We are 9 days in now.

Figured we would have jumped ship by now huh?  Thanks.  Thanks for believing in us.  We will remember that.

This meal is probably one of the easiest we make.  The funny thing is, we like it a lot – and its sooooo simple.  Really.  If you can open a few cans… brown some meat… press some buttons… you got this one.  Not only easy – quick & cheap too.  Quite the combo.

Your thinking… DUDE… spill the beans already, what is it?  Green chili casserole.  Here is the whole menu…

Green Chili Casserole

Corn Chips

Guacamole

2 Beers (total… not each)

Simple eh?  And good.  We will go ahead and give you the recipe for the green chili casserole while we are at it.

Green Chili Casserole

1lb Ground Beef

1 can of cream of mushroom

1 can of cream of chicken

corn tortillas

1 small can of diced green chilis

Instructions: Brown ground beef in a pan.  After ground beef is done, add all your cans (cream of mushroom, cream of chicken & diced green chilis).  Stir all ingredients until mixed up well.  Grab a 9×9 oven-safe casserole dish and grease it (pam, whatever).  Make a layer of the beef mixture on the bottom and cover it with corn tortillas (might take 4).  They can overlap… no problem.  Make another layer the beef mixture, then another layer of tortillas.  After that – one more layer on top of the beef (use the rest).  Your oven should be preheated to 350, and place your casserole in for 20 minutes.  Top with grated cheese and let bake for 5 more minutes – then pull from the oven.

 

Sweet huh?  And the left-overs are killer.  We cut up the remainder of the corn torts into triangles and fried them up for chips.  Oh yeah, guacamole too.  Made from scratch.  2 alvacados, some cilantro, some green onion… diced tomatoes, diced jalapeno & lime juice from half a lime.  Salt, pepper & garlic to your own taste.  We like cilantro so much – we always put a lil extra in.  Save the alvacado seeds and throw them in the bowl of guac – it will help keep it fresh.  Then tear that stuff up!

Figure we paid about 5-6 bucks total for this meal.  Not bad considering we could likely eat it 2 more times this week with the left-overs.  So if you break it down even into just 2 meals – thats 2-3 bucks per meal.  Cha-ching!

How is your personal quest for fast food independence?  We were talking tonight and said we should have called this Fast Food Rehab.  Hindsight right?  Oh well.  What did you eat last night?  Did you fall victim to the monster?  Hop back on the wagon, we have room.

Tags: A Boy And His Beer, Big Beers, Cooking, Eating At Home, Food, Make A Difference, Money, Personal, Pictures, Recipes by James
9 Comments »

This past weekend we made it to Michael’s Charcoal Grill here in Midland Texas.  Local folks likely have eaten there more times than they can count.  Honestly, I am not the biggest fan in the world of this establishment – however it does have some style about it.

The Aviation Atmosphere

The entire place is based on aviation, from the model planes hanging from the ceilings, to the pictures of fighter jets and pilots covering the walls.  That part is pretty cool, gives you some eye candy to enjoy while your waiting on your food.

A Long History in Midland 

Now when I first moved to Midland (10 years ago), I thought this place was the top of the top.  I love burgers.  Let me get that out of the way first.  This place had a few good ones and I enjoyed going there for that reason alone.  As the years have gone by, I have eaten some of the best burgers in town, state & out of state… so these burgers now pale in comparison to past burger experiences.

However, Shala ordered ribs and they were decent and I am going to start branching out as we end up there from time to time.  I just don’t want people to yell at me, because Michael’s is their favorite and I’m talking trash.  I’m not talking trash, I like the place – I just am not that into it as much anymore.  I’m hoping that trying a few new items will cure this problem, as I really do like the atmosphere and the people are always nice.  Also I like when they yell the order back to the griller…

“Rell EYE – sumtin’ sumtin’” – I dunno what they really say, sounds like that though.

The KING of Condiments

Now usually, if a burger is good enough, no need to add anything.  Set me up with my beer and burger/fries and I will be good to go.  Michael’s gives you options though.  You want pickles, spears, jalapenos, bbq sauce… hell just walk over to the mile long bar of condiments and start adding it up.  Just don’t go too far, you gotta get your mouth around it.  Definitely a good selection of additions for those that like to expand their palette.

Now… The Beer

My beer brain is forever tarnished with the massive mugs at Murray’s (that folks, is alliteration), so seeing anything smaller… even though that is normal – has made me shed a tear (in my beer) ever since.  The good thing about Michael’s is, they serve pitchers of beer.  Now this isn’t usually a big deal in some places – but it seems as if our city eating establishments have shied away from this frosty goodness and Michael’s is an exception.  So needless to say, we took two frosty mugs and a nice big pitcher to wet our throats while we waited for a grillin’.  A+ as far as beers go.  AMEN to the pitcher – I hope they never change that.

Tags: A Boy And His Beer, Big Beers, Food, Reviews by James
4 Comments »

Simple. 

Big Beers = Awesome Establishment

If you are ever in Midland, TX – be sure to stop in at Murray’s Deli.  Not only do they have great food (awesome burgers), they also have HUGE beers.  I like, I like.

Tags: Big Beers, Food, Reviews by James
8 Comments »