Sunday, December 22, 2013

Meatballs in Mushroom Sauce

I     LOVE     MUSHROOMS... Unfortunately for The All Star, he doesn't like them at all. I cook with them ANYWHERE I can, so it should go without saying that I would want to try this recipe when I found it!



Meatballs in Mushroom Sauce

The Line Up
Meatballs
1 lb ground beef (or 50/50 ground beef/ground pork)
2 TBSP sweet chili sauce
1/2 TBSP ground nutmeg
2 TBSP coarse mustard
1/2 tsp white pepper
6 TBSP breadcrumbs
1 TBSP milk (I used canned coconut milk for dairy free)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
butter (I used dairy free/safe butter)

Sauce
10 oz mushrooms
1 small onion
1 garlic clove
1 c beef broth
2 tsp yellow mustard
1/4-1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
tobasco to taste
1 TBSP cornstarch (mixed with 3 TBSP beef broth)
1 TBSP butter

The Game Plan
Mix meatball ingredients and shape into balls. Melt butter and brown meatballs. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside. 
Melt 2nd TBSP of butter in same skillet, add onions and sautè for a minute, then add mushrooms and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add a few drops of tobasco, the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, pepper and parsley, stir and cook for a minute.
Add beef broth, and return meatballs to skillet. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
Mix the constarch with 3 TBSP beef broth and pour it into the pan.
Let simmer for a few more minutes and taste to see if more seasoning is needed.

Coach's Post Game Conference
I followed the recipe as listed above (I believe) and served over egg noodles. We were very pleased with the flavor, except we thought the meatballs had too much nutmeg. I now wonder if I did more than 1/2 a TBSP (like maybe 2 TBSP)?? I will have to try it again soon. Regardless, these were great and the few left overs we had were eaten quickly (and happily) for lunch the next day!

Final Score
Coach - Triple (due to the nutmeg issue)
Catcher -  Triple 
The All-Star - Triple
The Rookie - ?? She ate them! 

Slow Cooker Meat Sauce

I've mentioned before that I've found a spaghetti sauce that we like enough to not have to buy canned sauce, but that doesn't mean I don't want to try to find something that might just as yummy as, or even BETTER than that one. So when I saw this one, to use in the crock pot, I decided to give it a try.


Slow Cooker Meat Sauce
Jelly Toast Blog

The Line Up
2 lbs ground Italian Sausage (I used sweet)
1 lb ground chuck
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, diced
2 bell peppers diced (I used one red, one green)
6 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
3 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1/2 c red wine
1 Parmesan rind (omit for dairy free)
1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 tsp fresh)
kosher salt
black pepper
1/4-1/2 crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)

The Game Plan
In a Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot set over medium/high heat, brown sausage and ground chuck. Remove from heat, drain excess fat, and transfer cooked sausage and beef to 6 qt slow cooker.
Return Dutch oven to stove. Heat oven oil over medium high heat. Add onions, peppers and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onions and peppers are soft and garlic is fragrent, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Transfer mixture to slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients to slow cooker and stir to combine.
Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Coach's Post Game Conference
As we are now dairy free, I left out the Parmesan rind, and didn't have red wine (I drink white!) in the house so I left that out also. Followed everything else as above.
I am usually skeptical of marinara sauces that have bell peppers visible in them as I don't care much for them. But this turned out great! We ate from it twice and have a gallon freezer bag of sauce in the freezer for later!

Final Score
Home Runs all the way around (even from the Rookie - remember, she LOVES all things pasta!)

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Sesame Noodles

I ran across this on Pinterest one day and thought it looked like it would work for lunch one day for The Rookie and myself. Not only was I right... but I was WAY RIGHT! We LOVE it, it's super easy, quick and YUMMY!! I don't make a full recipe for lunch, and have been known to heat up some frozen grilled chicken to throw in.


Sesame Noodles
Joysama

The Line Up
12 oz fluid, thin noodles, cooked and drained
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 TBSP sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBSP rice vinegar
3 TBSP sesame oil
1/2 tsp hot chili oil
4 TBSP canola oil
4 whole green onions, sliced thin



The Game Plan
Ok - the page I found the recipe on, doesn't tell you what to do it says "See full instructions on thepioneerwoman.com"... but I didn't look, I figured it was pretty self explanatory... cook the noodles, mix the rest of the ingredients and stir onto noodles.

Coach's Post Game Conference
As I mentioned, I don't make a full recipe when I make this for The Rookie and myself for lunch. I use regular spaghetti noodles and omit the canola oil, I think that the sesame oil is enough oil. I don't top with green onions, but frequently add sesame seeds on top for good measure.

Final Score
Coach - Home run
The Rookie - HOME RUN - she eats SO MUCH of this (she loves pasta of any kind) This dish is frequently served in response to her endless requests for "Ung-getti!"

Sausage & Potato Skillet

Need a quick, easy, flavorful meal?? Look no further! Here is is:


Sausage & Potato Skillet
Recipe.com

The Line Up
1/2 pound cooked smoked turkey sausage
3-4 TBSP olive oil or cooking oil
1 3/4 lbs unpeeled red-skinned potatoes - cut into quarters
2 medium onions - cut into thin wedges or chopped
1 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1 1/2-2 tsp cumin seed, slightly crushed
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

The Game Plan
Pour 3 TbSP oil into heavy skillet and heat. Cook potatoes and onions, uncovered, in oil until potatoes are nearly tender, stirring occasonally. Diagonally slice sausage 1/4" thick; add sausage to potato mixture. Add 1 TBSP oil if necessary to prevent sticking. Cook, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until potatoes and onions are tender and slightly brown, stirring often. Stir in thyme, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir and cook 1 minute more.

Coach's Post Game Conference
Seriously - what is there to say? The herbs added just enough extra flavor for it to not be bland.. I added a bit more salt than called for and some garlic powder for kicks.

The Final Score
Coach - Triple
Catcher - Triple
The All Star - Triple
The Rookie -  she liked the sausage

Honey Sesame Chicken

I've begun experimenting with"freezer meals."  You know the ones... you dump all the ingredients into a gallon freezer bag and stick it all in the freezer until you're ready to make it, then you pull it out and dump it in the crock pot the day you want it. VoilĂ  - meal done! I've been buying and prepping one of these weekly, building up a stash in our chest freezer for when life gets crazy hectic with two sports at once this spring. BUT - I couldn't wait to try this one, it smelled so good going into the bag.

Honey Sesame Chicken
Graciously Saved

The Line up
1 lb chicken tenders
3 TBSP olive oil
1 c honey
2 TBSP sesame seeds
1/2 c soy sauce
1 TBSP sesame oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

The Game Plan
Place all ingredients in freezer bag, toss to coat and freeze]
When ready, place in crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours
Remove chicken & Shred, then return to sauce


Coach's Post Game Conference
As you can see above, we didn't shred it. I didn't think it needed it. We served atop a combination of Pad Thai rice noodles and ramen noodles (mainly because I didn't realize we didn't have rice until it was time to MAKE the rice and I wasn't leaving the house - yup... LAZY)
The flavor was DELICIOUS - we will definitely be making this again - SEVERAL times through the spring!

Final Score
Coach - Home Run
Catcher - Home Run
The All- Star  - Home Run
The Rookie - Home Run

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Szechuan Noodles with Spicy Beef


Szechuan Noodles with Spicy Beef
Food.com

The Line Up
1 lb ground beef
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
1/2-1 1/2 tsp dry crushed red pepper (to taste and tolerance)
2 TBSP sesame oil
2 TBSP cornstarch
3/4 c beef broth
1/3 c hoisin sauce
2 TBSP soy sauce
8 oz cermicelli, cooked
1/2 c sliced green onion

The Game Plan
Brown ground beef in a large skillet, stirring until crumbled; drain and keep warm
Pour sesame oil in pan and heat. Saute onion and next 4 ingredients in hot sesame oil until tender
Combine cornstarch and beef broth, whisking until smooth.
Stir broth mixture, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce into onion mixture
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Stir in ground beef
Toss with hot pasta, and sprinkle with sliced green onions.

Coach's Post Game Conference
There really isn't much to say about this recipe. It's very simple and straight forward. It is tasty and makes everyone happy!

Final Score
Coach -  Home Run
Catcher - Home Run
The All-Star - Home Run
The Rookie - Home Run
 

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