Pasta Bake

Since we have a ton of holiday parties this week and then we are going out of town I have no groceries in the house. After raiding my pantry here is what I came up with to throw together...
*1 lb lean ground beef
*jar of pasta sauce (we always have the large ones of Prego traditional from Costco)
*bag of macaroni noodles
*3 string cheese
*seasonings

So I browned the meat with seasonings and cooked till well done. I added about 2 cups of pasta sauce. Simmer while boiling noodles. When noodles are done, strain and stir into same pan as your meat sauce. Transfer the pasta, sauce and meat into a baking dish. Separate the string cheese into thin strings and place all over top of baking dish. Put in oven and bake at 250 until cheese is melted (about 7-10 minutes)


This was the simple version. On days I have groceries I make what I call Mostacholi bake and I add the following:

*Instead of macaroni noodles I use Penne or mostacholi noodles.
*I usually sub the ground beef for lean ground turkey
*When pouring the pasta sauce onto the meat, I usually also add a can of diced tomatoes to the mixture.
*I like to add one beated egg and 6-8 oz of small curd low fat cottage cheese to the noodles, sauce and meat before baking. (If doing this change bake time and temp... 350 for 20-25 mintues)
*I also like to stir in fresh parm cheese before baking as well as some on top.
*You can add any of the following (but I don't): pepperoni, mushrooms, sauted onions... any toppings really.

This is a super easy dish that kids (and picky husbands) really enjoy too. Serve with a side salad and bread. Makes great leftovers as well!!

Crock Pot Turkey and Gravy

This is the easiest thing in the world and can be made into two different dinners. The first night I make it I usually also make mash potatoes and steamed broccoli or sauteed green beans. The second night I serve the left overs on rolls with havarti cheese and serve a side salad with it! Also good for parties as sandwiches...

*3lb Butterball Boneless Turkey (this comes with a package of gravy.. i toss that)
*2-3 glass jars of turkey gravy (I use 3 jars of Heinz Home Style Turkey Gravy because i like extra gravy for my mash potatoes and to make the sandwiches extra sloppy.)

Take Turkey out of netting and place in crock pot. Pour your gravy on top. Cook on medium for 5-6 hours. Turkey will fall apart!

When Serving on a bun. Place the shredded or sliced turkey on bottom bun. Place cheese on top of meat if you would like cheese. Dip inside of top bun into the gravy and soak it. Place on top. Sloppy but that's the best way!

**I typically buy 80% of my meat organic/natural... this is one time I don't. Haven't found a good brand that makes a boneless turkey.

Enjoy!

The turkey and Gravy. Add Buns and Cheese for an amazing sandwich!

Raw turkey and gravy at beginning of cooking

After cooking for 6 1/2 hour on medium/low

Sloppy Turkey Goodness...

Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this meal. It's quick. It's easy. It's yummy. And it's all about what you top it with! You can be as simple as just topping with your favorite cheese or top with one of my favorites: Cole Slaw, hot giardiniera (if you have an italian deli around you that makes a good one), or texas caviar (can be bought from Costco).

The main ingredients:

*1 sweet onion Cut in wedges
*2 minced garlic cloves
*3 chicken breasts (can be frozen)
*1 can Dr Pepper (can also use Coke if you don't have Dr Pepper on hand, Dr Pepper is sweeter though)

Place all in crock pot for 6 hours. Take chicken and onion out and shred chicken with two forks. Mix with your favorite BBQ sauce. (I like Sweet Baby Rays original best)

Serve on buns either plain, topped with cheese, or any topping you choose! Above is a picture of it served on hawaiian rolls and toped with HOT Giardiniera. The mixture of the sweet rolls and BBQ sauce and combined with the spice is amazing! I get my Giardiniera from Tenuta's deli. Here is there link if you wanted to order your own... http://www.tenutasdeli.com/tek9.asp  I also love their italian seasonings.


You do NOT need an expensive CrockPot in order to make great food in one! I have one that my mom gave me when I first moved out... it's about 20 years old. We got a new, pretty, stainless steal one for our wedding 3 years ago that was super expensive. Guess which one I think cooks better and I use all the time... Yup, the old one! I definitely recommend one that is oval (oblong) instead of a round one. It's easier for when doing large cuts of meat (Pot Roast, Ribs...). This one is a great price. Simple. And has good reviews!

TURKEY TACO TUESDAY...

Turkey Taco's is a great go to meal. We have it often at our house. Super easy and it can be as simple or as gourmet as you wish it to be. Start with the basics:

1.5-2 lbs lean ground turkey
1-2 packets of taco seasoning.
Tortillas

Make the meat just as you would with ground beef. Browning till done first and then follow directions on back of the taco seasoning packet.

We use the following toppings at our house. I would suggest definitely using the ones I've stared... I really think they make it!!

*Shredded Cheese
*Shredded Lettuce
*Red Roaster Hot sauce
*Cilantro
lime slices
chopped onion (red, white or sweet... any are fine)
Sour Cream
Avocado or guac
Diced tomatoes or pico

So Good, So easy, Somewhat Healthy. Kids and picky husbands love it too:) Don't forget to serve with a nice cold Corona:)

Chicken and veggies...

Today was a boring night. I had a few potatoes (russet and yams) left over from making my son's baby food, and chicken in the freezer. I just grabed some Kale and spinach and here is what I made...

I started by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into wedges. I used two different pans to boil the different potatoes. Boil till fork tender.

In an oven proof skillet, I warmed up 1/4 c of canola oil on the stove top till it was poppin hot. Place the two organic chicken breasts in the pan. (You can also do this with half a chicken, put skin down). Season with salt and pepper. Place in a 500 degree oven for 12-15 mins.

On cookie sheet place the drained yams. Mix with canola oil, dried italian seasonings, dried rosemary, salt and pepper. Roast in oven with the chicken for 10 of the minutes.

Drain the other potatoes and mash with butter, milk, salt and pepper for mashed potatoes.

Wash Kale and Spinach and place in saute pan with canola oil and salt and pepper. Cook on medium till it wilts.

To serve, place mash potatoes on plate. Put the chicken breast on top. Place yams and kale on side.

Easy, good. Sorry no pictures of this. Just a quick dinner idea:)

Mario Batali's Dutch Oven Osso Buco

Ok, so this one is not going to be one of my typical recipe's that I'll post because A) it was time consuming and semi difficult B) it was a more expensive gourmet dish to make... not your every day wed night dinner C) you need a Cast Iron Dutch oven to make it and D) It made a MESS out of my kitchen!! Ok, maybe that was the cook, but still.

This was too yummy to not post though so here goes....

What you will need:
Dutch oven (6q, I have Mario Batali's)
*Four 3 inch thick veal shanks (about 3.5-4lbs) (I used beef shanks for my picky husband)
*Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
*6T extra-virgin olive oil
*1 medium carrot, chopped into 1/4 inch coins
*1 small spanish onion, chopped into 1/2 inch dice
*1 rib celery, chopped into 1/4 inch dice
*2 T chopped fresh thyme
*2 cups BASIC TOMATO SAUCE (you can use your favorite store bought... or for the more adventurous like myself... see recipe below)
*2 cups chicken stock
*2 cups dry white wine

Gremolata
*1 bunch finely chopped italian parsley
*1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
*Grated zest of 1 lemon

optional
*Angel hair pasta

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Season osso bucco all over with salt and pepper. In dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until smoking. Place osso bucco in pot and brown all over, rolling to get all edges, about 12-15 mins. Remove shanks and set aside.
3. Add carrots, onion, celery, and thyme leave and cook, stirring often until golden brown and slightly softened, about 8-10 mins. Add tomato sauce, stock and wine and bring to boil. Place osso bucco back into pot, making sure they are submerged at least halfway.
4. Tightly cover pot, place in oven and cook for 2 1/2 hours and meat is falling off bone.
5. Meanwhile, make gremolata: In small bowl, mix chopped parsley, toasted pine nuts and lemon zest.
6. Remove osso bucco and let stand 10 mins. Springle the gremolata over top before serving.
**I served this over angel hair pasta.

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE (makes 4 cups)

*1/4 cup EVOO
*1 Spanish onion, finely diced
*4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
*3T chopped fresh thyme or 1 T dried thyme
*1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded
*Two 28 oz cans peeled whole tomatoes
*kosher salt to taste

In 3 qt saucepan, heat EVOO over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook till soft and light golden brown, 8-10 mins. Add thyme and carrot and cook for 5 mins more, or until carrot is fork tender. With hands, crush tomatoes and add them with their juices. Bring to boil. Stirring often, and then lower heat and simmer for 30 mins or until sauce is as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt.


Like I said, futsy, but oh so worth it:)

If you are looking to buy a dutch oven, I LOVE mine. This is a great one and I highly recommend it. The clean up is a breeze! 

Pork Chop, Stuffing, Apple Bake

This is a good SIMPLE casserole that takes 5 min prep time and 45 mins to bake. It can also be a last minute dinner for my family since I typically keep pork chops in the freezer and can apple pie filling and stuffing in cabinet.

What you will need:
*4 thinly sliced boneless pork chops (you can use bone in ones, i prefer not to.) Usually about 1- 1.5lbs of meat.
*1 lg can apple pie filling
*1 box savory stove top stuffing mix (or whatever stuffing you like)
*4T butter (or spread)
*1.5 C hot water

In medium bowl, mix stuffing mix, melted butter and hot water together. Put in bottom of rectangle casserole baking dish. On fry pan, lightly brown pork chops (I use pam and light seasonings.. ginger, anise,  marjoram, rosemary....) Place on top of stuffing in single layer. Pour can of apples over top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 for 45 mins (time varies based on thickness of pork chops)
Serve with your favorite bread!!

mix stuffing with melted butter and water

I brown my chops with oil and seasoning seasoning (typically a little of each: anise, rosemary, ginger and marjoram)

place browned pork chops on top of stuffing in a baking dish

Top with Apple Pie filling. Cover with tinfoil and bake

Sounds so weird but my picky husband and 3 year old love it! The best part is the aroma that fills your house. Great on a cool night. Reminds me of thanksgiving:)

Why this blog?

I often find myself stressing over what to make for my family for dinner. We live a busy life and some meals need time to prep, cook and let's not forget shopping for everything you need. I love cookbooks and websites, but there are so many recipe's at times it is overwhelming. The recipe's I will be posting are things I actually made. I will tell you if they are easy or more time consuming. I will also tell you if they are good. Most of these are recipe's I have made for years and continue to make because they are easy or quick and my family loves them and i know yours will too! I will also try to at least once a week try a new recipe I've found on line or in a book and honestly rate it. I always encourage others to send me their favorite recipe's as well! I am a mom... not a chef. But I am a mom who enjoys cooking for her family and making a somewhat healthy meal (some days more healthy than others:) )