Thursday, July 21, 2011

Meatballs!

It has been a week! We have Matt's sisters staying with us tonight so I thought I would do something quick like....spaghetti and meatballs!

This was my first time making them and I thought they turned out pretty well! It's really simple and something nice to throw in with plain old spaghetti!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef (or turkey if you prefer)
3/4-1 cup Italian bread crumbs
tsp oregano
tsp Italian seasoning
tsp onion powder
tsp garlic powder
dash of Worcestershire sauce
olive oil
parsley

First mash your meat down into a bowl and sprinkle with oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic, onion and Worcestershire sauce.
Next mix in your bread crumbs and make sure you mix it in really good!

Now shape it into golf size shaped balls. Put on a baking sheet. If you aren't using a non stick spray some Pam or use parchment paper.

Sprinkle with olive oil and parsley over each one! Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Turn in the middle if you don't want the bottom to get crisp! Mix into your favorite sauce and bon appetite!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Mom's Famous Stuffed Mushroom!

Hello again! I know LONG time since I posted last! So sorry! We are getting things ready for my brothers wedding in September so I have been taking care of somethings.

My grandma is in town from Boston for my brothers wedding shower so we had dinner with her last night! I cannot wait to get her recipe for clam chowder!

Anyways, a lot of nights when I am alone because Matt is off playing softball, kickball or tennis lol I make my moms stuffed mushroom for myself. Now usually we wouldn't eat this unless it was Christmas Eve but it is my favorite. She makes it better than me but I try!

Now I know it sounds complicated but it really isn't hard at all! I hope you enjoy! THANKS MOM!

Ingredients:

1 pound of mushroom
1/2 stick of butter
1 egg slightly beaten
1 small onion
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (I use dried)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
Parmesan cheese

First things first you need to pull the stems out of the mushroom CAREFULLY! Don't yank because you will leave most of the stem inside and have no room to stuff it! TWISTING is the key!

Next you need to finely chop the stems because they will be a part of your stuffing. Next chop your onion pretty finely as well! Add to the skillet with the butter!

Let the stems and onion saute to for about 5 minutes. Next is usually crack my egg in a small bowl or a measuring cup and beat it. We do this so it doesn't begin to fry when you drop it in the skillet! I usually beat it and then add the wine to the same cup! 
Next you will add the egg/wine to the skillet and stir quickly. Then add the parsley and bread crumbs. Stir together and add in salt and pepper! 
Now you are ready to start stuffing! Using a spoon add to each mushroom making a small mound on top. Then you need to sprinkle each one with Parmesan cheese and top with a small square of butter.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees and bake for 15 minutes. DELICIOUS! Let me know what you think! Have a wonderful weekend! :) 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Easy and Delicious Stromboli

I cannot believe it is already Wednesday! This week is going quickly! Apparently I have been living in hole because my mom called to make sure I was alive lol. I am just cleaned the whole apartment yesterday and been baking today :) Busy girl!

Anywho this is a recipe I made up last year during football season and it is now a family favorite. It's a simple version of what you could consider Stromboli. I make it on week nights when I want something quick or I make it for parties when I want something that looks complicated ;)


I hope you all will enjoy this as much as my family and I do!

Ingredients:

- 1 package of seamless Pillsbury sheets (you can use crescent rolls you just have to press them together)
- Garlic powder
- Dried Basil
- Italian seasoning
- 6 slices deli pepperoni
- 6 slices of Genoa salami (both meats you can find pre packaged next to the deli)
- block of mozzarella cheese
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt


First press the dough out flat and stretch it as far as it will go. Next sprinkle with garlic, basil and Italian seasoning. I usually cover it pretty well.

Next you want to cut the slices into strips lengthwise. I usually do the pepperoni first and then the salami. Then place in anyway you want. I use to do a pretty pattern....now it looks like this :)
Now you will cut up the mozzarella and put it on. I do pretty good size chunks but not too big that they will tear through the dough when you roll it. I try to place it in spots I can still see the dough so it all sticks together good.
Now we roll. Carefully! I usually don't have any problem with it tearing especially if your using the seamless dough sheets. When you finishing rolling make sure you secure the seam and put it as the bottom touching the cookie sheet.

Now coat the top with olive oil so that it gets a nice brown top when it bakes. Then sprinkle with salt to add a little flavor. Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15-17 minutes.

This is your end product! Isn't it pretty! Look at the gooey cheese! Slice and enjoy! I recommend a very sharp knife it will be easier to slice neatly!
Give me some feedback guys let me know what your thinking!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Beer Soaked Pretzel Crusted Chicken!!

Hello hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day! Yesterday Matt and I played it low key like it was a Sunday you know laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping! My brain was ticking yesterday about what I wanted to cook for dinner so I came up with Beer Soaked Pretzel Crusted Chicken! YUM! Here is the recipe I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 eggs
- tablespoon of peanut butter (slightly melted)
- 1 beer of your choice (I always use seasonal beer in my cooking Sam Adams Summer Ale or Saint Arnold)
- teaspoon of paprika
-tablespoon of honey
-1-2 tablespoons of garlic powder
- teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- tablespoon of season salt
- teaspoon of pepper
- tablespoon of onion powder
- half a bag of pretzels (I prefer twists but sticks would work as well)

First things first poke your chicken breasts a few times with a fork and put them into a bowl with 3/4 a bottle of beer. You will need 1/4 of it later. Let them sit for about 20 minutes.
In a separate bowl you need to put the eggs, honey, rest of the beer, peanut butter, paprika and sprinkle of garlic powder. Beat together until smooth.

I another bowl add pretzels (crush in Ziploc to avoid mess and hurt hands :) ), garlic powder, season salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper and black pepper. You want to make sure pretzels are crushed small enough to stick to the chicken.

Now 1 by 1 you will add the chicken to the egg and beer mixture then roll into bowl with pretzels. Make sure you cover them all liberally. Place in 13x9 pan that has been sprayed with Pam or greased with butter. After you cover all four breasts, distribute the remaining mixture of spices and pretzels over them in the baking dish.

Pre-heat oven to 375 and bake for 35-40 minutes depending on how big your breasts are.

Put on a plate and devour. This has been one of my favorite recipes I have made so far! Tonight...Stromboli so stay tuned!