Sunday, November 13, 2011

Runza Casserole! ♥


Serves 6.
  • 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cups cabbage, chopped
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 2 pkg. crescent rolls

1. Start browning your hamburger and sauteing your onion in the same pot. Don't cook all the way through! Also, preheat your oven to 350 degrees!

2. Drain the mixture and return to the pot.

3. Add the cabbage and "melt" down while cooking the hamburger the rest of the way through. After everything is cooked down, drain if there is still too much liquid or grease. Return to the pot if you did this step. Add salt and pepper to taste!

4. Add the cream of mushroom soup and the cheese. Then pour into a 9 x 13-inch pan.

5. Roll out the 2 pkgs. of crescent rolls and place them on top of the casserole. Put in the oven and bake for 30 minutes!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Cheeseburger Soup! ♥


Serves 5-6!
Don't take the name of this soup too literally. It has hamburger meat & it has cheese. Those are about the only similarities that make it close to a cheeseburger. It doesn't taste like a cheeseburger either, but this is one of my favorites! Especially with thin slices of french bread!

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, shredded
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 TBPS. dried parsley
  • 4 TBSP. margarine
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups hash brown potatoes
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 8 ounces Velveeta, CUBED
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
1. In a pot, start browning your ground hamburger. Add a little bit of salt and pepper for flavor.

2. While you're browning your hamburger, slice your celery, onion, and carrots.

3. By now your hamburger should be done, so drain it and set it aside.

4. Melt 1 TBPS. of the butter in the same pan you used to brown your hamburger. Add the celery, onion, carrots, parsley and basil to the pan. Saute until the veggies are tender, about 5-7 minutes.

5. Add the broth, hashbrowns, and cooked hamburger to the veggies. Reduce the heat and simmer, about 5-10 minutes so the potatoes can get tender.

6.While thats simmering, melt the remaining butter in a small sauce pan. Whisk the flour into butter. You should have a smooth mixture, so stir and cook until bubbly, about 3-5 minutes.

7. Add the butter/flour mixture to the soup, and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.

8. Add the cheese, milk and salt and pepper to the pot. Cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Remove from the heat. Add the sour cream. Remember to cube your cheese before you add to the pot, or it will take forever to melt!

Stir well, serve immediately and ENJOY!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Jalapeno Poppers. ♥

Makes about 16-20 appetizers.
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 pound fresh jalapenos, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

  • You will definitely want to put gloves on for this recipe! If the inside of the jalapeno gets on you, it will burn. Also, it burns real bad when you get pepper juice in your eye. ;)


    1. Start by frying the bacon. I pre-cut mine because I feel like it cooks a lot faster! You can cook yours whole and then crumble it, doesn't matter.

    2. While the bacon is frying, cut down the middle of the jalapeno, length-wise. I cut off the top, you don't have to. Then you want to scrape out the insides with a spoon. Watch your eyes, you don't want to get the pepper juice in them!

    3. This step is optional depending on how hot you want your poppers. But I boiled them because our 5 year old probably couldn't handle the full heat. So we boiled them for 5-7 minutes. The longer you boil, the more heat you take out.

    4. Start pre-heating your oven to 325 degrees. After the bacon is fried, take it out and place it on paper towels to soak up the grease.

    5. Mix together the cream cheese, cheese, garlic powder, chili powder, and bacon.

    6. Grease a 15 inchx 10 inch baking sheet with cooking spray and place mixture into the jalapenos. Its okay to overfill if you have extra mixture. Just make sure you have enough for all the jalapenos! I found that I could hand mold the mixture to fit inside the jalapeno!

    7. Toss them in the oven for 25 minutes.

    Nolan prefers HIS served with ranch, of course =)

    Wednesday, July 13, 2011

    Citrus Shrimp ♥


    Serves 4.

    • 1 lb. large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (leave tail on unless you prefer otherwise)
    • 1 cup orange juice
    • 2 TBSP. lime juice
    • 4 tsp. olive oil
    • 4 tsp. Dijon mustard
    • 1 tsp. finely grated lime zest from 1 lime
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
    • 1 tsp. minced garlic
    • 1 TBSP. chives, chopped
    1. I bought the frozen raw shrimp so my first step was putting all the shrimp in luke warm water (not hot, you don't want them to come out tough) in a big bowl. I also cut a lime in half and squeezed all the juice into the bowl and then dropped the halves in with the shrimp. The lime will prevent the shrimp from getting slimy as they thaw.

    2. While the shrimp is thawing, add the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, lime zest, salt, black pepper, garlic, & chives to a bowl. Whisk together, cover, and put in your fridge.

    3. After the shrimp is done thawing, drain the water out of the bowl. Keep the existing limes.

    4. Pour the marinade mixture into the bowl with the shrimp and try to make sure that the majority of shrimp is covered! Cover and put back in the fridge and marinate for an hour!

    5. After the shrimp has marinated, pre-heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add the entire contents of the bowl to the skillet. Cook the shrimp until its curled and pink. Be careful not to overcook it, it will have a weird flavor and become super tough!

    TO GRILL: Soak wooden skewers overnight in a water bath. This will prevent the skewers from burning while on the grill. Thread the shrimp on the skewer. Put cooking spray on the grill to prevent the shrimp from sticking and put over medium heat. Once again, cook until slightly curled and pretty pink! Make sure you reserve some of the marinade as well, because you'll want to baste the shrimp with it as you're cooking to keep as much of the flavor as possible. =)

    I served this with a salad & honesty mustard dressing. But this would taste GREAT served with grilled marinated chicken or even steak!

    Sunday, July 10, 2011

    Slow Cooker Pork Chops! ♥


    Serves 4.

    This recipe was super easy, very few ingredients and delicious! This recipe IS made in the slow cooker, so keep in mind that its going to take 4 to 5 hours to make! =)

  • 6 pork loin chops (3/4 inch thick)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped
  • 6 white mushrooms
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 teaspoons cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Hot cooked rice, optional

  • TO MAKE!
    1. Start off by browning the pork chops on each side.

    2. While the pork chops are browning, slice the onions and chop the mushrooms and green pepper.

    3. After the pork chops are done browning (they don't need to be cook ALL they way through), put them in the slow cooker. Top with the vegetables!

    4. Mix together the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar & salt. Pour over the pork chops and the vegetables.

    5. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 hours on high heat.

    I served ours with steamed white rice for a side. =)

    Cajun Corned Beef Hash ♥

    Serves 4.

    No pictures again, because my memory card took a dump and my camera is nothing without its side-kick. ;) The next post will have a picture of the final product though. This is definitely one of the favorite recipes that I've tried!


  • 6 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup each finely chopped green onions, sweet red pepper and green pepper
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups chopped cooked corned beef


  • TO MAKE!

    1. I started off by throwing the corned beef in a crock pot. I got the smallest corned beef at Walmart I could find. You don't need a huge one for this recipe or you'll be over-powering everything else!

    2. After the corned beef is done (around 4-5 hours), I cubed the corned beef and put it in a bowl and stuck it in the microwave to keep warm.

    3. I chopped the green onion, green pepper and red pepper. If you want it super easy, you could always buy the frozen pepper mixture, works just as well!

    4. Start melting the butter and cooking the thawed hashbrowns. After a little browned, stir in the peppers, onions, and the seasonings. Stir and distribute through out.

    5. Add the corned beef and heat through. Voile! You're done.


    NOTE: I served this with scrambled eggs on the side. Would make a super yummy breakfast dish if you made the corned beef the night before. =)

    Monday, July 4, 2011

    Sausage & Cabbage Supper!

    This recipe doesn't have a picture, it was gone before I remembered to take one! =)

    This recipe can be made either in the slow cooker or a pot. The slow cooker could take 4-8 hours, depending on your heat settings and how long you want to cook it. The pot method can take up to 45 minutes, but I'll give it to you both ways.

    I will also mention that this recipe makes at least 12 servings, so plan according and cut the recipe in half if you need to!

    Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs. smoked sausage
    • 1 large onion, cut into eighths
    • 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1 lb. carrots cut into 1/2-inch slices
    • 5 medium potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
    For the slow cooker:
    Combine all the ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours. Cook on low for 8 hours. I recommend cooking on low. =)

    For the pot:
    1. Put the sausage and onion in a pot. Over medium heat, brown the sausage and cook until the onion is tender.

    2. Add the cabbage and the water. Turn your heat to low and cover the pot and cook the cabbage for 10 minutes.

    3. Add the potatoes and carrots. Also, add 1/4 tsp. salt to this method to bring out the flavors faster. Cover and cook for 40 minutes. Try to keep the lid on as much as possible so that the potatoes and carrots cook fast.

    NOTE:
    You could also try adding 1/2 a stick to butter instead of the salt. It would also work in both methods. =)

    Monday, May 16, 2011

    Hollywood Candy!




    Hollywood Candy
    1209 Jackson St.
    Omaha, NE 68102
    (402) 346-9746

    Antique Mall or freaking sweet retro candy store?!
    BOTH!!!!
    Mhmm! Hollywood Candy moved from a little cramped, hole-in-the-wall store to a massive antique mall, candy store & "cafe". If you don't go there for the massive amounts of old-fashioned and unique candy, then you definitely go there for the fun atmosphere. And if you don't go there for the fun atmosphere, then you definitely go there for all the vintage stuff that spews from the booths of the antique vendors in the back! Two of my "must visit" stores in the Old Market got married! ;)

    When you walk in your eyes go straight to the wall to wall candy supply. While this isn't the entire candy store, this is just ONE aisle.
    LOOK UP!
    Movie posters are plastered all over the entire ceiling!!

    Now keep walking straight back. You'll come across this...
    Yep, that's a vintage car parked halfway into a wall with old drive in movie theater speakers in the back. Of course, Nolan thought that was one of the coolest things ever! Right after this when you take a turn, you'll land in the antique mall part of the building. Not as big as it used to be (duh!), but its still pretty sweet! I didn't get pictures of this because I was too busy staring at stuff. =)

    After looking at antiques and sifting through candy, it was time to pay and leave. Somebody noticed a train set on top of the candy shelves!... guess who noticed that?!

    We managed to get through their PEZ room unscathed, even though Nolan saw an entire collection of Star Wars PEZ dispensers. But we didn't escape completely free of candy... Nolan walked out with a 34" "Pixie stick" and Jonathon with an Abba Zabba! =)
    Now that our pixie stick is full and our need for candy is fulfilled, its time to head out! So many other stores to visit! But not before we stop and take a picture with our favorite Blue's Brother. And for the little ones... stop at their .5 cent pony ride!





    Tuesday, May 3, 2011

    Biscuits & Gravy! =)



    1 (12 oz.) package maple flavored sausage
    3 TBSP. butter
    1/4 cup all purpose flour
    3 1/2 cups whole milk
    salt and pepper to taste

    1. Preheat the oven to bake biscuits.

    2. Start heating the pan and cooking the sausage.

    3. After the sausage is cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage to a bowl, leaving the drippings behind.

    4. Melt the butter in the pan and start slowly sifting in the flour with a whisk. Remember not to use a metal whisk on pans. It will scratch and ruin them!
    The flour/butter mixture should be smooth and light brown when ready to add the milk.

    5. Slowly add the milk so you can whisk out all the bumps!

    6. Add the sausage back to the pan and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir often so that it doesn't burn to the bottom of the pan and to make sure it doesn't get too thick.

    I just used Pillsbury Grand biscuits instead of making home made... but whatever floats your boat! I do recommend steering away from the "flaky" ones, they don't have the right consistency for this recipe.

    Enjoy, Nolan did!

    Wednesday, April 27, 2011

    Chicken w/ Lemon Mushroom Sauce!


    • You will need!

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
    • 2 tablespoons dried basil
    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
    • 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth
    • 1/4 cup dry white wine
    • 1 lemon, juiced
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
    • 2 tablespoons capers
    • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
    • Fresh mushrooms of course!

    • 1. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, thyme, basil, parsley, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix well... I usually do this with a fork so my flour stays "fluffy". Drag or "dredge" the chicken through the flour mixture until the entire surface of the chicken is coated.

    • 2. Melt butter in a medium sized skillet and cook the chicken until its no longer translucent.

    • 3. While you're cooking the chicken, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, wine and lemon juice. Pour over the chicken.

    • 4. Cover your skillet and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until juices run clear. Add the mushrooms about 5 minutes before done so they don't get over-cooked!

    • 5. Serve hot with rice or noodles! We used rice!

    • NOTE: I forgot to buy capers at the store, so those weren't in the version we made. The original recipe also didn't call for fresh mushrooms... but if you have em', add em'!

    Tuesday, April 26, 2011

    Easter "Lunch"


    Easter tradition in our family used to be driving out to my Aunt and Uncle's house and eatingsmoked turkey that my uncle started smoking at midnight, casseroles, ham... anything you could possibly imagine. Not to mention it was off the beaten path so we could yell, scream, make loud noises... and not affect anybody. Face it, kids will be kids and cause ruckus... it makes it better when theres nobody there to complain! Oh, and we did an Easter egg hunt. =)

    Since its kind of a far drive, we started having Easter at my mom's house. Well since this was our first year in an actual house, we decided to take on Easter Sunday. =) Here are a few pictures of what we did, what we cooked and the fun we had. =)

    Our menu was Honey Glazed Ham, Turkey, Hashbrown Casserole, Greenbean Casserole, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Creamed Corn Casserole, a Veggie Tray and a sausage and cheese dip. My father-in-law sent us a few of the Cheesecake samplers from a restaurant in Chicago for dessert... yum!













    The turkey....




















    So I found a "recipe" on a website when I Googled how to cook a turkey. Never done this before and thought it would be a hell of a lot harder than this! Basically, instead of putting stuffing in it, we chopped celery into about 1.5" pieces, halved 2 lemons and then quartered it, then quartered a large white onion. We then stuffed that, plus rosemary inside the turkey, tucked what wouldn't fit on the outside... and then turned it upside down and cooked it inside a roaster. We cooked it upside down because the breast is normally the driest part. When you cook it breast up, the juices all flow to the dark meat. This was THE moistest turkey I've ever had! Not to mention we got great reviews about it! Oh, we also GENTLY peeled back the skin and rubbed softened button underneath the skin for a bit more flavor!


    Heres the recipe for the Greenbean Casserole! Please keep in mind that this recipe makes 12 servings!! I doubled this recipe and still have an entire tray left. =/ Lol.

    The sausage cheese dip is easy! And I have to credit my cousin Lindsy for this one! We went to Ohio, I fell in love with this and although I've asked her several times how to make it, I once again deleted the recipe and forgot, so I winged it! Lol.
    Sausage Cheese Dip!
    1- (8 ounce) block of cream cheese.
    1 SMALL thing of Velveeta.
    1 can of Rotel.
    1 roll of Italian sausage... you can choose the hot, too if thats what you prefer!

    Cook the sausage. Cube the Velveeta. Drain the sausage. Dump all ingredients into a crockpot and let melt together. Serve with tortilla chips!!

    Here are a few pictures of the kids doing their Easter egg hunt!








    Tuesday, March 29, 2011

    Italian Beef in the Sloooow Cooker. =)



    • 3 cups water
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon onion salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
    • 1 (2.5 lb.) rump roast

    • 1. Mix the water, salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, onion salt, dried parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf and Italian dressing mix together in a medium size pot. Heat until boiling. Remove bay leaf!

    • 2. Put roast in crock pot, pour salad dressing mixture over. Cook on low for 8 hours.

    • 3. Shred meat and put on crusty roll! I'm using hoagie buns!

    Monday, March 28, 2011

    Ranch Pasta Salad!


    This is SUPER simple and only 7 ingredients! My favorite go-to pasta salad for parties & picnics!

    • 10-14 ounces Bow tie Pasta (also known as Farfalle)
    • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise. DO NOT use Miracle Whip- too sweet!
    • 1 cup milk.
    • 3 TBSP. Ranch dressing mix.
    • 1 (3 oz.) bag of Real bacon pieces
    • 2 Medium size tomatoes, diced.
    • About 1/2 cup sliced green onions.

    1. Start off by boiling the water and cooking your noodles, follow box directions!

    2. Mix together your mayonnaise, milk, Ranch dressing mix, diced tomatoes, bacon pieces, and sliced green onions!

    3. Add your cooked, drained noodles to the mixtures, stir to coat. Toss in the fridge until cold. If mixture is too thick, add more milk. If mixture is too thin, add more mayonnaise. Just remember to let it chill for at least two hours before adding mayonnaise because it WILL thicken up after chilling for a bit!

    Easy. as. Pie! =)

    Cajun Chicken Pasta!

    This is pretty close to the Nebraska Brewing Companies recipe. =)
    The recipe says it only makes 2 servings, but it probably makes 2-4, depending on how much you plan to eat. =)
    • 4 oz. of pasta; recipe calls for linguine, I used Penne. =)
    • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts.
    • 3 TBSP. Cajun seasoning.
    • 2 TBSP. butter.
    • 1 red bell pepper.
    • 1 green bell pepper.
    • 1 green onion, chopped.
    • 4 fresh mushrooms, sliced.
    • 1 cup heavy cream. (heavy whipping cream in your dairy aisle!)
    • 1/4 tsp. dried basil
    • 1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1/8 tsp ground black pepper

    Right off the bat, start boiling the water for the noodles. I don't know about you, but it takes me FOREVER to boil noodles. I'm just not skilled enough for that. ;) To get it to boil quickly, try a little bit of salt in it. Not too much, or your noodles will suffer!

    1. Cut your chicken into bite size pieces, about 1/2-inch to 1-inch. Chicken is always easiest to cut when slightly frozen, so it doesn't move around on you. =) The best way to set up a cutting board that doesn't have rubber stoppers on it, is to wet down a thin dish cloth or even paper towels, wring it out so its damp, and put it underneath the cutting board.

    2. After cutting the chicken, toss into a Zip Lock bag. Put the 3 TBSP. of Cajun season in with the chicken and toss to coat. Make sure everything is coated! Just tastes better that way. Set aside.


    3. Wash your veggies! To clean the mushrooms, just take a damp paper towel and wipe all the dirt off! Slice your bell peppers into strips, and slice your mushrooms about 1/4-inch thick. You want them a little thicker than normal so they don't disappear into the rest of the food! Set veggies aside!






    4. Heat up the two TBSP. of butter in a large skillet or pot. In this case I used a pot because I don't have a deep skillet! =)

    5. After the butter is melted, put your chicken into your skillet and cook until browned on the outside. About 5 to 7 minutes.





    6. Add the veggies to the chicken and cook and saute for about 2 to 3 minutes. You don't want them translucent, you want them still crunchy!











    7. Add the heavy cream, dried basil, lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder, and ground pepper! Take the spatula and stir it in, while scraping everything off the bottom of the pot!











    8. Taste the sauce, if you feel like its missing something, add it! I always end up adding more Cajun seasoning... watch out though, it can get a little too salty/spicy!
    9. By now the noodles should be done, so drain them and then put them in the chicken/sauce mixture. Toss to coat!

    10. Serve hot! Parmesan cheese on top is optional!!=)


    Saturday, March 26, 2011

    Home-Made Vegetable Beef Soup!


    Excuse the tupperware container, I was packing Jonathon's lunch for work. =)
    • 1 lb. rump roast, cubed.
    • 2 (26 0z. or family sized) cans condensed tomato soup.
    • 4 cups water.
    • 3 beef bouillon cubes
    • 1 TBSP. Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning.
    • 1/2 tsp. Weber Beer Can Chicken Seasoning.
    • 1 (12 oz.) bag frozen mixed vegetables.
    • 3 cups Southern Style frozen cubed potatoes.
    • 1/2 tsp. sugar.
    • salt & pepper to taste!
    1. Start by cubing the rump roast. 1/2 inch cubes should be about perfect.

    2. Toss into your crock pot. Then mix in the tomato soup, water, beef bouillon cubes, and both Weber seasonings.

    3. Cook for 4 hours on high setting.

    4. Add the vegetables, potatoes, sugar and salt & pepper & cook for another 1.5-2 hours!

    We did this in a regular pot for dinner because we were in a time crunch! The meat turned out a little tough because roast is meant to be slow cooked! So while thats an option, I highly recommend putting in a slow cooker! Or you could slow cook it on the stove by turning it to a very low heat and covering it.

    NOTE: Also keep in mind that the longer the food cooks at a lower temperature, the more tender its going to be. The rule of thumb for slow cookers is if you're cooking it on the low setting, cook it for 8 hours. If you're cooking it on high setting, then it should be done in 4-6 hours.

    Saturday, March 12, 2011

    EASY Sweet and Sour Pork!



    I don't have pictures to go with this recipe. Its almost to easily understood to take pictures. That, and I had to get this done quick since Nolan was complaining about being hungry! =)
    • 1 lb. pork loin, cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
    • 2 handfuls of all-purpose flour.
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1/4 tsp. pepper.
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder.
    • 1 green bell pepper, sliced and cut into thirds.
    • 1 red bell pepper, sliced and cut into thirds.
    • 1/4 of an onion, sliced.
    • 1 jar of pre-made sweet and sour sauce.
    • Pineapple chunks. (optional)
    1. Mix together your flour, garlic powder, salt & pepper in a shallow dish or on a plate.

    2. Take your cubed pork loin and toss it in the flour and use your hands to coat all the pork pieces with the flour, evenly.

    3. Heat about 1.5 TBSP of oil in a deep pan or skillet. Or you can use a Wok, I just used a pot. =)

    4. As soon as the oil is hot enough, gently place the pork pieces covered in flour into the oil.

    5. Cook until slightly browned on the outside.

    6. Add the sliced onions, red bell pepper and green bell pepper. Mix the veggies with the pork well, cook for about 3 minutes. Add the pre-made sweet and sour sauce. Toss to coat.

    7. Continue to cook until the pork is done and the veggies should be done, but crisp!

    8. At the end of cook time, you can add pineapple chunks if you want it to be a tad sweeter. Cashews would also be good with this, too!

    9. Serve on top of rice.
    I don't really like making the minute rice, but what ever is easiest for you! Friend rice would be good I'm sure, too!



    Friday, March 11, 2011

    Meatballs... Definitely NOT traditional!

    Serves 4!
    • 1 lb. lean ground beef.
    • 3/4 cups crushed seasoned croutons.
    • 1/4 cup chopped sweet onion.
    • 1 egg, lightly beaten.
    • 1 heaping teaspoon minced garlic.
    • 3 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 TBSP. prepared yellow mustard
    • 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
    Once again, just the recipe will be at the very bottom if you scroll all the way past the pictures!

    1. Take off all your rings and wash your hands, this recipe needs those and they're going to get messy! =)







    2. Crush your seasoned croutons. You can use a meat mallet and
    crush them, but I use a rolling pin so it doesn't poke holes in the bag!









    3. Chop your onions. Don't make the pieces TOO big or your meatballs will fall apart easier!











    4. Crack egg into a separate container and beat lightly. By doing it in a separate container, you're preventing the egg from contaminating the rest of the ingredients in the bowl!! Also, don't crack it on the edge of the anything, crack it on a flat surface, or the egg shells will get into the egg!







    5. Add your ground beef, crushed croutons, chopped onion, beaten egg, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and Cajun seasoning to a large bowl.









    6. Time to get your hands dirty!! Mix your ingredients together extremely well. Try not to mix TOO much, it can make the meat tough!












    7. Fill up large pot with spaghetti sauce, enough to cover the meatballs.










    8. Mold the meatballs in 1.5 inch balls.
















    9. Gently drop the balls into the sauce, stir to cover individual meatballs.. GENTLY!













    10. Cook on medium-high heat for 30 minutes, then medium-low for 15 minutes. Stirring while cooking, but remember to stir gently. These will break very easy!
    11. After 45 minutes they should be cooked through. Serve with your favorite pasta! =)


    ____________________________________________________________
    1. Take off all your rings and wash your hands, this recipe needs those and they're going to get messy! =)

    2. Crush your flavored croutons. You can use a meat mallet and crush them, but I use a rolling pin so it doesn't poke holes in the bag!

    3. Chop your onions. Don't make the pieces TOO big or your meatballs will fall apart easier!

    4. Crack egg into a separate container and beat lightly. By doing it in a separate container, you're preventing the egg from contaminating the rest of the ingredients in the bowl!! Also, don't crack it on the edge of the anything, crack it on a flat surface, or the egg shells will get into the egg!

    5. Add your ground beef, crushed croutons, chopped onion, beaten egg, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and Cajun seasoning to a large bowl.

    6. Time to get your hands dirty!! Mix your ingredients together extremely well. Try not to mix TOO much, it can make the meat tough!!

    7. Fill up a large pot with spaghetti sauce, enough to cover the meatballs.

    8. Mold the meatballs in 1.5 inch balls.

    9. Gently drop the balls into the sauce, stir to cover individual meatballs.. GENTLY!

    10. Cook on medium-high heat for 30 minutes, then medium-low for 15 minutes. Stirring while cooking, but remember to stir gently. These will break very easy!

    11. After 45 minutes they should be cooked through. Serve with your favorite pasta! =)

    NOTE: You CAN bake these for a different cooking method. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30-45 minutes in a glass baking dish.

    OR You can saute these in 1 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 1 TBSP. butter.