Fail Proof Recipes for Scaredy Cooks Like Me!

So you all know how I have been hating cooking lately. I have been trying really hard to get over my fear and just go for it. I still cook something at least once a day, and I am getting a pretty good collection of recipes that I can actually make and not screw up. Thanks ALLRECIPES.COM. That web site is the best ever. If you haven't experienced it yet you MUST. You can sign up for free and you can ADD recipes to your own collection and refer to them whenever you want. I LOVE IT WITH ALL MY SOUL.
Anyway, I recently made few recipes of my own (well kinda my own. My own versions of someone else really good recipe) and they have been a big hit around my house. When I say "around my house" I mean Bryce. Because, I have no one else "around my house" so he pretty much sums it up!

Mexican Lasagna (Natali Style)

10 small CORN tortillas (flour tortillas will get too soggy)
2 lbs. ground beef or ground turkey (I use turkey)
3 cloves chopped garlic
1/2 small yellow onion chopped (you can use the whole onion, I dont like onion that much)
1 pckg. taco seasoning
1 can red enchilada sauce
1 small can chopped black olives
1 can FAT FREE refried beans
1 8 oz. tub sour cream
1 can sweet corn (or 2 cups frozen or fresh sweet corn)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or any variety you like)

*Chop onion and garlic. Brown in large saucepan with a little olive oil. Add groud meat and cook til brown. Add taco seasoning.
*Grease bottom and sides of 9x13 baking pan. Cut corn tortillas in half. Cover the bottom of the pan with tortillas. You will want to over lap them a little so they cover the entire bottom of the pan.
*Evenly spread the browned meat mixture onto corn tortillas
*Layer refried beans (entire can) over top of browned meat. (I find that a rubber spatula works well for this)
*Drain corn and layer over beans.
*Spread entire tub of sour ceam over the top of the layers. Layer on black olives. Sprinkle half the cheese over sour cream.
*Add another layer of corn tortillas over sour cream. Cover with enchilada sauce (I don't use the whole can. I save about half to set on the table for those who want extra over their lasagna).
*Top with remaining cheese.
*Bake @ 350 for 35-40 minutes until lasagna is bubbly and cheese is a little melted and a little brown.
*serve with rice and a vegetable. YUMMY DINNER! Let me know what you think.

CopyCat Lion House Chicken Salad

4 chicken breasts
5 stalks celery finely chopped
1 yellow onion VERY finely chopped
2 tsp. WHITE pepper
2 tsp. KOSHER salt
1-2 cups MAYONAISE (enough to moisten the salad to your liking)

*Microwave chicken 8-10 minutes until no pink is left. (This is the best way to cook it for the salad. You can boil it if you would like, that works just as well but it takes longer)
*Chop chicken. Allow to cool for a few minutes. THEN THE FUN PART. GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY LADIES. Using your hands, work the chicken into a tuna like consistency. Just by "kneading" the chopped chicken it will break apart nicely.
*Add celery, onion, white pepper, and salt. Work with hands again until all ingredients are incorporated.
*Add Mayo (Miracle Whip is fine, but the Lion House uses Mayo and it is the yummiest) and mix until desired moistness is acheived. (I like mine pretty wet and full of mayo, some like it more dry. You choose)
*Serve with leaves of RED cabbage, homemade rolls, and a pickel spear. Just the way the Lion House does it.

*NOTE: I worked in a Lion House Pantry for a few years and made this salad EVERY DAY. They might murder me when they find out I am sharing it with you all. But it is to yummy to keep to myself. It seems like very few ingredients, but it is delicious. I have played with it and added nuts and grapes and other deliciousness. But, I always like the simple recipe the best. The white pepper and kosher salt are a must. They really make the salad what it is. TRY IT OUT!