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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

DOWN MEMORY LANE GRANDMA'S RECIPES--MITCHELL'S FAVORITE HAMBURGER HELPER

This is another recipe that I fed my children and they liked it so well that they fed it to their children.  If you are tired of turkey and tired from shopping after Thanksgiving this is a great recipe to have in your files. Our favorite version of this dish has a little Italian seasoning in it.  However, change the beans and change the spice and you have a Mexican version.

I am so old that I remember when Hamburger Helper was first introduced to the public.  I looked at the little boxes and knew that it would never feed my hungry family. The kids liked the name so we made up our own Hamburger Helper.  Even thought this is good and filling, when my boys were teenagers, I usually ended up tripling the recipe.


Simple, filling and good!  Enjoy!

MITCHELL'S FAVORITE HAMBURGER HELPER

1 lb. or more lean ground beef, the amount of meat is personal choice and depends on the budget
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Italian seasoning, taste  
1 (10oz) can tomato soup
1 (14oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 (16oz) box elbow macaroni, cooked

Cook macaroni accordiing to package directions.  In a frying pan, brown the meat and cook until no longer pink.  Drain.  Saute the onion and garlic.  In a large pan, mix all the ingredients together  Crush the Italian seasoning between your fingers to release the oils before adding to the mixture. Stir to mix.  Slowly heat to blend the flavor



Ingredients:  Lean hamburger, garlic, onion, kidney beans, elbow macaroni, tomato soup, and Italian seasoning.

Some good Italian seasonings.

Mexican Hamburger Helper:  Black or pinto beans, green chiles, and chili powder.





Drain beans and rinse with cold water.

Take the skin off the onion and chop.

Onions are ready.

Mince garlic.

Brown ground beef and cook until pink is gone.

Cook macaroni according to package directions.

Beef cooking.

Drain the beef.

Remove a cup of pasta water from pan before draining the macaroni.

Combine ground beef, macaroni, and beans.

Saute the onions and garlic.

Add the tomato soup, undiluted, and garlic/onion mixture to macaroni mixture.

Add some pasta water to the mixture and stir well.

Crush Italian seasoning and add to macaroni mixture.

Mix all together.  Add more pasta water if necessary.

Heat slowly to blend flavors.

Stir to keep blending and so the bottom doesn't burn.

Kid food that adults enjoy as much as the children.  Enjoy!!

Old Dog is learning new tricks again.  If you notice more mistakes than usual it is because I am using my Grand-Daughter's lap top and I have never worked on a lap top before this posting. 

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