Spaghetti and Meatballs

This recipe was adapted from

 http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/04/spaghetti-and-meatballs/

We love this recipe. The meatballs are so good and flavorful. I did double this recipe. It made about 30 meatballs. I froze half of the meatballs for meatball subs. :)

Italian Meatballs:
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 lb. Italian sausage
1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. dehydrated onion
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. parsley
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt

Combine all meatball ingredients and mix in a medium size bowl.  Shape meat into balls, I used a cookie scoop and then rolled them in my hands to form a nice ball. 

 Broil  the meatballs until they start to brown. 

Sauce
1 large onion, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Olive oil
2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
16 oz. tomato sauce
1-2 Tbsp. sugar (to taste)
2 tsp. basil
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of baking soda (to help neutralize the acid)

In a large pot, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Saute onions and garlic.  Add remaining sauce ingredients and combine well. Bring to a simmer and add meatballs. Simmer on low, about 25-30 minutes. 

Serve over spaghetti. 

Jalapeno Popper Dip

This was very good. I was afraid it would be spicy but it wasn't at all. 

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated

4 jalapeno peppers, chopped

3-4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and sliced

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated

Directions

In a bowl mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, parmigiano reggiano and jalapenos in a bowl and pour into a baking dish.

In another bowl mix the panko bread crumbs and parmigiano reggiano and sprinkle over the dip.

Preheat oven to 350F. Place in oven until the sides are bubbling and the cheese cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top, about 20 minutes. 

Sauteed Green Beans

I threw this together tonight experimenting with our green beans. My husband said it was the best green beans he has ever had. So I thought I better write this down so I can remember what I did. :)


Ingredients:
1 - 1 1/2 lbs. fresh pole green beans
2 Tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1/8 cup chopped almonds
1/2-3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
Saute green beans and garlic in butter. Add rosemary, almonds, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Saute until green beans are tender. These were so delicious and easy to make. 

Memphis Style Coleslaw

This recipe was adapted from Our Best Bites. 

Our whole family, even my picky eater LOVED this recipe! 

Ingredients:
1 c. mayonnaise 
2 Tbsp. Dijon or whole-grain mustard
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 heaping tsp. Kosher salt (or 1/2 tsp. of table salt)
1 Tbsp. grated onion
2-2 1/2 tsp. celery seed (I made this with out and it was still very good)
1 16-oz. bag shredded cabbage with carrots or 1 head of cabbage shredded
1/2 minced green bell pepper
1 carrot, peeled and grated


Directions:
In a bowl combine, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, onion and celery seed. Mix.
Then add cabbage, green pepper and carrot to mayo mixture. Mix again. 
Chill in refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours. 


Goes well with barbecue sandwiches. Looking for a quick BBQ sandwich recipe, click here. http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2011/03/slow-cooker-chicken-bbq-sandwiches.html

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I am addicted to these! So easy and so yummy!


Ingredients:
sweet potatoes, 5 peeled and sliced
olive oil
chili powder
garlic salt
pepper


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425. Add sweet potatoes to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle chili powder, garlic salt and pepper. Stir. You may need to add seasoning again. I did. :) 
Pour fries onto a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the fries overs and bake for another 15. Taste. You may need to add salt. Up to you!
Enjoy. 

Crockpot Italian Chicken

Sorry no pic but this was so great! We had this last night and the whole family loved it. This would be a great meal to take to new moms. 


Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
2 cans of cream of chicken
1 cup milk
1 packet Italian dressing mix
1-8oz cream cheese
Rotini Pasta


Directions:
Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Place chicken in crock pot. 
Mix cream of chicken, milk, Italian dressing packet and pour over chicken.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
Shred chicken and place cream cheese in crock pot and allow to melt. Stir. The cream cheese makes it so yummy!!!!
Boil your rotini pasta according to package instructions.
Serve chicken mixture over pasta. 
We served this with Italian bread and strawberry feta salad. Yum!

Easy Strawberry Pie

This was SO GOOD and super easy to make. I am not a strawberry pie fan but this was great! 

Ingredients

• 1 C sugar
• 1 C Water
• 3 T strawberry gelatin mix
• 1 Pint Fresh Strawberries
• 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 pie crust, cooked and cooled 

Instructions

1. Mix  sugar, cornstarch, and dry gelatin in a bowl. 
2. Add water and stir.
3. Place mixture in a pot and cook until thick and clear over medium high heat. You have to stir constantly to prevent burning. 
4. Set aside and let cool. 
5. While mixture is cooling, wash and cut strawberries in half. Place strawberries in pie crust.
6.  Once the filling has cooled, pour over strawberries and chill pie until ready to serve. Serve with cool whip or vanilla ice cream. 

Recipe was adapted from Southern Plate.