TORTILLA CHIP CASSEROLE

3/4 cup chopped onion
2 tbsp. butter
1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chilies
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. red pepper
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) tortilla chips, crushed
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup dairy sour cream
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup cheddar cheese

Saute onion in butter. Add sauce, chilies, cumin, salt, red pepper. Simmer 10 minutes. Layer in buttered 9 inch square pan, half of each of the following: Tortilla chips, Monterey Jack cheese, beef and sauce. Repeat once.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven, about 25 minutes. Spread sour cream on top and cheddar cheese. Return to oven 10 minutes.

Makes 6 - 8 servings.

MEXICAN MEATBALLS

(Albondigas)

1 beaten egg
3/4 cup soft bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground pork
24 pimento stuffed olives
1 - 16 oz. can tomatoes, cut up
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tsp. instant beef bouillon
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
bottled hot pepper sauce

In a bowl, combine egg, bread crumbs, milk, salt, pepper and oregano; mix well. Add beef and pork; combine thoroughly. Shape meat mixture into 24 meatballs around the 24 olives. Set aside.

In 10 inch skillet, combine undrained tomatoes, 1/2 cup water, onion, bouillon granules, garlic, 1/4 tsp. oregano, and bottled hot pepper sauce. Bring to boil; simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.

Drop meatballs into sauce, cover and simmer about 30 minutes or UNtil meatballs are done. Remove meatballs from sauce, cover and keep warm. Skim excess fat from sauce. Boil sauce about 10 minutes to reduce mixture to 1-1/2 cups. Serve over meatballs.

Makes 6 servings.

MEXICAN HOT DISH

1 lb. pork sausage
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup uncooked macaroni
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1 - 1 lb. can tomatoes
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
grated cheese

Lightly brown the meat. Drain off fat. Add onions and green pepper. Cook until tender. Stir in next six ingredients. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Check macaroni to make sure it is cooked throughout. Stir in sour cream - heat throughout. Pass grated cheddar with this hot dish.

Makes 4 - 6 servings.