TORTILLA FLATS - Mm-mmmm-onday!

Good, old-fashioned western fare for a warm Monday - thinking of family and friends still fighting the snow this week (it's a headin' back into Denver tonight).  This is a quick and easy, down and dirty, warm-you-up casserole - recipe courtesy of my Mother-in-law when we were first married.  It's my old "stand-by" when I'm in a bind and need something in a hurry (like last night, while talking to my friend, Jackie, who challenged me to put this to paper).  You can whip this up with about 30 minutes prep time, plus another 20 minutes in the oven - throw yourself together a salad while it's baking, and you've got a meal in about an hour, to satisfy the hungriest of appetites.

TORTILLA FLATS

 

Diced Onion (amount is up to you)

1 lb. Hamburger

Salt and Pepper, to taste

1) 16-oz. can Chili Beans in "Chili Sauce" (or "Chili Gravy")

1) 8-oz. can Tomato Sauce

8 oz. Water (use the empty tomato can to measure)

Ground Cumin - 1 Tbsp.

Shredded Longhorn Cheese (of your choice), approx. 1-1/2 to 2 cups

6 Flour Tortillas

 

Saute diced onion in sm. amount of oil, in heavy skillet.  Add hamburger and brown well, using fork or spatula to break up as you brown.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Drain grease from meat, and return to skillet.

 

Add tomato sauce, chili beans, water, and ground cumin.  Stir til' mixed well and heated through.

 

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray round casserole dish with cooking spray, and lay two tortillas in bottom.  Add half of your chili bean mixture, and cover this with half of your cheese.  Add two more tortillas.  Add the rest of your chili mixture; the remaining cheese; and finish with the last two tortillas.  Moisten the top tortilla with a bit of water, and cover with aluminum foil.  Bake for approx. 15 minutes, covered (you want the dish to be warm and bubbling throughout - you'll be able to see between the layers of tortillas).

 

Remove your tin foil, but sprinkle with a bit more water to keep your tortillas from crusting up too hard - about 5 minutes more, and you're done.  Remove from oven, and let set 5-15 minutes.  Cut and serve (you're gonna' need a big serving spoon to get it out).  Come and GET IT!  Stay warm, my snowbound friends - summer IS on its way.