Meatballs

My kids love meatballs. These are my favorite. (I have to chop the spinach up to hide it from my kid who doesn't eat cooked veggies).

1 lb lean ground beef
1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed, well drained (or finely chopped fresh spinach)
1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
2 gloves minced garlic
1 egg
3/4 cup shredded italian three cheese blend
2 tbsp parmesan cheese


Mix together, then shape into 18 meatballs, using about 2 tbsp for each. Place in pan sprayed with cooking spray. Cook at 375 for 15mins. or until at 160 degrees.

Yummy Chili

We had our annual Ward Barn Dance and Chili cookoff. This was my favorite. I hope you enjoy it.

1lb ground beef
1lb ground pork sausage
1 packet chili seasonings
1/2 diced onion
1 diced green bell pepper
1 diced red bell pepper
3 cloves diced garlic
1 can petite diced tomatoes w/jalapeno
1 can petite diced tomatoes w/chilies and onion
1 can tomato sauce
1 can pinto beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can northern beans

saute onion and peppers and garlic in a little olive oil until tender brown meats then add chili seasoning. add rest of ingredients and let simmer for 30 min stirring occasionally.

White Chicken Chili

Chad is such a lover of white chicken chili. I have been trying different recipes and this is my favorite so far. It's also very easy. It's not to spicy for the younger crowd but you can definetely tweek the recipe so it could be.

1 tbsp canola oil
1 large onion chopped
1 lb boneless skinless chcken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
3 cans chicken broth
2 cans cannellini beans, drained (couldn't find them so I used white beans and G. Northern beans)
1 can chopped green chilies (you can add 1 more can for a little more spice)
1 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp ground cumin
(can add a dash of cayenne if you like)
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Chopped Cilantro (did you know you can buy dried cilantro? I love it)

In 4 qrt sauce pan or dutch oven heat oil over med-high. Add onion, garlic and chicken. Cook and stir until chicken isn't pink. Add remaining ingredients except Cheese. (I used dried cilantro so I added it with rest.) If using fresh wait till you add the cheese. Heat to boiling and then reduce heat and simmer 10 -15 mins, stirring occasionally. Add cheese and cilantro, stir until cheese is melted and enjoy with some tortilla chips or a flour tortilla.

Fettucine Alfredo w/ Chicken

Fettucine

1 pound fettucine noodles

2 tbsp butter

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1 tsp salt

1 pinch black pepper

8 oz (I just did a few chicken breasts) cooked and diced

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 cups fresh or frozen sweet peas

Cook pasta according to directions, don't add salt or oil.

In large saucepan slice off 2 tbsp butter. Melt over medium heat. Add the full pint of cream and simmer. Once starts to simmer sprinkle the salt and simmer again for 2 minutes. Then add the black pepper and chicken. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese in and stir. Turn off heat and add in peas. Drain fettucine (reserve 1/2 cup of water). Then combine with sauce. Stirring and coating good. If it looks to thick add a little of reserved water.

Pumpkin Roll

Fall is in the air and it makes me start craving Pumpkin . Here is a yummy recipe from one of my mother in-laws.

Pumpkin Rolls

3/4 c Flour

1 c sugar

1 tsp ginger

3 eggs

1 tsp lemon juice

2/3 C pumpkin

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp cinnamon

dash of salt

Mix ingredients together. Pour on greased jelly roll pan. sprinkle with chopped walnuts on top. Bake at 375 for 15 mins. Remove from oven. Place on waxed paper covered with powdered sugar. Roll up with paper. Let cool 15 mins (can do the fridge). Unroll, spread with filling and roll up again. (You can freeze these to give out at a later time)

Filling

1 c powdered sugar

1/2 cube butter

6 oz. cream cheese

1/2 tsp vanilla.

Zucchini Carrot Cupcakes

I made these the other day hoping my anti veggie children would eat these. 3 out of 4 did. The other one just licked the frosting off. If you have a food pureer it's even better

1 c flour

1/4 c whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c canola oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup grated zucchini (about one small one)

1 c grated carrot

3/4 c chopped walnuts (opt)

Cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350 and line your cupcake pans 12 big (I did mini ones).

Combine flours, baking soda, powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In large bowl beat sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla for one minute.

Beat wet and dry ingredients until no traces of flour remain. Stir in zucchini, carrots and nuts.

Bake for 15mins or until done. Cool on rack and frost (or you can dust with powdered sugar)

Sausage Sandwich Squares

3 to 3 1/2 c flour

1 pkg active dry yeast

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/3 cups warm water

1 pound bulk italian sausage

1 sweet red pepper diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 lrg onion diced

1 cup chopped spinach

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 egg

1 tbsp water

2 tbsp parmesan cheese

2 tbsp parsley

1/2 tsp oregano

1/8 tsp garlic powder

In a bow, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Add warm water; mix well. Add enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surace; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 mins (I just turned on my mixer for about 4 mins.) Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise for about 50 mins. In skillet cook sausage and drain. Saute onions, peppers, and spinach. Press half of dough on bottom of jelly roll pan and sprinkle sausage mixture on top. Then spread cheese evenly over top. Roll out remaining down to fit pan; place over pan. In a small bowl beat egg and water. add remaining igredients and mix well. brush over dough. Cut slits in top. Bake at 400 for 20-25mins. (Can omit any of veggies you want) Yummy for breakfast also.