Hamburgers

Ok I know everyone can make a burger, but I like to think that these are a little better than a slab of beef on a stale bun.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground sirloin
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
handful shredded cheddar jack cheese (I actually like Sargento mexican)
4 slices provolone
4 large kaiser type rolls (I get them at the bakery)
mayo
mustard
pickle slices
Arugula 
jalapeno slices (optional)

Directions:
Mix meat, and spices in a bowl. Add shredded cheese, and mix well. Form into patties (usually makes 4 decent sized patties). Cook on hot griddle (medium high). Put a slice of cheese on each patty. Slice rolls, and warm in grease from burgers. Assemble burgers with remaining ingredients.

Enchiladas

One of my favorite dishes on the planet, and super simple.

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless chicken breast
2 packages taco powder
1 large jar salsa
10 flour tortillas
1 pound shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream


Directions:
Cut chicken into bite size pieces. Cook with taco seasoning.
Grease a large baking pan. fill tortillas with chicken and salsa, then roll, and place in pan. Pour remaining salsa over rolled tortillas, and top with cheese. Bake at 350 or until cheese is melted and slightly browned. Serve with sour cream.

Keeping food safe during an emergency

Living on the Gulf Coast I have dealt with power outages from hurricanes when it's hot, and growing up in Michigan, had power outages from storms when it's cold. First and foremost is if you are questioning if it's ok pitch it. Even a standing rib roast is cheaper than a hospital stay from food poisoning. I use restaurants as a guideline. Think about the table at most dinners, there is a bottle of ketchup, mustard, and maybe even some steak sauce, tells me it's probably of if they don't stay below 40 for a day or 2. After a week just start over. You can also use this site to help some too:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp

Mexican Pizza

This is a dish I make that is very filling, and really quick to make.
Ingredients:
8 large flour tortillas
1 pound ground beef
1 package taco powder
1 can refried beans
 salsa
1 teaspoon cumin
sour cream
shredded cheddar cheese
green onion diced
olive oil for cooking meat

Directions:
cook meat in large skillet with oil, taco powder and cumin. Warm beans in saucepan.
cover 4 tortillas with beans, place another tortilla on each, and add meat. Top with cheese, and bake at 350 until cheese is melted, and tortillas are slightly crunchy. Remove from oven, and top with green onion, salsa, and sour cream. Serve

Fajitas

These are my own version of fajitas. I don't care for green peppers so mine doesn't have them.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons fajita seasoning (I have found Badia brand to be the best, and better than any combination I could come up with from my spice cabinet)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon cumin 
1 pound chicken or beef (I love using chicken thighs, and have even used pork)
1 jar salsa (I use a roasted pepper one)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus more for topping
2 tablespoons sour cream plus more for topping
4-6 large tortillas
refried beans for topping (optional)

Directions:
Cut meat into bite size pieces.
Put meat in large skillet with olive oil, add fajita seasoning, and cumin, and cook until done. Add salsa and simmer until slightly thickened, add cheese and sour cream, and mix.
Heat tortillas on a hot griddle pan (I use a crepe pan)
fill with meat, cheese, sour cream, and beans, and enjoy

Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Made these tonight, and they were a hit.
Ingredients:
10-12 small potatoes (your favorite)
house seasoning (garlic powder, salt, and pepper in equal amounts)
3 cloves garlic sliced
Olive oil
Instructions:
cut potatoes into quarters and sprinkle generously with house seasoning. Coat with oil, and place on well greased cookie sheet. Roast at 425 turning once until browned about 30-45 minutes. Salt to taste

Shepherd's Pie

This is my ex-wife's version of shepherd's pie. She uses ground beef instead of lamb just because it's easier to get here.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
4 potatoes mashed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup peas
1 package worth (she uses packaged, I make my own both work fine) taco powder
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
Cook meat with taco powder, and drain. Mix in peas, and spread into backing dish. Top with potatoes, and cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese melts, and browns slightly (about 30-45 minutes) let sit for 5 minutes and serve.
Simple dish that lends itself to changes well, and inexpensive way to feed a group (this feeds about 4 we double it to feed 7)