Corned Beef...

...for St. Patricks day. Use the recipe and tips on the back of the package of corned beef.

Balsamic Chicken

5-6 Chicken breasts, cut in 1/2 lengthwise

3 tsp rosemary
3 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Place chicken in a 9x13 pan.

Mix rosmary, garlic, salt and pepper with olive oil to make a paste.  Rub onto chicken.  Pour desired amount of balsamic vinegar over the chicken.  Cover pan with foil and bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.  Turn and bake 20 more minutes.

Serve with rice and a salad.

VLS

Mac and Cheese

CAN BE MADE GLUTEN FREE!  :-)
16 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni (I used gluten free corn Fusilli)
2 C grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
3 C milk
1/4 C butter
2 1/2 T flour (I used GFM almond blend flour)
1 tsp. minced garlic
Paprika
Parsley

Cook noodles according to package directions.  Drain.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Stir in flour to thicken.  Add milk slowly, stirring constantly.  Stir in cheeses and garlic and cook over low heat until cheese is melted.  Put noodles in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over.  Stir.  Sprinkle paprika and parsley over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serve with a salad for a great meatless dinner.
~VLS

Fried Burritos

Serves 5-6

2 chicken breast pieces, boiled and cubed
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained
2 C cooked rice
Diced onion
Grated cheese
Cilantro

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Place small amounts of desired ingredients in center of flour tortilla.  Fold in sides, then top and bottom of tortilla forming a square.  Put the folded side down into the pan.  When bottom is brown and crispy, flip over.

Toppings include: sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, and chopped tomatoes.

Variations:

Use beef and taco seasoning instead of chicken.
Use 2 small corn tortillas with ingredients in the middle for a gluten free dinner!

~VLS

Corn Chowder

About 5-6 servings
Easy to double

1/2 # bacon, cut into 1 in. pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 T flour
4 cups milk
1 can creamed corn
2-3 potatoes, cubed
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Fry bacon pieces. Remove bacon, and reserve 4 T drippings. Saute onion and celery in drippings. Remove from heat and stir in flour. Pour in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium or lower; add bacon and all other ingredients. Stir often to prevent scorching. Cook until potatoes are soft.

~V.L.S.

Mommarie's Stroganoff

This is a very easy and tasty recipe. Great for beginners, and "professionals"

For 1 LB of Meat: (Steak (from leftovers), Beef or Pork)

Add flour to browned meat (2 TB Tablespoons for every Cup of milk)

3 C Milk

1 1/4 C Sour Cream

add 25 shakes of No-salt (or to taste) (you can get No-salt seasoning at Costco)

Parsley (to taste)

Salt and Pepper (also to taste)

Serve over rice.

Enjoy

~KJV~

Manicotti

3 C spaghetti sauce
1 box manicotti noodles
3 C ricotta cheese
2 C mozzarella cheese
1/2 C Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 T parsley
3/4 tsp. oregano

  Boil noodles for 8 minutes and drain.  Grease a 9x13 pan.  Spread layer of spaghetti sauce in bottom of pan.  Stuff shells with cheese mix; cover with remaining sauce.  Bake, covered with foil, at 375 degrees for 30 minutes; uncover and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until bubbly throughout.  Then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Put back in oven until cheese melts.

Facts About Herbs

From: "The Backyard Homestead".

• Dried herbs are more potent than fresh--1tsp dried equals 1TB fresh.
• To store fresh herbs, wrap them in barely damp paper towels, place inside resealable plastic bags, and keep refrigerated.
• Add most herbs about 30 Minutes before the end of cooking time; simmer slowly to release flavor and retain volatile oils.
• The chopped leaves of fresh herbs may be frozen with water into ice cubes and then stored in labeled, airtight freezer bags. Use to impart an herbal flavor to soups or stews.
• Use herbs in moderation. Some may be overpowering if too much is used.

~KJV~

Baked Gemelli with Pesto, Mozzarella and Meat Sauce

Serves 6-8
~
16 oz. Gemelli or other pasta (spiral, macaroni, shells)
1 T cooking oil
1 onion, chopped
1 lb. ground beef
1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C pesto sauce
1 1/2 C mozzarella cheese, grated
1/4 C Parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Oil a 9x13 baking dish.  Cook onion in oil for about 3 minutes.  Add ground beef, cook and drain.  Add the tomatoes and salt and bring to a simmer.  Cook until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes.  Remove pan from heat and stir in pesto sauce.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.  Toss with the meat sauce.  Put half the pasta in the baking dish.  Top with half of the mozzarella and 2 T of the Parmesan.  Repeat with the remaining pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.  Bake until bubbling, about 15 minutes.

~VLS

-Sweet 'N' Sour Sauce, for Meatballs-

This recipe is very easy, and very tasty! I will post the meatballs with this later...

-Sauce-

1/2 C Packed brown sugar

2 TB Cornstarch (may need 1/2 tsp more)

1/3 C Vinegar

1 TB Soy Sauce

1 Can 13 1/4 oz. Pinapple Chunks, UNDRAINED

1 Can Mandrain Oranges (optional)

2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

Sauce will seem thin at first, but after a bit of stirring, it will thicken...

INSTRUCTIONS (for Sauce): Add brown sugar and corn starch to skillet. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling, stir constantly. Pour over meatballs...serve warm with rice and veggies!

-Enjoy-

-KJV-

Gluten Free Pizza

This gluten free pizza recipe is loaded with ground beef, sauce, and cheese.  No matter which flavor you choose, the toppings perfectly compliment the rice crust.

Pizza is a staple of most American lives.  Anyone on a gluten free diet knows how hard it can be to find a gluten free pizza recipe that is both healthy and delicious.  Often, the problem lies in the flavor or the texture of the crust.

The beauty of this gluten free pizza is that the rice pizza crust is both easy to make and fun to eat.  It uses no flour at all, yet the rice holds the gluten free toppings well.  Making the recipe with brown rice instead of white rice will greatly increase the nutritional benefits while lending the rice pizza a slightly nutty, earthy flavor.

This is one of the best ground beef recipes due to it's simplicity.  It is a complete family meal that is high in nutrition and flavor.  You can easily customize it to your personal tastes and preferences by adding ingredients like pepperoni or sundried tomato.  Try adding shredded carrot to the sauce mixture for a nutritional boost your famly won't even know about. 

RICE PIZZA CRUST:
3 C cooked brown rice
2 eggs
1/2 C Mozzerella or Cheddar cheese
2 T grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together and press firmly into a large pie pan or baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes.

TRADITIONAL FLAVOR GLUTEN FREE PIZZA:
1 lb. ground beef
1/3 C chopped onion
2- 8oz. cans tomato sauce
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. salt
1 C shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 T grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, brown beeg and onion, drain.
Add sauce and spices and simmer to reduce the liquid and blend the flavors, about 10 minutes.
Pour into prepared rice pizza crust and top with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

SPICY ITALIAN GLUTEN FREE PIZZA:
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground Italian sausage
1/3 C chopped onion
1/4 C chopped green pepper
2 cloves minced garlic
2- 8oz. cans tomato sauce
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. fennel seed
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. salt
1 C shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 T grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, brown beef, Italian sausage, onion, green pepper, and garlic, drain.
Add sauce and spices and simmer to reduce the liquid and blend the falvors, about 10 minutes.
Pour into prepared rice pizza crust and top with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees.
Let stand 10 mintues before serving.

Whether you make Gluten Free Rice Pizza the traditional or Spicy Italian way, you are sure to have a meal the whole family will enjoy!

VLS

BBQ Meatloaf

1 1/2 C Baby Carrots--cut in half

1 TB Vegetable Oil--divided

1 tsp Garlic Salt--divided

3/4 tsp Black Pepper--Divide

1 egg

1/2 C Barbecue Sauce--divided

1 small onion

1/4 C Bread Crumbs

1 1/2 LBS Hamburger

4 Medium potatos

Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine potatos, carrots, oil, 1/2 tsp of the Garlic salt and 1/4 tsp of the pepper; toss to coat. Arrange on baking sheet; bake 10 minutes in lower third of oven.

Mean while in a bowl, combine egg, barbecue sauce, onion, bread crumbs, and remaining 1/2 tsp Garlic Salt and 1/2 tsp Pepper. Add ground beef; mix thoroughly. On rack over broiler pan, shape beef mixture into 6 oval (1-inch thick) patties; brush top of each with barbecue sauce. Put meatloaves on a cooling rack, and bake on rack.

Reduce oven to 400 degrees F. Stir vegetables. Place meatloaves on oven rack above vegetables; make sure you put baking sheets under the meatloaf, as they will drip. bake 25 to 30 minutes or until meatloaves are medium (160 degrees) done and vegetables are tender, brushing meatloaves as needed with additional barbecue sauce to keep moist.

Enjoy

KJV

Mommarie's Potato Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

6 Medium Mashed Potatos
1/4 cup milk or sour cream
1/3 pound Ham cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 C sauerkraut, drained
1 TB Horseradish Mustard
1 C cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In large bowl, stir together potatoes, eggs and milk until well combined. Stir in ham, sauerkraut and mustard. Set aside half the cheese. Stir in remaining cheese into potato mixture. Pour into a greased 13x9 inch pan. Top with desired cheese amount. Bake 15-20 minutes or until top is golden.

Sprinkle with Parsley.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.

Mommarie's Pocket Burgers

My Mom has made these and our family enjoys them!

Brown 2 lbs Hamburger and
1 med chopped Onion in a skillet.

Brown above ingredients together.

1 Can Tomato paste, can of Milk

1/2 t Pepper

1 t Salt

1 t Chili Powder
3 TB Honey
Hot Sauce or Salsa

Add above to browned hamburger. Mix, set aside.

This mixture will be thick like a sloppy joe topping. Can also use Taco Seasoning if you want.

~Dough~

1 C warm water

1 pkg. or 1 1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast

Dissolve-add 1 TB Honey-Let sit for 1 min. Add 3 TB Salad Oil (or Canola)

1 t Salt

3 C Flour (about)

To make dough. Knead for 5 min. divide into 12 equal peices. Cover. Let sit 5 min.

Roll dough out in rounds-add wedge of cheese-about 1/2 inch thick. Top with about 1/4 C Hamburger mixture. Fold edges up to close. Place folded side down on ungreased cookie sheet. (So cheese wedge is at top of pocket). Bake 350 Degrees-Half hour or 'til browned.

You can also use pizza dough.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.

Noodles Alfredo

Makes 5 or 6 servings

8 oz. wide egg noodles

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. half & half

1 c. Parmesan cheese, grated

1 T. parsley flakes

1/4 tsp. salt

Dash pepper

Cook noodles as directed on package. While noodles cook, heat butter and half & half in saucepan over low heat until butter is melted. Stir in cheese, parsley flakes, salt, and pepper; keep warm over low heat.

Return drained noodles to kettle. Pour sauce over noodles, stirring gently until noodles are well coated.

V.L.S.

Mommarie's Fried Rice

Cook 3 C of Rice

In a skillet, Brown 1 Pound favorite meat. (Sausage, Beef, Ham, Pork, Hot dogs, or chicken). (Set aside).

6 scrambled Eggs. (Flat like an Omlet, but not folded over, and chopped ). Cook Through. (Set aside)

Put your cooked rice in skillet. Add the below ingredients:

1-2 C Peas (frozen or fresh)

4 to 6 Green Onion Stalks. (Chopped).

Season to taste with:

Organic No-Salt

1/4 to 1/2 C (however much you prefer). Liquid Aminos or Soy Sauce.

Next add your meat and eggs...

Serve warm with veggies and Sourdough Bread toast.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.

Mommarie's BBQ Sauce and Ham Sandwiches

Open Sourdough Hoagie Rolls. Put one squirt BBQ Sauce on one side of Hoagie Rolls.
(You can also toast the rolls. Optional).

Cut cheese and add on both sides of the Hoagie Rolls. Next add two slices of ham.

Serve warm.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.

Mommarie's Hamburger Pie

Brown 2 pounds of Hamburger.

Pepper

Salt

Organic No-Salt

Garlic

Onions

16 0z Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup or 2 cans Tomato Soup

3-4 C Green Beans

6-8 Medium (Mashed) Potatos

Parsley

Cheese

Season to taste, with, Pepper, Organic No-Salt, Garlic and Onions. Add 16 oz Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (from Costco) or 2 cans Tomato Soup. Add 3-4 C Green Beans. Heat through. Next mound mashed potatos on top. Sprinkle with Parsley, cheese or both. Put the lid on the skillet or pour it in a cassarole dish and put the meal in the oven. Let cheese melt. Serve Hot.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.

Mommarie's Cheesy Noodles

Servings: 8 to 10

Ready in: About 30 Minutes

In a pot add 1 Package 17.6 oz Organic Garofalo Noodles (or elbow Macaroni)

Cook noodles as directed on package.

In a skillet brown 1 lb meat on meadium heat. (ground beef, or ground sausage, or hot dogs, or don't use any meat at all).

Sprinkle a 1/4 of a cup flour over meat of choice. And stir. ( If you are not useing meat, then mix 1/4 C flour in 1/4 C of melted butter). Turn the heat off or down when you add the flour.

Slowly add 2 Cups of Milk. Continue stirring. (Turn oven on low when adding milk). (As you add milk slowly turn oven to a higher temp to thicken it).

When thickened add 1 Cup Sour Cream and 2 Cups of Cheese. Stir until creamy. Turn oven up to medium or low until done.

Season to taste (Mommarie uses Basil, Oregano, Marjoram, Parsley, Kirkland Organic No-Salt, Salt and Pepper)

Sprinkle with Parsely and grated cheese (Optional).

Serve hot with Sour Dough bread and fresh Garden Veggies.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.

Mommarie's Biscuit, Beans and Beef Casserole

1 lb Hamburger

1 Can Pork 'n' Beans (or cook your own)

1/4 C BBQ Sauce

1/2 C Ketchup

1/4 C Mustard

2 TB Brown Sugar

2 t of dried Basil or 2 TB of fresh Basil

1 TB Mince Onion or Raw

1 Can WF Biscuits (or Homemade. Click here for Best Ever Biscuits http://needsomerecipes.blogspot.com/2009/09/egg-butter.html)

Cheese

Brown beef & draw. Add Pork 'n' Beans, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Brown Sugar, & Onion. Heat until bubbly. Put in 2 QT baking dish, top with Biscuits and Cheese.

Bake (uncovered) at 350 for 3o minutes.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.