quick, easy, delicious!

Here is a really good recipe I came up with that will not only satisfy your hunger, but will get the plate in front of you very quickly. At the end I will explain the name of it.

Dance with me Steak

1 sm. pkg breakfast steak
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sea salt (fine)
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
2 tbsp. Chunky Salsa

Heat skillet and drizzle with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. (just enough to coat the pan)
Mix all seasonings except for salsa together and sprinkle liberally over steak pieces on both sides. Place steak in skillet and let cook through. (about 2 min on each side.) Add Salsa, turning the meat to coat both sides. Serve!

Select vegetables of your choice to serve along with this quick and tasty dish.

This may sound corny, but I call this dance with me steak because of the salsa being added. A salsa is a latin dance and this has a latin flair to it. It is also a quick dish and the dance is a quick step dance. Hey, it's my idea so just go with it! Enjoy!
Good eating and Happy cooking!

It's been a while

This is one I just did for our Sunday dinner. I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you think. I will have to add  a picture at a later date. I am having internet issues today.

SAUCY BALLS

SAUCE –

1 SM CAN TOMATO PASTE

1 SM CAN DICED TOMATOES OR 3 FRESH TOMATOES DICED

1 ONION, DICED

2 – 3 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED

2 TSP BASIL

2 TSP OREGANO

S & P TO TASTE

2 TBSP SUGAR

WATER

PUT ALL INGREDIENTS EXCEPT HERBS INTO POT AND BRING TO BOIL. YOU WANT TO START WITH JUST ENOUGH WATER TO COVER THE TOP OF THE TOMATOES, GRADUALLY ADDING MORE AS NEEDED. ONCE IT BEGINS TO BOIL YOU CAN REDUCE THE HEAT TO LOW AND LET IT SIMMER. CHECK IT PERIODICALLY AND STIR. WHEN IT GETS THICK, ADD A LITTLE WATER AND STIR WELL. LET SIMMER LIKE THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 – 2 HOURS. THE LONGER IT SIMMERS THE MORE THE FLAVORS WILL BLEND. ADD THE HERBS AT THE END OF COOKING TIME. THE AMOUNT OF WATER YOU USE WILL DETERMINE HOW THICK OR THIN YOUR SAUCE IS. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE COOKING PROCESS IS A THICKENER.

MEATBALLS –

1 LB EACH OF:

GROUND TURKEY

GROUND BEEF

GROUND ITALIAN SAUSAGE

1 SM ONION, DICED

1 EA. GREEN AND RED BELL PEPPER, DICED

SALT

PEPPER

1 CUP ITALIAN BREADCRUMBS, PLUS ADDITIONAL FOR ROLLING

1 EGG

2 TSP. BASIL

2 TSP. OREGANO

2 TSP. GARLIC POWDER

MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER AND FORM INTO BALLS. (YOU CHOOSE THE SIZE) ROLL EACH BALL IN BREADCRUMBS TO COAT. BAKE AT 350° FOR 1 HOUR. YOU CAN ALSO DO A QUICK FRY TO GET A CRUST ON THE OUTSIDE BEFORE BAKING. CHECK FOR DONENESS AND SPOON INTO SAUCE. SERVE AND ENJOY!

~Teresa

parties

Are you having a party and need appetizer ideas? I will put a few on here and maybe it will be something you can use.

Sausage balls - very simple. ground sausage mixed with a little ground beef or ground turkey. throw in a little bread crumbs, roll into balls. Heat slowly over med low heat until browned. Add some grape jelly and let simmer. Easy, inexpensive, and good.

Shrimp/crab or seafood dip - 1 jar salsa, 1 pkg. cream cheese softened, cooked shrimp or crabmeat chopped, handful of shredded cheddar. Mix all ingredients well. Put in a bowl surrounded by your favorite crackers for dipping. Easy!

Bruschetta - Diced tomatoes, diced onions or onion powder, minced garlic or garlic powder, chopped basil, mozzarella cheese, loaf bread. Mix the tomatoes, onion, garlic and basil. Set aside. Slice bread into 1/2" slices and toast in oven lightly. Spoon small amount of tomato mixture on each slice and top with cheese, put under broiler just long enough to melt cheese. Simple and delicious!

These are just a few of the really easy items you can serve.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

Happy cooking and good eating!

No requests

Ok, Since there were no requests made for anything specific and I am busy trying to make a bunch of Christmas gifts then anyone who might be following along will just have to take whatever I post. ha ha
This is a good recipe that doesn't take a lot of time so it would be good to make during the busy holiday times when you are in a bind.

SPINACH PESTO PASTA

INGREDIENTS

WHOLE WHEAT PENNE NOODLES – 1 BOX COOKED TO AL DENTE

CHERRY TOMATOES – APPROX. 10 CUT IN HALF

FROZEN SPINACH (OR FRESH) – THAWED IF FROZEN

WALNUTS – A GOOD HANDFUL

PARMESAN CHEESE – 1 ½ CUPS

GARLIC CLOVE – 1

OLIVE OIL – ½ - 1 CUP

LEMON – PEEL AND JUICE – GRATED LEMON PEEL , THEN JUICE

SALT & PEPPER – TO TASTE

FRESH BASIL – ABOUT 5-7 LARGE LEAVES CUT IN CHIFFANADE

DIRECTIONS

COOK PASTA, DRAIN AND COOL. PUT SPINACH, NUTS, GARLIC, OLIVE OIL, AND 1 CUP PARMESAN, INTO FOOD PROCESSOR. BLEND UNTIL YOU GET A NICE CONSISTENCY. GRATE THE LEMON PEEL AND TOSS HALF WITH THE PASTA AND PUT THE OTHER HALF IN WITH THE PESTO. SQUEEZE HALF THE LEMON JUICE INTO PESTO AND GIVE IT ANOTHER SPIN. THE OTHER HALF OF THE LEMON JUICE INTO THE PASTA AND GIVE IT A STIR. CUT THE TOMATOES IN HALF AND TOSS THEM IN THE PASTA. ADD THE PESTO MIX, SALT & PEPPER. TOP WITH ½ CUP GRATED PARMESAN AND FRESH BASIL.

SERVE AND ENJOY!

• ADD IN A LITTLE KEN’S NORTHERN ITALIAN TOMATO BASIL SALAD DRESSING FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TASTE.

Happy Cooking and good eating!

Tell me what...

Ok for my few followers on here. Tell me what you would like to see a posting on. Would you like some tips, some special recipe, or maybe you would like some info on spices/herbs?

When I get a few replies on here I will post something about what you have asked for.  If nobody is paying attention to what I post, then you will just have to put up with whatever strikes me at the moment.

So, I am asking you, please, tell me what is on your mind? What is it about cooking that you want to know more about? What can I help the average Joe/sephine out there with?

Thanks for following me and remember...

Happy cooking and good eating!

Inexpensive and easy

Here is a meal that is very cost effective and very easy to prepare.
1 box of pasta roni shells and white cheddar
handful of frozen broccoli
1 can of chicken (like tuna can)
salt
pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
parsley


Cook the pasta according to the package directions. I added a little more water because of putting in the broccoli and the chicken. Put your salt and pepper in the water. Let it boil for about 8 - 10 minutes instead of the 12- 15 on the box. Remove from heat, drain, add your milk, butter, and seasoning from the pasta box. Add 1 tsp each of the onion powder and garlic powder. When all is mixed well, then sprinkle with parsley. You can also add a little sprinkle of sweet paprika for a pretty and "Christmasy" look.

This can be made with tuna, crab meat, shrimp, ham. Another one that you can just change up slightly according to your particular tastes. Try different veggies in it too.  Serve with your favorite cracker or a nice hunk of fresh bread.

Happy cooking and good eating!

make it stretch

Make it stretch seems like an odd title for a food blog. Today I want to talk to you about how to make your food, and ultimately your dollar, go farther. There are so many ways to take one meal and turn it into another. All you really need is your imagination (and possibly a strong stomach).

Let's start with your basic pinto beans. You make a pot of beans.. after a meal store your beans. The reason will come shortly. Save your cornbread too.

You make some spaghetti. Don't mix your sauce and your pasta. Reason to come shortly.

You can combine your spaghetti sauce and your beans, add some bell pepper, onions, chili powder, and cumin and turn those two meals into a pot of chili.

You can also take the beans and some chili and turn that into a mexican dish.
Sloppy Joe's can turn into spaghetti, then turn the spaghetti into chili.

Take some mashed potatoes leftover. Start a pot of potato soup (using less potatoes than normal) add the mashed potatoes and it becomes a creamier potato soup!  Mashed potatoes can also be used to make potato pancakes. Or... mix with cheese and herbs, roll into balls dipped in flour and deep fry for a crispy potato ball.

The cornbread. I save my cornbread in the freezer throughout the year. It is great to thaw out and re-use for another pot of beans. It is even better to save up and use for stuffing.

This is a start for how to stretch your food. Think about some of the main ingredients in different dishes and which have the same flavor type. Adding one or two simple ingredients can change the dish to make something new. Doing this will help keep your family from getting bored with the same ol leftovers and really helps to stretch that ever shrinking dollar.