So it's been awhile since I've posted. Life has just been busy and I haven't had time to post recipes with pics and all. This past Sunday we had company so I decided to make homemade meatballs with homemade spaghetti sauce. It was yummy if I do say so myself!
The Best Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1.5lbs ground beef
- half pound of ground pork (or you can use all beef)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup grated Romano cheese
- 1.5 Tbs chopped Italian flat leaf parsley (or 1tsp dried parsley. Doesn't taste quite as good in my opinion)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups stale bread, crumbled up (in a pinch I make a few slices of toast and crumble that up)
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- olive oil for skillet
Directions:
1. Combine beef and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
2. Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water. The mixture should be moist but still hold it's shape when rolled into meatballs. Shape into meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches. When the meatballs are brown and slightly crisp remove from heat and drain on paper towel. I then put the meatballs in my crock pot and cover with homemade sauce (recipe follows) and cook on high for 3-4hrs or low for 6-7hrs.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (28oz) crushed tomatoes (any kind will do. I use my mom's homemade canned from the garden)
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1.5 Tbs dried basil
- 1.5 Tbs dried oregano
- 1.5 Tbs dried rosemary
- 1.5 Tbs olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Put all ingredients in blender or food processor. (you can skip this if using crushed tomatoes. Sometimes I only have whole) Pour over meatballs and cook as directed above. Or you can cook on the stove for 20 minutes.
This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for a week, 6 months in the freezer, or indefinitely if canned.
Don't mind this pic. Since we had company on Sunday I felt a little weird taking pictures of my food so this is today at unch when I had leftovers. Still Yummy!!
I try and use my crock pot on Sundays. It makes it easier when going to church to have something yummy to eat for lunch after! I usually put it in Saturday night. Stuffed Peppers I get ready the night before and put them in first thing in the morning.
Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
6 green bell peppers
salt and pepper to taste
1.5 pounds of ground beef
1 small chopped onion
1 can (14.5 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1/2 cup water
1 cup of shredded cheese of your choice
2 (10.75 oz) cans of condensed tomato soup
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds. Cook peppers in boiling wate for 5 minutes; drain. Sprikle salt insde each pepper, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, saute beef and onions until beef is browned. Drain off excess fat, , and season with salt and pepper. Sir in the tmatoes, rice, 1/2 cup water and Worcestershire sauce. Cover, andsimmer for 20 min. Remove from heat. Mix in cheese.
3. Place a little bit of cheese in the bottom of each pepper. Stuff each pepper with meat mixture. Place peppers in crock pot. Pour tomato sauce over peppers. Cook on high for 4-5hrs or on low for 8-9hrs. Place more cheese on top last 20min of cook time.
I have used many different cheeses depending on what I have on hand. I've used cheddar, mozzeralla, farmers, provolone and they've all tasted great!
Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
5-6 large potatoes
milk
butter
salt
Directions:
1. Peel potates and cut into approximately 1 inch pieces. Put into pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil until potatoes are tender 15-20 min. Drain potatoes.
2. Place approximately 1 cup of milk in microwave safe dish with 2Tbs butter. Microwave on high for 20 seconds. Slowly add 1/4 cup at a time to potatoes and mix with mixer. (make sure all the butter goes in). Add salt to taste. Keep mixing until potatoes are at desired consistency.
OK I always just eyeball milk and butter for my potatoes. I mix in a bit at a time (although I add all the butter) until my potatoes are where I want them. Also, heating the milk and butter helps keep the potatoes warm! You can put sauce from the peppers on the potatoes or add butter to them. Whatever you wish!
