Beef Cake with Vegetables/Leo’s Pastel de Carne con Verduras

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Start to Finish: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Meat

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 lb beef flank steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 large onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

6 large plum (Roma) tomatoes, seeded, chopped ( 3 1/4  cups)

1 large poblano chile, roasted, seeded, cut into stirps

1 jalapeno or campana (Scotch bonnet)  chile, finely chopped

1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, drained

1 jar (4.5 oz) Green Giant® sliced mushrooms, drained

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Topping

2 cups Original Bisquick® Mix

1 1/2 cups water

2 whole eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt, if desired

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, if desired

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground  black pepper, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add steak; cook until brown on all sides. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, poblano chile, jalapeno chile, green chiles, mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 3 minutes, stirring occasionally .

3. Place ingredients in ungreased 13x 9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish.

4. In medium bowl, mix all topping ingredients until blended. Pour over meat mixture in baking dish.

5. Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

*Leo Valenzuela’s winning recipe was his own version of traditional beef  pot pie.  He is the winner of Bisquick’s recipe contest, “La Receta de Mi Cocina.”  I was not paid for this post. Picture provided my Bisquick

This past weekend was like any other weekend. My husband had school and I spent my weekend shopping and having lunch with my mami, two sisters and my kids. My mamá is just your typical mama/abuelita. She is 62 years old. She came to the United States from Mexico 37 years ago. She learned some English , but truth be told she never got around to going to school and studying.  My mother was too involved raising children and being a good mother and wife that she didn’t find time to do much else or take care of anyone else but her children and husband.  She is a great and caring mami, but like all mamis, she likes doing things “a su manera” or her way.

Well anyway…  back to the story. It was your typical afternoon. Nordy’s was having their semi annual sale and I had to return some things so off we went. I had to run to the restroom and I left my two kiddos with my mom and sisters. My sisters then decided to use the restroom and took my fiver year old daughter with them and my son stayed with my mamá. This is when the most ridiculous thing in the world happened to my familia. So ridiculous in fact, I still can’t believe it happened.

My son is almost 4 and he is what I like to call a “spirited child”.   He is active, stubborn and well… just a handful sometimes.  He was with my mamá at the hobby store in the mall. He saw a model plane and starts to cry for it. Of course,  my mom says no.  He starts to throw a tantrum. My mom tries to pick him up and thinks he could have had an accident.  After all he is only three and has only mastered the skill a few months ago.  He won’t listen. So she touches him around his groin to see if he is wet. You see she is a diabetic and her vision is a little blurry. My son is still acting like a maniaticoand she starts looking around to see if she saw us coming. My son is still kicking and screaming and in the middle of his meltdown. This is when a “concerned woman” steps in and accuses my mamita of being a sick pedophile for touching my son’s private area. Yes gente.. mi mamá is being accused by this ridiculous vieja/stranger of being a pedophile, child abuser and she is screaming it across the mall. My sisters soon get to the scene and well… all hell breaks loose.  The woman was clearly insane and my mother because of her limited English could not explain herself. This woman actually held my son and refused to hand him over. Needless to say I get  there, the woman and I get into a heated exchange. I will say this, it took all of my will power to restrain me from throwing a drink on this woman’s face. She was acting straight out of the asylum.  The police were called and I really wanted them to take this woman in a straight jacket to the maniconio.

Instead what I get is a lecture from the police officer and threats because it is irresponsible for me to leave my child with my mother who does not speak English. Yes, you heard that right.  No arrest on this insane woman who basically accused my mami of being a sexual predator. Oh no!  I got a reprimand from the Police Officer  for having a mother that speaks limited English. I threatened to ask to speak to his commanding officer and he threatened back saying he could easily call CPS and have an investigation conducted because my child is left with someone with limited English.  Yes, gente you heard right.  I guess it’s against the law or something.

The irony.. as Mexicanos like to say this officer had the “nopal” in la frente. He is a Latino. You know the type. Embarrassed of their own people and wanting nothing to do with them, or being associated with anything that has to do with the Latino culture.

I’m mad. I want to do something about it,  but I’m afraid. I’m afraid that if I speak up, CPS will show at my doorstop for who knows what. It’s downright tragic that ME, an Americanhas fear to report an officer of the law for fear of repercussions… it is downright scary!  What happened to my familia this weekend is outrageous. It also seems that speaking Spanish is something to look down upon and according to officer Briones,  illegal.  It’s a sad state, but a true story. I’m still thinking of reporting him. Just when I get the courage to do so, the fear comes back.

Aracely,                                                                                                                                                                                                        Daytripping Mom

Ready… Habla/Speak!

Enjoy.

Laugh.

Cry with me.

Whatever……

Salad Bar Project

Whole Foods Market is currently participating in the The Salad Bar Project.  They will use customer donations to fund a total of 300 salad bars for public schools in the communities they serve. Through September 29^th, customers can make a donation at their local store or online via saladbarproject.org.  As an added benefit, Whole Foods Market will donate $1 to the Salad Bar Project for every e-newsletter that is forwarded to a friend.

Go sign up now!  Sheesh, wish we had these kinds of projects when we were in school!

Now I know we alllllll have this problem: What to feed the hungry savages when they get home from school!!!! Oh no?  Is it just me?  Am I the only one with “Hungry Savages” as kids? (:

Whole Foods offer these tasty treats for Back to School:

Lunch
To keep your children fueled during the day, here’s a terrific nutrient-dense lunch that is kid-approved and won’t break the bank: a whole wheat tortilla wrap with almond or peanut butter, sliced strawberries and fruit-sweetened jelly; carrot sticks and sugar snap peas; Lemon Treats and a bottle of water. Here is a recipe for our delicious Lemon Treats.

Dinner
As your family’s schedules become filled with after school activities, getting a quick, healthy meal on the table can be a challenge. Whole Foods Market Organic Rotisserie Chickens are a great starting ingredient for many of your family’s meals and are now available for a low price of $9.99. Here’s a recipe for Quick Chicken Tostadas to make for dinner tonight.

And now… ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!!!

I have a $10.00 giftcard to giveaway.  Here is what you have to do to win:

• Subscribe to my blog via email.  See that green envelope button on the top right corner?  Click on that and complete the process.
• Leave a comment letting me know you subscribed along with your email for verification.

That’s it!

Already a subscriber?  No problem…

• If you are already a subscriber, you automatically receive 2 entries. BUT, you have to leave a comment letting me know you are ALREADY a subscriber, along with your email for verification.

Easy-peasy…. GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will run through September 16 and end at 12 noon.  Winner will me selected by random.org and notified through email and on this blog. Winner will have until September 18 to claim the prize.  If no response is recieved, another winner will be selected.

*Disclaimer* I was given a $10.00 gift card to use at Whole Foods,  and another to giveaway.

Wow, imagine… 25 years!  I still remember the first time they introduced the Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity commercial!  (feeling kinda old now!)

The title has me feeling kind of silly and the IHOP website has a way for you and the whole world to join in on the fun over at over at www.ihop.com where you can “Mask your Mug”   See… (You will need a FB account)

Oh, what I do for my blog! (:

ha ha!

Here is the best part!  Well, besides the yummy pancakes….

Yay, another giveaway! (hey, that rhymes!) lol

I was sent this pretty cool “vintage style” tee, and guess what?!?  I was give another 2, to giveaway!  I have 1 large and 1 x-large.  They do run kind of small, so I think even if you are a Medium, you can participate too!

Pretty!

So, how do you win one?  E A S Y!  All you have to do is…

1. Subscribe through email.
2. Leave a comment telling me your preferred size (along with your email for verification).

That’s it! (:

Already subscribed?  All you have to do is leave a comment with the following info:

1. Let me know you are already a subscriber, the size you want, and your email for verification.  You will automatically receive 2 entries!

Wow, if that’s not rooty tooty, I don’t know what is?  Oh wait… LOOK!

***Want another 2 entries? “Mask your Mug” and upload your picture to my Facebook page!

Giveaway will run through Sept.2  and end at 12 noon. 2 winners will be randomly chosen, and announced the same here on the blog and through email.  If no response is received by the 3rd of Sept., another winner will be picked.

Good Luck!

*Disclaimer* I received a complementary shirt, and was given another 2 to give away.  This is not a paid post.