce in the bottle)
• 2 Tbs. dried minced onions or 1/2 cup chopped fresh onion (I used dried)
• 1 Tbs. taco seasoning
• 1 Tbs. chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. chipotle chili powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)
• 1-1/2 to 2 cups water

Garnish:

• shredded cheese
• cilantro
• sour cream
• tortilla chips

Directions:

1.  In a large skillet brown and thoroughly cook the ground turkey.  
2. Once it is cooked, add the beans, green chilis, diced tomatoes (do not drain), orzo, enchilada sauce, dried onions, chili powder, chipotle powder, taco seasoning, garlic salt and the water.
3. Stir well, cover, and bring to a simmer.
4. Simmer on medium-low until the orzo is cooked through and the water has been absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 20-30 minutes.
5. More water may need to be added as it cooks, so if it is looking dry, or the pasta is not cooked but the water is absorbed, just add more, it will simmer away and do no harm.
6. Add salt to taste.
7. Top with any garnishes desired.

Just wanted to say thank you again to Jaime for allowing me to be a part of the wonderful blog she has going on right here.  Hope you all enjoy the recipe!

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Thank you so much Lindsay for sharing such a great dinner recipe with us!!  Now y'all be sure to head over to her page to pick out a great dessert to finish up this meal!!  I'm thinking these Chewy Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies would be a great choice!

Just the

reminders:

• Myself & Lindsay would love to have you as new friends!! Please take a
  minute to follow us both via GFC, Twitter, FB, or any other social media you
  prefer
  
• Please feel free to grab the button in the sidebar or add a direct link back
  to this week's party
  
• And finally, go make some new friends ~ spend a few minutes checking out
  some other recipes that you might want to try out yourself & comment!
  Everyone loves comments!!
  
• Please note that by linking up you are giving permission to use the
  photos along with a link back to your post in the Mom's Test Meal Mondays
  Features post & on Mom's Test Kitchen's Social Media Networks

And remember, if anyone is interested in being a co-host for Mom's
Test Meal Mondays, please email me at momstestkitchen (at) yahoo (dot) com! I'd
love to have you!