Beef Enchiladas

This is my son's favorite dish. I must admit that every once in a while, I do cheat and buy Ole El Paso brand frozen burritos to make this dish. I know... Enchiladas are corn tortillas, but Elliott doesn't like the corn. I use flour... So, if you want to get technical, these are burritos cooked in enchilada sauce and cheese. Either way, they make my son happy and that's what I'm after!

1 pkg. 8-inch tortillas
1 1/2 lb. hamburger
1 med onion, chopped
1 -16 oz can refried beans
1 - 4 oz can chopped mild green chiles
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tsp cornstarch
1 -10 oz can mild enchilada sauce

Arrange tortillas on a plate; cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds at the time until soft and hot.  Cook ground beef and onion, drain.  Add refried beans, green chiles with liquid, and 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.  Heat until blended, remove from heat.  Spoon about 1/3 cup meat mixture in lengthwise strip on center of each tortilla; roll up jelly roll fashion, place seam side down in large baking pan.  Stir milk and cornstarch until smooth, cook, stirring, until mixture boils and thickens slightly.  Add enchilada sauce and remaining 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese.  Cook, stirring until smooth.  Pour over tortillas, sprinkle cheddar cheese over top and bake at 350 degrees approximately 25 to 30 minutes.  Serve as is or can be garnished with tomato slices, shredded lettuce, black olives and sour cream.

Elliott's Favorite Bean Dip

A while back, all the kids came over, and I was looking for something for them to munch on late in the afternoon. I didn't have much in the pantry. I spied a can of refried beans, and I figured I could scrap together some kind of bean dip and chips... Well, they loved it, and since then my son Elliott has been begging me to make it again. Only problem is, I didn't write it down and can't remember what I put in it. So, yesterday I fiddled around with it and finally made the dip that he requested (while jumping up and down in my kitchen, yelling, "Please! Please! Please! Make that dip I like!!!") LOL
Here's what I came up with...

1 can refried beans (or Bush's Chili Beans, drained and mashed)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 sour cream
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
2 T Taco sauce
8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded

1 bag Tortilla chips, Corn Chips or crackers

In a large bowl, mix beans, cream cheese, sour cream, seasoning and taco sauce until well blended, then stir in cheese. Pour into a casserole dish that has been lightly sprayed with cooking pray. Bake at 350 until bubbly and cheese is melted. Or spoon into individual serving bowls and microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time until warm and bubbly. Garnish with tomatoes, avocado, green onions and black olives if you like... Serve immediately.