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!

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! :) 

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!

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!

Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies!

Hello again! So it is time for something sweet. As I said last time I had family coming into town so I wanted to make something sweet to bring over to my parents house! I came up with these and they were such a hit!! The perfect combination of sweet and salty! Super easy! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
-3/4 cup of granulated sugar
-3/4 cup of packed brown sugar
-12 Tbsp of butter or 3/4 of a cup (softened)
-2 eggs
-2 tsp of vanilla
-2 1/4 cups of flour-(you can always add more if you think it looks sticky)
-1 tsp of baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon of salt
-1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
-2 cups broken pretzels

First thing you need to do is cream together your butter and sugars. Then add in your eggs, vanilla, baking soda and salt.

Next you need to gradually beat in your flour. This shouldn't be too hard just turn the mixer up a notch or two! Next crush your pretzels in a large Ziploc. I just used my fists, you want them to be broken into pieces but not smashed to smithereens! Now add in the chocolate chips and pretzels.

Now hand mix these in so you don't crush the pretzels anymore!

Drop onto no stick or parchment lined baking sheets. Use a tablespoon they don't expand too much.

Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes! Then devour them yourself before anyone else figures out how good they are! ;)

Crab Au Gratin

I know I know I am taking forever to get these posts up but its a big week! Tuesday was Matt's birthday and Sunday is mine but we are celebrating tomorrow because my brother and his fiance are coming in town!!

Anyways tonight Matt had kick ball so I decide to make Crab Au Gratin from a Cajun cook book my mom gave me! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 stick butter
1 medium onion
2 celery stalks
1 green pepper
4 Tbsp of flour
2 large egg yolks (whisked)
1 can carnation evaporated milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cans Lump Crab meat
1 jar sliced mushrooms
salt and pepper to taste
1 block sharp cheddar cheese

First chop up the onion, pepper and celery

Next add them to a skillet with the melted stick of butter. This is what the Cajun's call "the holy trinity". It is the basis for most Cajun dishes. Next add in the flour, milk and soup let it thicken for a minute or so then put on another burner and allow to cool for around 5 minutes.

After it cools add in the 2 egg yolks. Now you will stir in the the crab (drained)

As well as the salt and pepper, mushrooms and cheese. Save some of the cheese for the top.

Butter a quart casserole dish. Put gratin into dish and top with cheese. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake until brown on topped. Serve with crackers or crusty french bread.

I promise I will have another update ASAP!

Tortellini Bake

Sorry it has been so long since my last post I promise they will be closer. However, we took an impromptu trip to Tallahassee to watch the Aggies win a bid to the College World Series. While we were there we ate the best Cuban food ever so if you ever make it to Tallahassee go to Gordo's on Pensacola St. YUM!

So since its our first full day back I decided to do something super easy but very yummy my Tortellini Bake!

Ingredients
- 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil
- 1/2 onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 8 slices of pepperoni
- 8 slices of Genoa salami
- 1/4 cup of Philadelphia Cooking Creme Italian and Herbs
- 1 package fresh or frozen tortellini ( I prefer the bertolli four cheese)
- 1/2 cup of pasta sauce of your choice
-3/4 cup of Mozzarella

First go ahead and boil your tortellini and set it aside while your prep everything else. Also preheat the oven  to 350 degrees.

Next you need to put the olive oil into your skillet and get it hot. Then go ahead and mince your onion and garlic and throw it in the skillet.

Next slice up the pepperoni and salami I usually cut it into strips and then squares.

Add the salami and pepperoni to the skillet and allow it to simmer. Next add the Philadelphia cooking creme! I love this stuff so versatile when cooking Italian dishes!

After adding the creme go ahead and add your pasta sauce and about a 1/4 of the mozzarella grated.

Now it looks somewhat like a rose sauce. Now take the tortellini and mix it into the sauce and put into an 8x8 baking dish. Add the rest of your grated mozzarella over the top and bake for 10-15 minutes. Now you have a delicious easy dish! You can put anything you want into this from grilled chicken, sausage or veggies! Make it your own!

My first Post

Well I finally followed through and decided to start the food blog that I have been talking about doing forever! Lately I have started cooking a lot more and not going by recipes so the things that have come out well I decided to blog about!
First up is Creamy Black Bean Soup. This was super easy and really delicious! It makes a lot so its something you could make on a Sunday or Monday and have again later in the week! I hope you enjoy!

Recipe:
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
3 cans of Bushes Black Beans (drained)
2 cups of chicken broth/stock-whichever you have is fine
1 can of Rotel (I prefer it with the lime juice and cilantro)
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 tablespoon of cumin
1 avocado
sour cream
grated white cheddar

First go ahead and get your garlic and onion chopped. Put it in a skillet with the olive oil. Simmer for about 5-6 minutes.

In a pot put the 3 cans of drained beans, the chicken broth and the rotel. Heat over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.

You will need to blend the beans in batches adding a small amount of the onion and garlic mixture to each.Once all is blended put it back into soup pot and heat on medium for about 5-10 minutes.

Garnish with avocado slices, sour cream and cheese! DELICIOUS! Very healthy with a large amount of protein!

Let me know what you guys think! Feedback is awesome!