Save Yourself a Little Time

When I have some extra time, like a snow day for example, I like to make large amounts of things and freeze them. One of my favorites is meatballs. They are so versitile. I make about 30-60 meatballs, depending on how much hamburger I have, divide them up in to serving sizes and freeze them for later. Then I'm ready for Meatball sandwiches, meatballs and gravy, whatever you want.

Meatballs
2 pounds of ground beef (2 pounds makes about 30 1 inch meatballs, you could double the whole recipe and get about 60)
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 tsp chopped Garlic
1 tsp dried Oregano
1 tsp dried Basil
1 tsp Kosher Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
2 tbls Worcestershire sauce

Add all ingredients to a large bowl EXCEPT ground beef, mix ingredients together and add add ground beef on top of that and lightly mix, this will help to not over mix and toughen your meat. I use a 1 inch cookie or ice cream scoop to make sure all my meatballs are the same size and ensure even cooking. I also bake my meatballs in muffin pans to make for even browning and to cut back on the fat you would have from frying. I bake them in a 35o dregree oven for 20-25 minutes. Take them out of the oven and cool . I place them in freezer bags in the desired serving size then I always have a quick lunch or dinner when I need it.

A fast idea is to cook the frozen meatballs in a saucepan with 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 3/4 can of water, 1/2 tsp chopped garlic and cook on med heat for 30 minutes, at the end stir in 1 lg tbls of sourcream and serve over noodles for a quick stroganoff.

Banana Bread Makes Everyone Feel Better

My husband's cousin lost her sister-in-law over the weekend in a tragic car accident. It has left a huge black cloud over our whole community. I can't believe that somthing like this could happen. It's devastating. It leaves you at a loss for words. Immediatly you think-what can I do? What do they need? I brought Banana Bread. And just for Erin I'll give you recipe.
Banana Bread
1/2 Cup Butter
1 Cup White Sugar
2 Eggs, beaten
3 Bananas, mashed
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 3/4 Cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt

1 Cup Blueberries or Rhubarb(optional)

Cream softened butter, sugar, add eggs, and sour cream. Mix till well incorperated. Add bananas, mix well. Sift dry ingredients together and add to wet mixture. Beat well. Pour into a lg loaf pan or 2 medium loaf pans.
Bake a 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the center clean.

Not that banana bread is going to take away any of the excruciating pain that this family is feeling right now, but I'll try anything. May you rest peacefully in Gods arms Afton. You will greatly missed by us all.

My First Post!

I decided that after a horrible weekend of distinct reminders as to how short life can really be, I thought I would start somthing I have been thinking about for a long time. Cooking and communication are two of my favorite things in life, and I can't wait to start somthing that includes them both. I hope someone will find this blog helpful and maybe a little entertaining.
As a wife and mother to two beautiful children there is one thing I've learned-we all have to eat-so why not enjoy it. I'm constantly searching for new ideas and new recipes and experamenting with new ideas and ingredients. I love hear what other families are doing as well. It just seems like one day you stop and look at your dining room table and all you see is tater-tot hotdish. Nothing against tater-tots, in fact my husband could eat them everyday if he had to, I just want to give my family the widest variety and healthies options I can. Like last night for example a friend of mine told me that she cooks chicken breasts in a crock pot with a can of chicken broth and a package of taco seasoning. Brilliant!! I never thought of that! As soon as she said that 100 diffrent ideas went through my head. The one I decided on was Taco Pizza.

4 chicken brests cooked in the crock pot (on high for 2-4 hours or on low for 6-8) with 1 can of chicken broth and 1 package of taco seasoning and shredded.
2 packages of corn muffin mix (following package directions)
1 can diced tomotoes
1 can black beans
1Tbls can green chillies
1 sm can sliced black olives
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tbls chopped green onions

Prepare muffin mix according to directions and spread in a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and layer rest of ingredients with chicken first and ending with shredded cheese. Cover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes till heated through and cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream, taco sauce, salsa, and shredded lettuce.

It was DELICIOUS! I also thought about using the same recipe but taking a couple inexpensive steaks and cooking them the same way and having a steak taco pizza. I hope you try this one oout on your family and enjoy!