Tourtiere

4 pounds ground pork butts 

1 ½ cups water 

1 medium onion, ground or finely chopped 

2 tsp salt 

1 to 2 tsp cinnamon, start low and adjust to taste 

1 to 1.5 tsp cloves, start low and adjust to taste 

1 cup bread crumbs 

Your favorite pie crust 

Put meat in large pot.  Break it up and add water. Mix in onions and salt. Adjust heat to keep meat cooking at a low boil; stir at intervals to keep from scorching.  Add more water if necessary. Cook with cover on for about 45 minutes, adding the spices halfway through. 

Near the end of cooking time, add the bread crumbs.  Adjust the amount of crumbs according to the amount of fat.  The mixture shouldn’t become too dry. 

This amount makes filling for 2 large pies or 9-11 small ones.   Fill uncooked pie crusts.  Top with either a second crust or mashed potatoes. May freeze at this point. 

Bake at 350° for 45 minutes 

Note: this is Grant’s great-great grandmother’s recipe 

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

 1/2 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms1 small onion, halved and sliced

1 beef top sirloin steak (1 pound), cubed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/3 cup dry red wine or beef broth

2 cups beef broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup cold water

Hot cooked mashed potatoes

1. Place mushrooms and onion in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat; brown meat in batches, adding more oil as needed. Transfer meat to slow cooker.

2. Add wine to skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Stir in broth and Worcestershire sauce; pour over meat. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.

3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth; gradually stir into slow cooker. Cook, covered, on high until gravy is thickened, 15-30 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.

NOTES:

Easy and yummy!

I used a cheaper cut of beef roast and cremini mushrooms.

The red wine and Worcestershire sauce are essential flavors.

May not need the added salt so maybe wait until the end to see.

We ate it over spaetzel, but potatoes or rice would both be great.

Seven Layer Cookies

Easier than they look, and very festive!  

My few notes:

• Emily has an easy homemade almond paste recipe
• These would be great tea cakes (especially in theme colors)
• It's January 21 and I still have some in the freezer (an uncut slab) and they're still perfect.

Recipe and notes from Smitten Kitchen:

I have so many extra hints/notes on these, I’ve moved them to the bottom. Read on!

Makes about 5 dozen cookies (or more, if you cut them as small as I did)

Time: These take at least 11 hours from beginning to end, most of it inactive, but make sure you have a good 2 to 3 hour window

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 (8-ounce or 225-gram) can almond paste
• 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces, 285 grams, or 2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) almond extract
• 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 25 drops red food coloring
• 25 drops green food coloring
• 1 (12-ounce or 340-gram) jar apricot preserves, heated and strained
• 7 ounces (200 grams) bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 13- by 9-inch baking pan and line bottom with wax paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 ends, then butter paper.

Beat whites in mixer fitted with whisk attachment at medium-high speed until they just hold stiff peaks. Add 1/4 cup sugar a little at a time, beating at high speed until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks. Transfer to another bowl.

Switch to paddle attachment, then beat together almond paste and remaining 3/4 cup sugar until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add butter and beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add yolks and almond extract and beat until combined well, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and salt and mix until just combined.

Fold half of egg white mixture into almond mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.

Divide batter among 3 bowls. Stir red food coloring into one and green food coloring into another, leaving the third batch plain. Set white batter aside. Chill green batter, covered. Pour red batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with offset spatula (layer will be about 1/4 inch thick).

Bake red layer 8 to 10 minutes, until just set. (It is important to undercook. They’ll look like they’re not done, but a tester does come out clean.)

Using paper overhang, transfer layer to a rack to cool, about 15 minutes. Clean pan, then line with parchment or wax paper and butter paper in same manner as above. Bake white layer in prepared pan until just set. As white layer bakes, bring green batter to room temperature. Transfer white layer to a rack. Prepare pan as above, then bake green layer in same manner as before. Transfer to a rack to cool.

When all layers are cool, invert green onto a parchment or wax-paper-lined large baking sheet. Discard paper from layer and spread with half of preserves. Invert white on top of green layer, discarding paper. Spread with remaining preserves. Invert red layer on top of white layer and discard wax or parchment paper.

Cover with plastic wrap and weight with a large baking pan. Chill at least 8 hours.

Remove weight and plastic wrap. Bring layers to room temperature. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Keep chocolate over water. (Alternately, you can do what I did: melt the chocolate 3.5 ounces at a time just to make sure it doesn’t seize up between steps, though that shouldn’t be a problem if you only let it set for 15.)

Trim edges of assembled layers with a long serrated knife. Quickly spread half of chocolate in a thin layer on top of cake. Chill, uncovered, until chocolate is firm, about 15 minutes. Cover with another sheet of wax paper and place another baking sheet on top, then invert cake onto sheet and remove paper. Quickly spread with remaining chocolate. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

Cut lengthwise into 4 strips (I cut them into more, because I wanted them 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide, as I remember them). Cut strips crosswise into 3/4-inch-wide cookies.

Do ahead: Cookies keep, layered between sheets of wax paper or parchment, in an airtight container at room temperature 2 weeks. They’ll keep even longer in the freezer.

Three important notes:

I struggled with three things in this recipe (the first two were mistakes, and both came back to bite me in the tuchus) so you won’t have to:

1. Don’t stack cooled cakes: Once my first two cake layers were cool (and still on their parchment liners) and I needed to make room on the cooling rack for the third one, I went ahead and stacked them, their liners between them. DON’T DO THIS. Not because they crush each other (they won’t) or because they’ll stick (they don’t) but because that paper liner is greased on both sides from baking and the chocolate shell never quite stuck right to the pink cake because of the grease accidentally left on it. I can’t tell you how many cookies were rejected because their chocolate fell off. It is too sad to discuss.

2. Be careful dividing your jam: I mindlessly divided the jam wrong/unevenly and ended up with too much between one layer and too little between another. Too little was no biggie, but where there was too much it oozed out and was particularly difficult to keep stacked when sawing through with a serrated knife. So, if you’re using a scale to make two six-ounce divisions of jam, remember that you’ve probably strained out a good ounce or so of jam solids, or in other words DUH. Your divided amounts will be less than six ounces each.

3. They’re easier to cut when frozen: Nevertheless, they tasted amazingly and I was all ready to do a victory lap around my wee kitchen counter, however, when I got to cutting them up and then it all went south. People, these were trying to cut. The problem lies within the differing textures of the layers — the top hard chocolate shell more benefits from a sharp serrated knife (a regular, even very sharp knife will crack the edges when you press down on it), the same serrated knife that gets gummed with jam and tries to pull the soft cake layers in between apart. It was exasperating. It didn’t go well. I packed up some for a party and stuffed the rest in the freezer, only to discover the next day that these cut fantastically when frozen. Seriously. Trust me. I have the gummy floor and gray hairs to prove it.

Very Easy Tortellini Bake

2 lbs. italian sausage, cooked, crumbled, and cooled

4 lbs. frozen cheese tortellini

3 jars marinara sauce(or an equivalent of nice homemade sauce)

6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

In a very large bowl, stir together sausage, tortellini, sauce, and half of the cheese.  Divide into 3 disposable 1/3 steam table pans or 4 - 8"x8" pans and top with remaining cheese.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until warm and bubble.  Freezes well unbaked.

*Hardly a recipe, mostly just proportions for future reference.

Creamy Ranch Chicken Pasta

2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 ounces)
One 1-ounce package ranch-dressing seasoning mix
1 pound penne pasta
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons sour cream, at room temperature
1/4 cup sharp yellow Cheddar, shredded

THE OFFICIAL DIRECTIONS

• Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and sprinkle all over with 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix.
• Add the penne to the 6-quart Instant Pot® and add 4 cups water to the pot. Place the chicken thighs on top of the penne. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick- release and wait until the quick-release cycle is complete. Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board until cool enough to handle.  
• Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, Cheddar and remaining seasoning mix (about 2 tablespoons) in a large bowl. Set aside.  
• Roughly chop the chicken into small pieces while it is still warm. Add the chicken to the cream-cheese mixture and stir to combine. Add the chicken and cheese mixture to the pasta and stir until the cheese mixture melts and the pasta is well coated.

WHAT I REALLY DID

• Dump the chicken into the instant pot and pour the whole packet of ranch dressing mix on top and a little water on the bottom - maybe a half cup.
• Cook in the instant pot for 8 minutes on high.
• Mix the dairy products together along with the cooked and cut up chicken.
• Pour in another packet of dressing mix into all that because you are doubling the recipe to give half to Jen and Jonah and didn't read the instructions well enough to notice that the seasoning mix needs to be divided.

At this point I just divided it into two tupperwares and called it make-ahead meals for our two families.  When I reheated mine, I added some milk to the skillet because it was pretty thick.

I served it over rice and it was delish.

The key here (Klejeski children) is that it tastes like Chicken Packets only without the crescent roll outside.  It would definitely work for that recipe though.  Good memories!

Gin and Tonic Sorbet

310g sugar 
310g water 
8 tbsp gin 
375 ml tonic water 
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 egg white

Put the sugar and water into a saucepan and stir over a medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved, remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.

Add the gin, tonic, the lime juice and the zest. Stir and taste and add more lime juice if you think it needs it. Chill in the fridge.

Then either churn it for 15 minutes or still-freeze it by pouring it into a food-safe plastic box and putting it in the coldest part of your freezer for an hour to an hour and a half until it forms a slush when you beat it.

At this point, beat the egg white with a fork to loosen it and combine it with the sorbet mix. Then either churn for another 10 minutes until it’s slushy, or if using the still-freeze method, repeat the freeze-and-beat step twice more at 30-60 minute intervals.

Pour into a container and freeze.

Beer Chicken Marinade

• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped onion(reconstituted from dried works)
• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1½ cups beer(we used Dos Equis, anything light would work well)
• 4 pounds of raw chicken

Combine everything except for the beer and chicken in a large measuring cup, slowly add the beer.  Put the chicken into a zip top bag and slowly pour in the marinade.  Seal the bag and let rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but overnight is better.

Note:  This marinade also freezes well with chicken, if you don't need 4 pounds at a time, just omit the parsley until you thaw the chicken.

Best Zucchini Bread

 The zucchini bread recipe in the red Cook's Illustrated book is simply the best.  This one is virtually identical (the only difference is that it shreds the zucchini in the food processor instead of by hand).

Crockpot Meatloaf

6oz garlic-flavored croutons
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
3 whole cloves of garlic
1/2 red bell pepper
36 oz ground meat(see note)
1-1/2 tsp salt
1 egg

Glaze
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp cumin
Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
Dash of Tabasco
1 tbsp honey


Combine croutons and spices in the bowl of a food processor, pulse until you have fine crumbs, place mixture in a large bowl.  Combine onion, carrot, garlic, and bell pepper in the food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Combine the veggies with the crumbs, meat, salt, and egg; mix until just combined.

Stir together glaze ingredients.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, form the meat mixture into a loaf shape.  At this point you can either bake it or freeze it for later.

Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes, brush on the glaze then return to the oven and continue baking until it reaches an internal temperature of 155 degrees.

Freeze until frozen solidly and then wrap in freezer paper until ready to use.

To cook in the crockpot, slice 1-2 potatoes into 1/2 inch thick slices and place in a single layer on the bottom of your crockpot.  Place a frozen meatloaf on top of them and brush the top with the glaze.  Cook on low for ~6 hours.

Based on Good Eats Meatloaf from Alton Brown

Note: Alton calls for half ground chuck and half ground sirloin.  I prefer the texture of half beef and half turkey or pork.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
2 cups chicken stock
1 1/4 cup (or 1 10-ounce can) red enchilada sauce
2 (14-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 (15-ounce) can whole-kernel corn, drained
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 white onion, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt, or more/less to taste
optional garnishes: chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado, diced red onion, shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips/chips

DIRECTIONS:

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker, and stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 hours on high heat or 6-8 hours on low heat, until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily. Use two forks to shred the chicken.

Serve warm, with optional garnishes.

You can also refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Or freeze it for up to 3 months.

NOTES:

• I particularly liked the part of the method that had me cook the whole chicken breast and then shred it toward the end.  I simply scooped them out into a bowl to cool a little and they fell apart as I was cutting across the grain.  It was much simpler than trying to cut up the raw meat.
• I used a bigger can of diced tomatoes because that's what I had on hand.
• The original recipe called for a different kind of tomato, but regular ones worked just fine.
• Fwiw, this is gluten free if you're careful on what enchilada sauce is added.

Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

12 oz pkg sausage, cut into ¼ in piece
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can Italian diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag, zip close & place in freezer. When ready to use thaw in fridge overnight. Empty contents into crock-pot and cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve over rice.

NOTES:

• Sorry, but I didn't get a photo on this one.
• I'm intrigued by the idea of freeze-ahead meals for the crockpot and decided to start here.  I'll post my findings as I try more.
• I didn't use the red pepper (just extra green) - too expensive at this time of year.
• I used Johnsonville Brats, and they were good, but it would probably be better with Italian sausage.
• Also, I started with room temperature ingredients and cooked it on low for about 7 hours.  This was definitely more time than it needed.
• It would be very easy to extend with a larger can of tomatoes or more sausage.
• It was good.  I'd make it again.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

First of all, Molly's version:

Ingredients
1 medium onion
2 Tbsp butter
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans tomato soup
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 8 oz package cream cheese, cubed
Directions:
Saute onions in butter. Stir in tomatoes, soup, milk, and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer ten minutes. Stir in cheese until melted (or "melty").

I was making it for a group so I needed a bigger batch and I had some random, related things on hand so this is what I did:

• 2 (on the small side of) medium onions, chopped 
• Saute in some butter
• 1 carton of Aldi's Roasted Red Pepper Tomato soup
• a bunch of leaves from my basil plant
• 16 ounces of softened cream cheese

Puree it all with an immersion blender, heat, then add:

• 2 tsp. paprika
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 28 ounce cans of petite diced tomatoes

Heat and serve with buttery croutons.

It was a hit with the Core Team!

Apologies for the terrible picture.  It tastes much better than this makes it look.

Pumpkin Ravioli

Pasta

• 2 c flour
• 3 eggs (or 2 eggs and 2 yolks, if rollling by hand)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 T olive oil

Filling

• 1 c pumpkin puree
• 1 c grated Parmesan (grated on a Microplane)
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼–½ c bread crumbs
• salt to taste

Sauce

• 4 T butter
• 1 small shallot, finely minced
• 2 tsp. fresh sage

Place flour on countertop, create a large well in the middle. Add the other ingredients to the well and beat with a fork, slowly incorporating flour. Knead until smooth and well-combined, and shape into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest on counter, 15 minutes if rolling by machine, and 1–4 hours if rolling by hand.

For filling, combine pumpkin, cheese, egg, and nutmeg. Add bread crumbs a couple tablespoons at a time, until mixture is thick enough to stand in coherent spoonfuls.

To shape pasta, divide into six pieces and roll out, on an unfloured surface, one at a time to approximately 6"x18", and see-through, about 1/32" thick. (If rolling by hand, alternate rolling and stretching for best results.) Place four or five scant tablespoons along one side of the sheet, a couple of inches apart, and trace around each with a fingertip dipped in water. Fold the sheet in half, cut in between the scoops of filling, and press edges around each to seal.

To make sauce, melt butter over medium heat in a shallow pan or skillet, until it just begins to brown (it's easiest to see this in a light colored pan. Add shallot and cook until softened (butter will continue to brown). Remove from heat, add sage and set aside while pasta cooks.

Cook pasta four or six at a time in boiling salted water for about 5 minutes. Toss with sauce and serve immediately with plenty of extra Parmesan. 

Notes: I ended up with 24 ravioli, with about 1/3 of the filling left over. I think if I were using a pasta machine, I would have been able to get the pasta rolled thinner, and probably used all the filling on 36 ravioli. 

To freeze, place uncooked ravioli on a baking rack for half an hour or so, until surface is slightly dry. Freeze with parchment or wax paper between layers.

Everyone loved these, including Linus. It was a great Friday dinner.

Peaches and Cream French Toast

1/2 c butter
1 c brown sugar
2 tbsp reserved juice from canned peaches
1 29 oz can of peaches, drained
1 French baguette, cubed
8 oz cream cheese, cut into small pieces
12 eggs
1 1/2 c half-n-half
1 tsp vanilla

Heat butter, sugar and peach juice in saucepan until bubbly.  Pour into a 13x9 inch casserole dish.  Scatter peach slices over caramel sauce.  Top with bread cubes then pieces of cream cheese.  Place eggs, half-n-half, and vanilla in blender; blend to combine.  Pour egg mixture over bread and cream cheese.  Cover and refrigerate at least an hour but preferably overnight.  Bake, uncovered, in 350F oven for 50-60 minutes.

NOTES:

• I made a 1/2 batch in a smaller baking dish and it was just right for 5.
• I had some leftover croissants that I used instead of a baguette.  Worked well.
• I cut up the peaches so they would distribute better.
• Very good - not as sweet as expected.  Would definitely make it again.
• Source.

Easy Quinoa

aka: Keen-Wow!

1 tbls. butter
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups chicken broth
2 tsp. chopped garlic
1 tbls. dried parsley
1/4 tbls. dried thyme (estimated)
1 dash lemon juice

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the quinoa, and toast, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until quinoa is tender.
2. In a bowl, toss quinoa together with garlic, parsley, and thyme. Sprinkle with lemon juice, and serve.

NOTES: 

• The original recipe is here.
• Browning it in the butter first gave it a bit of a rice-a-roni quality that we all liked.  Really, if there were no other seasoning besides this and the broth, it would've been good.
• I think this would freeze really well and will probably double the quantity I make next time for that purpose.
• The original recipe called for vegetarian broth and while our crunchy score would've spiked by using it, I happened to have a carton of Aldi chicken broth around so that's what we used.
• This was really, really good.  I'll definitely be looking for this product for a better price.
• Thanks to Holly for the suggestion to try it and thanks to Jen for the subtitle. ;-)

Cranberry Walnut Rum Bread

1 cup mashed very ripe banana (2 - 3 bananas)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup golden rum
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/4 cup flaxmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
a pinch of cardamom
1 to 1-1/2 cups picked-over fresh or frozen cranberries (chopped)
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
For the glaze:
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 - 3 teaspoons of rum
Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

• In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas and mix in the sugar, rum, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir till it's all mixed up well.
• Add the flours, flaxmeal, baking powder, salt, baking soda, spices, cranberries and nuts, reserving a tablespoon or two of the walnuts for the top of the bread. Stir until the batter is mixed well and there are no pockets of flour anywhere.
• Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray, then pour the batter in and smooth it out with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with the reserved walnuts.
• Bake at 350 for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until a wooden pick or knife inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. (Mine took about an hour and 30 minutes to cook through.)
• When the bread is done and has cooled off a bit, mix up the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar with the rum till smooth. The glaze should be very thin. Drizzle the glaze over the bread, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes, then slice the bread and enjoy!

NOTES: The bananas made this a very moist bread.  I'd definitely make it again!

SOURCE: Grandmabelle's Pinterest page and this.

PW's Spaghetti Sauce

5 pounds Ground Beef (I Used Ground Round)
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 whole Large Yellow Onions, Diced
2 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
6 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 cup White Wine (or Low Sodium Beef Broth If You Prefer)
2 cans 28 Ounce Crushed Tomatoes
1 can (14 Ounce) Crushed Tomatoes
1 can (small, 4-ounce) Tomato Paste
1 jar Good Storebought Marinara Sauce (can Use Another Jar If You Like The Sauce To Be More Saucy Than Meaty)
1 teaspoon Ground Oregano
1 teaspoon Ground Thyme
4 whole Bay Leaves
2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper (optional)
1/4 cup Finely Minced Fresh Parsley (or 3 Tablespoons Parsley Flakes), More To Taste

Preparation Instructions (From PW)"

• IMPORTANT: This recipe can easily be halved! I just like to make a ton so I can freeze it.
• In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until totally browned. Remove meat from pot with a slotted spoon and put into a bowl. Set aside.
• Discard any grease in pot, but do not clean the pot. Drizzle in olive oil. When it is heated, throw in the diced onion and diced bell pepper. Stir it around for 1 1/2 minutes, then add the garlic. Stir and cook for an additional minute.
• Pour in the wine and allow it to bubble up and reduce for about 1 1/2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and marinara sauce. Stir to combine, then add oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper (if using). Stir, then add cooked ground beef and stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or some low-sodium broth if it needs more liquid
• After an hour, add the minced parsley and the rind from a wedge of Parmesan (or grated Parmesan if you prefer--or both!) Stir to combine, then put the lid back on and allow it to simmer for another 30 minutes or so. Discard bay leaves before serving.

NOTES (From me):

• I didn't follow the instructions religiously, but this was possibly the best spaghetti sauce I've ever made.  The meat to sauce ratio was really good.
• I ended up using more tomato products (3-28 ounce cans of tomatoes and 2 jars of sauce)
• I didn't have the Parmesan rind, but yum!
• I made a full batch and now have six meals in the freezer plus the one we ate last night.  :)  (3 cups in each.)
• Link to original.

Mushroom-Cheddar Quiche

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup chopped onion; about 1 medium onion

8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced

3 large cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme; use more or less to taste

1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

8 large eggs

½ cup milk

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

One 9" pie crust.

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Heat the butter.
• Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms start to lose their juices, about 10 minutes.
• Mix in the garlic, thyme, ½ teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper. Stir to combine; remove from the heat.
• Combine the eggs, milk, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
• Line the bottom of the crust with the cheese, top with the mushrooms, and pour in the egg mixture.
• Bake the quiche for 35 to 40 minutes, until the edge of the crust is brown, and the filling appears set.
• Remove the quiche from the oven, and serve warm.

Fresh cookies

It worked! Last time I made cookie dough I immediately put half of it in the freezer and only baked a reasonable number of cookies for three people. I just pulled it out (maybe 4-6 weeks later) and it baked up just like new.

Not only are we not tempted to overeat, but we get fresh cookies twice with only one mess.

(And if anyone knows of a good product to clean aluminum pans, looks like I could use it.)

Country Brunch

16 slices firm white bread

2 1/2 c cubed, cooked ham

1 lb. shredded cheddar cheese

1 lb. shredded mozzarella

6 eggs

3 c milk

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/4 tsp onion powder

Trim the crust from bread and cut the slices in half. Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Layer with half the bread, half the ham, and half the cheese; repeat layers. Combine the remaining ingredients. Pour over mixture and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.

TOPPING:

3 cups cornflakes

1/2 c melted butter

Combine and sprinkle over eggs. Cover loosely with foil. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

NOTES:

• I'm just amazed at how well raw egg dishes work for freezer meals!
• I divided this recipe in half and put each in one of my 11 cup Pyrex dishes.
• I happened to have some leftover hamburger buns that fit just right for the bread requirement. I sliced each in fourths so they were about the thickness of a slice of bread and just left the crusts on. It worked just fine.
• I didn't bother with the topping because I rarely have corn flakes, but if you wanted to do that, just freeze the egg part and then slip your zip loc of topping in the dish when it's all solid. Sprinkle it on before thawing and baking.
• We ate one dish and I froze the other for another day.