Easy Meat & Potatoes

I came up with this recipe a few months ago, and it was a huge hit at my house. I have added this into our weekly or at least biweekly dinners. Its fairly quick and easy to make.
I always find it hard to go back and write down the exacts of a recipe I've came up with so I try to be as persise as I can. But, with this one you can improvise by adding or taking away what your family does or doesn't eat. As you can with any recipe, I've found out.

 

So here is my version of Meat and Potatoes that feeds my family of 4:

Ingredients:

5-8 Red Potatoes (qty depends on how many people you are feeding); cut into 1/4's
*Note: I used these ready to cook/ heat potatoes that saved me time, but if not boil and soften your potatoes first or you will have to bake it for about 30 minutes longer*
12 oz=1 Package Eckrich Turkey Skinless Smoked Sausage-sliced
1/2 Onion sliced or chopped
1/2 Bell Pepper sliced or chopped
1-14oz can of Diced Tomatoes (Basil/Oregano)-If your not a fan of tomatoes use the smaller size
Pinch of Salt / Pepper and minced garlic ( this is optional but I ALWAYS season any food I cook)

This is really all you need for this dish, notice the potatoes you just have to warm them in the microwave, remove and cut them up to add to your dish. They saved me a ton of time.

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees
In a medium/ large skillet add a little bit of oil and sautee your sliced onions and bell pepper just a little, then add in your Sliced Sausage (optional, you can just add the sausage without heating them in the skillet, but I found this gives it more flavor)
In a baking dish add your soften potatoes, sausage, onion/ pepper mixture and then pour the whole can of diced tomatoes over it all, then season to your taste mixing a little.

Then cover with foil, tightly and bake for about 45 minutes-you want to make sure that the potatoes are soft and that your meat is well browned. I checked on it about half way through cooking time to stir it up a little and to make sure it wasn't sticking.



I season mine before I add the diced tomatoes

This is what it looks like about to go into the oven, just cover it with foil

Meat & Potatoes

This was really good and you really can't go wrong with it.

Tangy CrockPot Roast

I made this new recipe for Sunday dinner and it was so flavorful and juicy. It's something about the start of the Fall season that makes you want to pull out those crock pots and get to cooking. Also, using the crock pot for your meals saves time and is usually less of a mess.
I found this original recipe over at Kitchen Mommy (link is on my home blog page), I just tweaked it a little bit on the seasonings.

Ingredients:

1-2 lb Roast ( for this I used a Pork Sirloin roast)
1 Cup of Brown Sugar
1 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
Pinch or two of Garlic Powder, Seasoning Salt, Salt and Pepper


Directions:

Lightly season your meat all over, then sear your meat in a lightly greased skillet-you want to sear the meat until it is brown on all sides.

Remove meat from skillet and put it in the crock pot, pour your Worcestershire sauce over it and then add your brown sugar.

Cook on high for about 3-4 hours, the last hour on low cook until your meat is done, meat will be done when it falls apart with a fork.

That's it!! Meat has a sweet tangy somewhat Teriyaki taste.

What you will need

Season and Sear meat on all sides



In Crock Pot add Sauce and Sugar

Turkey BBQ Joes

I saw a similar recipe over at Mix and Match-Foodie Blog the other day and thought I could tweak it a little and make it my own. This was  huge hit at my house, and I actually really enjoyed the flavor in it. This is a great quick and easy meal to make during the week.

 

This is my version of BBQ Joes below.

Ingredients:

 Garlic Texas Toast ( 1 to 2 pieces per person)
1 pound of Ground Turkey
1 (14oz ) can of Diced Tomatoes (Garlic, Oregano, Basil flavored)
1 1/2 cups of BBQ Sauce ( I used Kraft Honey)
1 cup of Shredded Cheese ( I used Monterrey/ Cheddar)
 Salt/ Pepper/ Garlic Powder ( season ground turkey, season to your taste, I just used a pinch or two)

Directions:

In a large skillet cook your ground turkey, while it is browning season your meat with your seasonings. Reduce heat and stir in your diced tomatoes and BBQ Sauce. Simmer uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes.

While that is simmering put your Garlic Toast in the oven, until toasted-remove from oven
Take your toasted Garlic Bread and spoon your Meat mixture over the top of your Bread and top with a little cheese and enjoy, we had spinach as a side.

*I didn't use Jaapenos as the orginal recipe did and I also used Ground Turkey instead of Ground Beef, so feel free to add the peppers and use ground beef if you like*



This is really all you need (left) and this is how the meat mixture looks (right)

Spanish Okra

I saw this original recipe over on Kelly's Korner. And since my whole family loves Okra and we all love Rice I decided to give it a try. Let me tell you it did not disappoint. Now this is my version of the recipe, I tweaked the orginal recipe I saw online to fit my families taste. My daughters ate it all and actually got seconds, so I'd say it was a hit. It makes a perfect weeknight dinner. Let me add I don't know why this recipe has the word Spanish in it, but thats what its called. I'm calling it Southern Spanish Okra

Southern Spanish Okra

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chuck beef
1 cup chopped onion
2 cups sliced okra
1 can diced tomatoes ( I used the basil & organo it gives it flavor) or you can use 1 fresh tomatoe
1 can tomato sauce
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt / pepper and any additinal seasonings
Hot cooked white rice (we eat our rice sweet so after its cooked I add butter and sugar-to me this made it perfect)

Brown meat and onion in a large skillet, Drain (I also season my ground meat here just a little)

Add Okra

Cook 5 minutes constantly stirring it around

Add diced tomatoes and stir, then add the tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce and salt & pepper (to taste)

Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until okra is tender. Serve over Rice

I served ours over sweet rice, and peas as the side!!

Chicken-N-Rice

I made this recipe the other night and it was so good. I kind of just threw it together so I don't have the exact measurements. But, its one of those meals that you really just can make it as you go along and you really can't go wrong.

Chicken-N-Rice

Ingredients:

5-6 Chicken Breast ( I boiled mine for about 5-8 mins and seasoned them a bit in the water, but you don't have to)
Seasonings to your taste I used Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper and a pinch of Season Salt
1 can of Cream of Chicken
1 can of  Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Celery
1 1/2 cup of Rice (uncooked)
1 1/2 cup of Water ( I used 1 cup water and 1/2 cup of Chicken Broth-I used the seasoned water from boiling the chicken)
Butter/Margarine

Directions:

In a medium/ large bowl add the Rice, both cans of Soups and mix well, then add in the water and broth-mix well.
Spray your baking ban with non-stick spray, and then pour your Rice Mixture into the pan, and then place your chicken on top of the rice mixture.
Melt about 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the Chicken, and cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30-45 minutes or until the Chicken is done. Remove from oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes and serve while hot.

Chicken Fried Chicken

I saw this recipe over at Mommys Kitchen and since I'm a fan of Chicken Fried Chicken and Chicken Fried Steak. I decided to try it out for our Sunday dinner last week. It didn't disappoint I followed the direction almost exactly. I saw almost because I tend to season all of my meats before cooking with more than just salt and pepper and this recipe was no different so I did season my chicken a little before patting/flatten them down some and after.

I served mines with Collard Greens and Mashed Potatoes as sides. This was a perfect Sunday Meal!

Chicken Fried Chicken

6 to 8 - skinless and boneless chicken breasts
4 1/2 - teaspoons salt, divided
2 1/2 - teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 Sleeves - saltine crackers, completely crushed
2 1/2 - cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 - teaspoon baking powder
1 - teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)
8 - cups milk, divided
4 - large eggs

Peanut oil

Flatten Chicken Breast some., if using really thick ones, you can use a rolling pan or a meat tenderizer mallet.
Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (and any additional seasonings you want to season the meat. I used garlic powder/salt & Mrs. Dash season evenly over chicken. Set aside.

Combine cracker crumbs, 2 cups flour, baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and ground red pepper. Whisk together 1 1/2 cups milk and eggs.

Dredge chicken in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker mixture again.

Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in a 12-inch skillet. Heat to 360°. Fry chicken, in batches, 10 minutes, adding oil as needed. ( I fry to my liking I suggest you do the same)

Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack in a jellyroll pan. Keep chicken warm in oven.

**I did NOT use this recipe for the gravy, I just do my own, my way no real recipe. If you don't know how to make gravy you can try this one below. OR just go buy you brown gravy packet by McCormick and follow the directions on that one**

Cream Gravy:
Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Whisk together remaining 1/2 cup flour, remaining 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, remaining 1 teaspoon black pepper, and remaining 6 1/2 cups milk slowly about a cup at a time stirring in between. Pour mixture into reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Serve gravy with chicken.

Lemonade Raspberry Cake

Lemonade Raspberry Cake

Ingredients:

1 Cup very hot water

1 box (4 serve size) Raspberry Jello

1 box white cake mix

1/2 cup frozen lemonade concentrated, thawed

1/4 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

4 egg whites

1 container of Whipped Vanilla Frosting

1 Container (8oz) cool whip, thawed

1 pkg Fresh Raspberries

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix the hot water and raspberry jello until the jello is completely dissolved. Cool slightly.

In large bowl, combine cake mix, 1/4 cup of the jello mix, 1/4 cup of the thawed lemonade concentrate, 1/4 cup of water, oil and egg whites.

Beat with mixer on low for 30 seconds, then on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Pour into 13x9 pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Set aside remaining jello mix and lemonade concentrate.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Use a fork to poke holes every inch across top of warm cake.

Remove 1 Tablespoon of the reserved jello mixture into a microwavable bowl.

In a small bowl, mix remaining jello mixture and remaining 1/4 cup lemonade concentrate until well blended.

Pour mixture slowly over cake, making sure to cover the entire top of the cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, mix together frosting and cool whip. Mix well.

Spread frosting mixture over top of cake.

Microwave the 1 Tablespoon of reserved jello uncovered on High for 10-15 seconds to liquefy.

Using 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon, place small drops of jello mixture over frosting. Use a toothpick or small spoon to gently swirl the jello drops into the frosting.

Garnish with raspberries.

Store in refrigerator

I found this recipe over a www.semidomesticatedmama.com.

Of course with just about all the recipes online I tweak them just a little for my taste. This cake was very good but I think the next time I make it I will just use cream cheese icing /frosing instead of the Cool Whip and Whipped Frosting.

Hashbrown Casserole

HashBrown Casserole

Ingredients:
1 bag of Shredded Hash Browns
1 Stick of Butter, Melted (I would use a little less than a whole stick)
1 8oz Sour Cream
1 Can of Cream of Chicken
1 small Onion, cut up
1/2 bag of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
In a large bowl mix Hasbrowns and Butter together, stir; then add all other ingredients, mix well
Pour into baking dish (sprinkle a little cheese on top, opt)
Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour, until bubble and brown on top.

*I cooked Turkey Sausage Links and carrots with ours this night, I wrapped the sausage up in foil and let it cook in the oven the entire time the casserole was cooking, and when it was almost done I put a little bar-b-q sauce on the meat.
This casserole is so good and quick to make, it can be made with the meat cut up inside the casserole to serve as the main dish as well*

Meatball Sub Casserole

Meatball Sub Casserole

Let me start of by saying that this casserole was I think one of the best yet. My whole family really enjoyed this dinner. I found the original recipe over at Menu Musings so far I am loving all of the recipes I have tried from that site. Of course with all the recipes I find, I tweak them some to match my families taste and also what I have in my pantry. This one was no different in the original recipe I saw it called for Mayo, which I do not eat, so I used Sour Cream instead and it turned out perfect. This recipe really only calls for things that I'm sure that you already have on hand, so here it is.

Ingredients:

• Loaf of French bread
• 1 tsp of Butter/Margarine
• 6 oz Cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsp Sour Cream
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp or a little less- Italian seasoning( Mrs.Dash-original/ garlic/herbs, Parsley, garlic Powder)
• 1 bag of frozen meatballs, thawed out enough to cut in half
• 1 can spaghetti sauce (I used Del-Monte Traditional but you can use Hunts Brand)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese ( I used the Italian Blend)

Directions:
*Toast your bread first-you can do it in the oven or toaster*

In a casserole dish layer in the ingredients, starting with the semi-thick slices of French bread. Immediately rub the bread with the butter when you remove the bread from the oven/ toaster. The butter will actually start melting down into the bread, giving it a great flavor, then I sprinkled it with a little garlic powder.

For the next layer, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and Italian seasonings. Spread this on top of the toasted bread.

On top of the cream cheese layer, add the thawed meatballs which you have cut in half.

On top of the meatballs, add the whole large can of spaghetti sauce.

On top of the sauce, add your cheeses(use the Parmesean first, then the Mozzarella/ Italian Blend. Sprinkle with just a little more of your seasonings if you'd like-I sprinkled a little Mrs. Dash (Garlic/Herb)

Bake covered for 30 min at 350-400 degrees depending on your oven. Then about 5 minutes or so uncovered just until the cheese is the perfect amount of melted! Enjoy

Step-By-Step



This is basically all you need to make this recipe

Slice your bread my casserole dish held about 8 slices, then Toast your bread and place it in the casserole dish, then butter them while its still hot and sprinkle a little garlic powder on them.

Combine the Cream Cheese, Sour Cream and Seasonings and spread this mixture on the buttered bread slices

Cut the Meatballs in half place them on top of the mixture, and pour the whole can of pasta sauce over the meatballs

Add your cheese, on top of the sauce starting with the Parmesean first then the shredded Cheese, and then sprinkle with a little Italian Seasonings.

Bake at 350-400 degrees for 30 minutes, Covered and then remove covering and bake an additional 5-10 minutes, Uncovered until the cheese is melted the way you want.

Serve right away, I made corn as a side dish with this.

Easy Mexican Bake

I made this recipe the other night and it was a hit, with everyone in the house. It was quick and easy to make really just about 6 steps, just what I like on a busy weeknight. And, to make it even better I had everything already, so no need to go to the grocery store. (I can't remember where exactly the orginal recipe came from so I will give you my version)

What You Need:

1lb-Ground Beef or Turkey-I used Turkey
2 Cups- Shredded Cheese-I used Colby/Monterrey Jack but you can use Cheddar also
1 pkg-Taco Seasoning ( I also added a little Garlic Powder)
1 can-Cream Of Chicken
6-6-Flour Tortillas
Optional Items:
1/4 cup or a little less of bell pepper/ onion (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)
Salsa (optional)
Oil (just a tad to brown meat)
Hand full of diced tomatoes/ or hand full of Rotel

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 350-400 Degrees
In a skillet over medium-high heat heat your oil and add your brown your ground beef/ turkey until cooked (if using ground beef drain, when crumbly & done). If using bell pepper/Onion add it in here and saute a little.
Stir in Taco Seasoning, Cream of Chicken, and 1 cup of cheese
Reduce Heat to low-(if using tomatoes add here) and simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring at about 1 minute
While that is simmering, spray a 8X8 inch baking dish with Pam.
Layer about half of the meat mixture across the bottom of the dish, spread out some tortillas over the top of the meat mixture (about 4, just play with it you want it to pretty much cover the meat)
Then add, the rest of the meat mixture.
Top with remaining tortillas (you want to cover the meat)
Finally, top this casserole with the remaining cup of cheese (I covered mine all the way with cheese)
Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and cook another 5-15 minutes until bubbly and cheese is slightly brown.

Remove from over and serve-I served ours with Sour Cream and Salsa on the side

Hawaiian Meatloaf

I added this meatloaf a few times on my family blog but I think I have perfected it. Every time I make this I tweak it just to make it right-and this recipe below is exactly how I made it. This sweet Meatloaf is always a hit at my house. I try to include meatloaf into our weekly or biweekly dinners at least once. It's a perfect weeknight dinner or even a good Sunday dinner.

Ingredients:
1 pound Ground Turkey (you can use ground beef)
1 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs (use a little bit more than 1 cup)
1 Egg
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder (a pinch of salt/ pepper/ seasoning salt opt.)
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire Sauce
1/3 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Crushed Pineapples w/just a little bit of juice-put the other juice to the side for the glaze)

Glaze:
1/4 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Crushed Pineapples w/ a little juice

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350-400 degrees. In a medium/large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder & seasonings mix well and then add the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, brown sugar and crushed pineapples mix well and form into a loaf. Place in a lightly greased loaf pan and Cook for about 40-50 minutes until done.

Glaze: In a separate bowl combine ketchup, brown sugar and crushed pineapples. Stir and set aside.
Remove meatloaf from oven once it is cooked, and spread the glaze mixture onto the meatloaf. Put the meatloaf back in the oven for about 20 minutes.
Remove and EAT!!
This particular night I made Mac-N-Cheese and Green Beans as sides.

Start of Something New

I am going to try my hand at doing a recipe blog, nothing fancy just a one stop location where I can have all the recipe's I've cooked located in one place.
First of all, let me say that I am by NO means a chef OR a food photographer with an expensive camera. Please keep those thoughts in mind. when enjoying my foodie blog, which I hope you do. I enjoy cooking a lot and I love food. Since I don't normally grab my digital camera I will be taking a lot of pictures using my camera phone which is normally close by.
Also, keep in mind that my food always tastes good but looks are definitely deceiving in the pictures when it comes to food.