may 19

127. Linguine with sausage and peppers

This was really good and so easy to make. I must start by saying that if my husband can put something off he will. So when we ran out of gas for the grill on sat he told me he would get a new tank on sunday. I did not think about it and I went to turn the grill on the cook a chicken dish that I was planning. No gas....so this was not planned until the weekend but I had to go with it. It was very good for something done at the moment.

*salt and pepper
*1 lb linguine
*1 lb turkey sausage, casings removed
*6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
*4 yellow or red peppers, thinly sliced
*4 TBSP butter
* cups arugla, torn

In a large pot boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente
Drain, reserve 1 1/2 cup of the pasta water, return pasta to pot
Meanwhile cook the sausage, over medium heat, and 2 TBSP water in a large covered skillet until the fat renders, about 5 minutes
Uncover and raise the heat to medium high
Brown the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, about 7 minutes
Add the garlic, bell peppers and 1/4 cup pasta water; cook until the peppers are soft, about 6 minutes
Add 3/4 cup pasta water and the butter, stick until combined
Toss the pasta with sausage and add arugula
Season with salt and pepper

128. Cantaloupe with Honey and Lime

I am not a fan of honey but Dave loves it. Neither of us loved this. It was odd.

*1 cantaloupe, peeled and seeded
*1/4 cup honey
*juice of a lime and zest

Using a sharp knife, slice the cantaloupe as thin as possible
Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with lime juice

april 28

108. 30-minute spaghetti and meatballs

This was easy to make. Other than the sauce jumping out of the pat and staining the shirt I was wearing, it was a breeze. Yes, I own an apron or 2 but never think to use them.
Elise ate it and other than the fact that it had chunks of tomatoes in it, she was happy. Eli just looked me when I put it down in front of him. if he could roll his eyes he would have!

*salt and pepper
*1 1/2 lbs of sweet or spicy Italian Sausage
*1 tsp olive oil
*1 medium yellow onion, diced small
*2 cans (28 onces) whole peeled tomatoes
*1 lb spaghetti

Set a large pot of water to boil
Remove sausage from casings and roll into 24 balls
In a dutch oven, over medium high heat, add sausage
Brown on all sides, about 5 minutes
Using a slotted spoon remove the sausage and set aside
Add onion and cook until soft about 5 minutes
Add tomatoes, breaking apart as you put them in, season with salt and pepper
Bring sauce to boil and cook for 5 minutes
Add pasta to cook
Meanwhile add meatballs to sauce and simmer for about 7 minutes
Drain pasta and mix

april 14

102. Incredible Italian Meatloaf

None of us really loved this. It was just ok. I have a much better meatloaf recipe and Dave told me that he misses it, so I am going to have to make it soon for him. He always asks me for it for his birthday!

*1 pound mild Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
*1 pound ground turkey
*2 eggs, beaten
*1 1/2 cups rolled oats
*1/2 cup chopped onion
*1/2 cup milk
*1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
*1 teaspoon Italian-style seasoning
*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*2 cups spaghetti sauce
*5 dashes hot pepper sauce
*1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
*1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring (now I did not use this. I dont even know what it is.)

Preheat oven to 350
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, sausage, eggs, oats, onion and milk.
Season with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt.
Mix well and form into a loaf.
Place into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a separate small bowl, mix together the spaghetti sauce, hot sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke.
Smooth over the entire meatloaf.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes.

April 5

93. Pizza Casserole

5 years ago today my husband and I were standing in a court room to finalize our sons adoption. So we have a celebrate Eli day. I asked what he wanted for dinner and he told me that he wanted Pizza. So I found this recipe for Pizza casserole. Plus it was a good way to get them to eat from vegetables.

*1 TBSP olive oil
*1 medium onion, chopped
*2 sweet bell peppers cut into large pieces
*2 medium zucchini, cut into rounds
*2 cloves garlic, chopped
*3 cans diced tomatoes, drained
*5 fully cooked sausages, sliced
*1 tsp italian seasoning
*1 tsp salt
*1/2 tsp pepper
*1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
*2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
*1 tube refrigerated breadsticks

Heat oven to 350
Grease 9x13 baker
In large skillet heat oil over medium high heat
Add onion and bell peppers, cook for 5 minutes
Add zucchini and garlic and cook about 5 minutes until barely tender
Add tomatoes, sausage, IT seasoning, salt, and pepper; cook for 5-7 minutes
Add 2 TBSP parmesan cheese
Spoon half the mixture into baking dish
Top with one cup of mozzarella
Add remaining tomato mixture
Arrange breadsticks on top in lattice pattern
Sprinkle with remaining cheeses
Bake for 25 minutes

The kids really liked it. They really did not put up a huge fight to eat their veggies! That is always good for me to not have to yell to eat!

March 24

88. Zitti

This was sorta my own recipe that I just make as I go.
We all liked it and thought it was good enough to make again. Eli even ate the whole thing.

*1-2 lb sausage
*1 lb pasta (I used shells)
*2 cups mozzarella cheese
*1 cup parmesan cheese
*1 large container of pasta sauce
*1 can of diced tomatoes
*1 tsp basil
*1 tsp garlic salt
*pepper

Brown the sausage
Boil the noodles
Mix everything together and bake at 375 for 30 minutes

You really cant mess it up!

march 3

66. Pasta Fagiolo with Sausage

This was good. I think that if I make it again I would add something to give it a little more of a kick. One warning...It made a ton of food. So make sure that when you make it, make sure you are cooking for more than 2. Or freeze it. I am sending it with Dave to work tomorrow. I will let you know what they think of it too. Dave really liked it. Have it some good bread.

*2 TBSP olive oil
*1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
*3 cloves garlic, crushed or thinly sliced
*3 large chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved into 6 cups hot water
*1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
*1 tsp Italian seasoning
*1/2 tsp onion salt
*1/2 tsp black pepper
*1 lb ditalini pasta
*2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
*1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

In a large sauce pan, heat oil over medium high heat
Crumble sausage into saucepan, stirring until browned (about 5 minutes)
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute
Add dissolved bouillon cubes, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, onion salt and pepper
Bring to boil over high heat
Stir in pasta and reduce heat
Simmer, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender
Stir in beans and cook for about 1 minute or until beans are heated through
Serve with cheese

67. Key Lime Cake

One of my best friends birthday is this weekend. She told me in passing that she has not had a birthday cake in 10 years. I could not stand for that. So I asked what kind of cake she wanted and she said something fruity. So this is what I found to make her. I will let you know tomorrow what she thinks of it. We are taking her to lunch tomorrow with no children!! So happy birthday Tracy!!

*1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
*1 (3 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
*3/4 cup water
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*4 eggs
*5 tablespoons key lime juice
*1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
*3 tablespoons key lime juice

Preheat oven to 350
Lightly grease one 9x13 inch cake pan or one 10 inch bundt pan.
In a large bowl stir together; lemon cake mix, lemon instant pudding, water, oil, eggs, and 5 tablespoons key lime juice, mixing well.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Pour key lime glaze over cake while still warm.
To Make Glaze: Mix together the confectioner's sugar and 3 tablespoons of the key lime juice (or more if necessary), spoon glaze over warm cake.

feb 19

52. Beer-braised sausages with war potato salad

This was really yummy and so easy to make. Eli ate about half the sausage and then complained that he did not like it. They had to be threaten to take a bite of the potato. So not a hit with the under 5 crowd!

*2 TBSP olive oil
*1 1/2 lb sweet sausage
*1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
*12 onces pale ale beer
*1 1/2 lb small red potatoes, halved
*coarse salt and pepper
*1 TBSP red-wine vinegar
*2 TBSP parsley

In a Large dutch oven heat 1 TBSP oil over medium high
Add sausages and cook until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes
Add onion and cook until softened, about 7 minutes
Add beer, potatoes and 2 cups of waters, season with salt and pepper (Make sure that the potatoes are under the water)
Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes
Transfer the sausages to a plate and keep warm
In a large bowl stir together 1 TBSP oil, vinegar and parsley
With a slotted spoon take the potatoes and mix with the mixture
Return the pot to a high heat and boil until liquid reduces to 1 cup, about 12 minutes
Add the sausages back to the pot and cook for 2 minutes
Serve warm.

Now after the dutch oven issue at Target I am going to use the heck out of pot! I really do like it and it is handy to have. Also I have decided that I love red-wine vinegar. It's the best. Also since I did not have ale on hand I used Michelob Ulta!!
Tomorrow we are having a small dinner party with 6-8 people, so I am off to plan the menu. Wish me luck!!

53.Chocolate Peanut Blowouts

This was not that great so I am not going to waste my time typing it out or your time reading it! I am on the hunt for a really good cookie recipe!!

Jan 18

28. Skillet Penne and Sausage Supper

As I said before my wonderful husband is always asking for sausage meals! This one was really good. As I was making it my daughter told me that the sun-dried tomatoes looked like worms and why would I want to eat that. Then as I was mincing the onion my eyes were really watering and Elise said, "I know Mommy. I would cry too if I had to eat that for dinner. Can I have pudding?" (that is the idea of what she said. She is in speech for a reason God love her!!)

*1 TBSP olive oil
*1 onion minced
*salt
*1 lb hot or sweet sausage, casings removed
*3 cloves garlic minced
*1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes rinsed and chopped
*8 ounces penne (2 1/2 cups)
*2 1/2 cups chicken broth (I used low sodium)
*1/2 heavy cream
*5 ounces baby spinach
*1 ounce grated parmesan cheese (1/2 cup)

Heat oil over medium heat in non stick skillet (or as I call it a cooks best friend!!)
Add the onion and 1/2 tsp salt and cook until soften, about 5 minutes
Stir in sausage and cook, breaking up with wooden spoon for about 4 minutes or until no longer pink
Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant
Add the tomatoes and penne over sausage
Pour in broth and cream, cover and bring to boil
Reduce heat to Med. low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes
Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper

Now if you are like me then finding these sun dried tomatoes was a challenge. They were in produce by the real tomatoes but out store did not have the oil packed ones. I got the died ones and put them in some olive oil a few hours before hand. It worked out well. Dave said that this has moved into the number 1 spot on his list.

On the bread machine. My husband bought me an ice maker for Christmas and I bought him one, so I took his back and traded it in on a bread machine....

29. Chocolate Chip bread

*1/4 cup water
*1 cup milk
*1 egg
*3 cups bread flour
*3 tablespoons brown sugar
*2 tablespoons white sugar
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
*2 tablespoons margarine, softened
*3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
Select 'Mix Bread' cycle or the setting that allows ingredients such as seeds or fruit to be folded into the dough; press Start.
Add the chocolate chips at the signal, or about 5 minutes before the kneading cycle has finished.
Remove loaf from pan to cool when bake cycle finishes.

To be fair we have not tried this yet as its still in the bread machine. I will let you know tomorrow if we like it. It smells really good and Eli and Elise loved watching the bread machine work. So to my friend JJ, I am pleased with the bread machine!!!

Jan 8

16. Rigatoni and Sausage

My husband and his family love the cured pork products so I am always on the lookout for good recipes calling for sausage. Elise being a true Jerozal will eat anything that looks like sausage or bacon! She is not big on other meats but this she will always eat.

*1 lb Sweet Italian Sausage (pork or turkey)
I used Pork since I had just been to Costco and picked up some!
*26-28 once jar of Tomato pasta sauce
*1 lb Rigatoni, UNCOOKED
*Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

I added some garlic powder, basil and oregano plus some salt and pepper.

Coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray.
Brown the sausage over med-high heat
Pour the pasta sauce into the cooker.
Fill a the jar with water and pour that in too.
Add the Pasta and cooked sausage.
Stir together.
Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Do not over cook.
Half way through the cooking stir again.

Elise really liked this one. Eli told me that it was not as good as the stuff in a can and then practiced crossing his eyes at me during dinner. I will tell you that they both ate everything and that is good because they will be having it for lunch tomorrow!