Crockpot Enchiladas (although I have never made them in the crockpot)

1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 can pinto or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar and jack)
flour tortillas

In a skillet, cook beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is tender; drain. Add the next eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Now there is some debate as to assembly...

There is the slow cooker way:

In a 5-qt. slow cooker, layer about 3/4 cup beef mixture, one tortilla and about 1/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or until heated through.

My in-laws way:

On a microwave safe plate, layer 3/4 C beef mixture, one tortilla and 1/2 C cheese. Repeat layers. Heat in the microwave for about 5 minutes until the cheese melts. Cut into wedges and serve.

My preferred method:

Layer ingredients in a round casserole dish (beef, tortilla, cheese, repeat). bake in a 350 degree oven 20 minutes or until heated through.

BTW, Yesterday at Sam's Club I got a case (8 cans) of diced tomatoes with green chilis for $2. Nice.

Chicken Linguine

½ cup butter

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic-pressed

1 Tablespoon dry basil

¾ tsp crushed dried red hot chili flakes

8 chicken pieces (Thighs and breasts-boneless/skinless)

2 pkgs (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach

8-oz linguine

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 orange, quartered

Melt butter in 9x13, or larger pan in 400* oven. Mix onion, garlic, basil and chilies with butter. Lay chicken on top, turn once to coat with butter. Bake uncovered about 45 minutes. In same oven, thaw spinach in a covered pan for about 30 minutes. Drain in colander, squeezing out liquid. Cook linguine; drain.

When chicken is done, lift from pan and keep warm. Add spinach to pan and stir to scrape up brown bits. Add pasta and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.

On large plate or platter, mound portion on linguine, flank with chicken and squeeze orange all over.