Meatball Sandwich Casserole

One of my favorite foods I have to say is homemade meatballs.  I love meatball sandwiches but sometimes want to switch it up.  I found a recipe on pinterest when I first started for a meatball sandwich casserole. I completely forgot about it until I saw the picture.  I decided I would try and make it up and it turned out really good.  It was a big hit with everyone who ate it. 

Ingredients

For meatballs

• 1 pound ground turkey (or ground beef)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup of Italian bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

For Casserole

• 1 loaf of french bread (sliced)
• 1 bag of frozen chopped onions and peppers
• 1.5 cups of your favorite spaghetti sauce
• 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine your meat in a medium size bowl and mix well.
3. Form into balls and over medium high heat brown your meatballs.
4. Once your meatballs are done cooking add your onion and pepper mixture to the same pan and saute for about 5 minutes.
5. Once tender add your sauce and meatballs and mix till everything is covered with sauce. (If you need more sauce add some so the mixture does not get dry)
6. Cut your french bread in slices and brush your bread slices with olive oil
7. Layer your bread in a casserole dish overlapping pieces where necessary
8. Add your meat mixture covering as much of the bread as possible
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bread is golden brown
10. Remove from oven, add your mozzarella cheese and bake for another 5 minutes until your cheese is melted.
11. Enjoy =)

Final Product

I would love some comments!

Sunday Football Cheese Ball

This Sunday was not only football Sunday but also my brothers birthday.  This recipe came from a family friend years ago and has become my party staple.  There is NEVER any leftover and I usually get asked to make 2.  I put this on the table and within 10 minutes it was completely gone.  It is simple and absolutely delicious. 

Ingredients

• 2 blocks of cream cheese softened
• 1 package of buddig dried beef (chopped finely)
• 2 tablespoons of onion flakes
• 2 tablespoons of worchestire sauce
• 1 tabespoon of season all
• 1 cup of chopped walnuts
• 2 tablepspoons parsley

Directions

1. Stick your cream cheese in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds, or untill soft enough to stir
2. Chop up your dried beef and add to your cream cheese.
3. Add your onion flakes, worchestire sauce and season all to the cream cheese and mix well
4. Once completely mixed lay out a large sheet of seran wrap and place your cream cheese in the middle.
5. cover the cream cheese mixture and form into a ball
6. Place in the fridge for about 1-2 hours or the freezer for 30 minutes
7. While the ball is in the fridge mix your walnuts and parsley together.
8. Take your ball out of the fridge and roll in the mixture till completely covered
9. Serve with crackers!

Final Product

Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups

Here is another delightful buffalo chicken recipe.  I had to work late all last week so I was really looking for meals that were fast, easy and delicious to make, and this definitely qualified.  All together it took less then 10 minutes to prepare and less then 15 minutes to cook.  This is perfect for a quick dinner, or you could even make these as an appetizer.  Please feel free to comment with any suggestions or comments =)

Ingredients

• 12 egg roll wrappers (these are located in the produce aisle by the bagged lettuce)
• 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 pound of cooked chicken shredded
• 1 cup of hot sauce
• Cooking spray
• Ranch/ blue cheese for dipping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. If you do not already have cooked chicken, place your chicken in a pan with about 1 inch of water and let boil for about 15 minutes (turning sides to not burn)
3. Shred your chicken finely and add to a medium bowl
4. Add your hot sauce and cheddar cheese to the chicken and mix well (you may add less or more hot sauce depending on how spicy you like them, these were pretty spicy)
5. won ton wrapper and place a heaping spoonful on the middle of the wrapper.
6. Wrap your won ton, following the instructions that are listed on the package
7. Place your roll ups on a well greased cookie sheet and spray both sides of roll upwell with cooking spray.
8. Place your roll ups in oven for 10-15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown
9. Serve with dressing

Final Product

Comments welcome!

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

It is getting to be that time of year... soup weather.  I saw a recipe on the blog skinny taste for chicken pot pie soup and knew that I had to try it.  I doubled the recipe because I wanted to have leftovers for lunch.  The prep time was a little long but well worth the wait.  Let me know if you have any feedback and would love comments!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour
• 2 cups of water 
• 1 celery stalk
• 1/2 medium onion
• 4 cups of non-fat milk
• 2 tsp of chicken bullion granules 
• 1/2 tsp of pepper
• pinch of thyme
• 10 oz frozen vegetables
• 2 potatoes diced
• 16 oz of cooked chicken diced
• 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese 

Directions

1. In a medium bowl whisk together 1/2 cup of water and your flour... set aside
2. In a large pot add the rest of your water and your milk and bring to a boil (this will take about 15-20 minutes)
3. Once the liquid is boiling add your celery, onion, chicken bullion, pepper, thyme and frozen veggies and return to a boil.
4. Cover partially and let simmer for about 20 minutes or until veggies are tender.
5. Once veggies are cooked uncover and add your potatoes.
6. Let simmer for another 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
7. Add your chicken and flour mixture and whisk till thick.
8. Add your cheddar cheese and let sit for 2-5 minutes
9. Serve with rolls 

Final Product

Black Bean Quesidillas

As you all can tell I really love black beans, and quesidillas.  My boyfriend can really do without black beans, so he went home for a couple days and I decided it was the perfect time to try this recipe.  This recipe was so easy, and the taste was absolutely delicious.  If you love black beans, this is definitely an easy and perfect recipe for you!  This made 3 quesidillas so if you need more than that just double the recipe!  I ordered a new charger for my camera so my pictures should be back up to par in no time =).  Feel free to leave any comments and suggestions!!


Ingredients

• 1 15 oz can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup of pepper jack shredded cheese (this cheese gave them a nice little kick)
• 3/4 cup of salsa
• 6 tortillas of your choice
• Sour cream for dipping

Directions

1. In a medium bowl add all of your ingredients (except the sour cream) and mix well.
2. Once mixed divide your mixture into three sections.
3. Add your mixture to one tortilla, and place your other tortilla on top.
4. Place on quesidilla maker for about 10 minutes.
5. If you are using a pan spray well with cooking spray and cook each side for no more than 5 minutes.
6. Let cool and serve!

Final Product

Garlic and Lemon Pasta with Asparagus

I am trying to eat somewhat healthier and let me tell you it gets expensive.  I have to say one of my favorite vegetables is asparagus, and it is hard to find recipes with asparagus in it.  I found a recipe for asparagus pasta and decided I would try something different.  It turned out really good.  I did have to make the asparagus on the side because some people are picky eaters. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound of asparagus trimmed
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 3 garlic gloves chopped or minced
• 1 pt of non fat milk (or light cream)
• 1 box of  whole grain penne pasta
• 1 lemon cut into halves.
• 1 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a small pot boil water and add your asparagus.  Let boil for 4 minutes.
2. In another pot boil your water, once boiling add your pasta and cook for about 8 minutes.
3. In a large pot melt your butter, once butter is melted add your garlic and asparagus.
4. Sautee for 3-5 minutes.
5. Once the asparagus is tender add your milk.  Let your mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
6. Squeeze one half of your lemon into your mixture. Mix well and pour over noodles.
7. Taste the pasta and if you need more lemon add more lemon.  Add your Parmesan cheese, mix well and serve!

Final Product

BBQ Chicken Dip

It was another great football Sunday and that means time to try out a new dip.  This dip was super easy to make and the taste was great.  It was almost exactly the same process as making buffalo dip but with barbeque.

Ingredients

• 1 block of cream cheese (softened)
• 1 pound of chicken cooked and shredded
• 3/4 cup of barbeque sauce
• 1/4 cup of ranch dressing
• 2 cups of cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons onion powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook your chicken, and while chicken is cooking soften your cream cheese.
3. Shred your chicken in a large mixing bowl and mix all of your ingredients together except cheddar cheese.
4. Transfer to a circle baking pan and sprinkle with your cheddar cheese.
5. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Final Product

Amazing pork marinade and roasted vegetables

I love making a nice Sunday dinner and always try and do some sort of meat with vegetables.  I really don't eat pork a lot but I had a coupon for Hatfield pork loins and they were on sale buy one get one free and I had to get them.  I found an amazing marinade online and let the pork soak all day.  The veggies were also delicious and paired perfectly with the pork.

Ingredients for pork marinade

• 1 Hatfield original pork loin
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of sugar 
• 3/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 3 teaspoons onion powder

Directions for pork marinade

1. Add all of your ingredients to a small mixing bowl.  Mix all ingredients together and continue to mix until sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Place your pork in a freezer bag and dump your mixture on top of pork.
3. Refrigerate for AT LEAST 30 minutes ( I marinated mine for 5 hours)
4. Bake your pork according to directions.

Ingredients for roasted veggies

• 1.5 pounds of new potatoes (I used red)
• 1 pound of green beans
• 1/3 cup LAWRY’S Mediterranean Herb and White Wine Marinade
• 3 tablespoons of onion powder
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese

Directions for roasted veggies

1. Trim and wash your green beans and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Cut your potatoes into cubes and add to your green beans.
3. Add your marinade and the rest of your ingredients and mix well.
4. Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
5. Place your veggies on baking sheet 
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

Final Product

Spinach Burgers

I have to say spinach is probably one of my favorite foods.  I can eat it any way at all I just really enjoy spinach.  I have am trying to make more veggie like things for dinner at least for me and my roommate and this was DELICIOUS. If you are looking to make these in place of regular burgers this recipe only makes 2 burgers.

Ingredients

• 1 box of frozen spinach thawed and drained very well
• 2 egg whites
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (I think next time I would use Parmesan cheese)
• 1/2 cup of bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl add your drained spinach
2. Add your egg whites,egg, garlic powder, cheese, breadcrumbs and garlic powder mix very well.
3. Once mixed separate mixture into two patties or 4 smaller ones if you are not planning on placing them on buns.
4. Spray a large pan with cooking spray and cook your patty for 4-6 minutes on each side
5. Serve on a bun or eat plain.

Final Product

My Taste Tester

Buffalo Chicken Chili

I must say that chili is one of my favorite foods and have made quite a few since starting my cooking blog.  I saw a couple pins going around pinterest for buffalo chicken chili and knew that I had to make it.  This was so delicious, the only thing was it didnt make us much as I thought, so next time I would probably make more.  I will be making this again for sure!  I took the recipe fromhttp://www.closetcooking.com/2012/04/buffalo-chicken-chili.html.

Directions

• 1 pound of chicken ground or cut into really tiny pieces
• 1 Tablespoon of oil
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1/2 cup of celery chopped
• 1/2 cup of carrots chopped
• 2 tablespoons of garlic
• 1 tablespoon of cumin
• 1 cup of beer 
• 1 15 oz can of diced tomatoes
•  1 15oz can of cannellini beans
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper (use 1 teaspoon of you do not like it spicy)
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• 1 cup of hot sauce

Directions

1. Cook your chicken and place aside.
2. Heat your oil in a large pot and add your onions, celery and carrots.  Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until veggies are tender.
3. Add your garlic and cumin and cook for another minute
4. Add your beer and deglaze your pot.
5.  Add chicken, tomatoes, beans, paprika, oregano, cayenne and hot sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Serve with blue cheese or ranch

Final Product