Red Beans & Rice

This is really the cheating way to do it.  Seriously, but it's good and time is minimal around here when it comes to cooking.  So who cares right....I mean it's really good.  Just make sure that before you make this, that you get 3 cans of blue runner cream style red beans at the grocery.  Shhh! I won't tell anyone...you can totally pass it off as having cooked it all day.  I do.

Red Beans & Rice
1 lb sausage (I like conecuh thin sausage...it's the right size for small kiddos)
3 cans of Blue Runner creamy style read beans
1/2 cup water
bay leaves
onion powder
garlic powder
salt and pepper

Brown your sausage in a large pot.  Pour in the red beans and the water.  Mix it well.  Put in a few bay leaves and the sprinkle a dash or two of the other seasoning to make it feel like you are cooking.  Cook your rice.

I serve this with corn bread and occasionally a salad.  The kids....EAT IT UP!  I never ate this as a child...they are not my kids.

Even Margot dug right in.

Roasted Garlic

I had no idea how to make roasted garlic until I stumbled on to this recipe.  And OH MY WORD...it's heavenly.  I could roast some garlic and eat it....by itself....on a daily basis.  I'm not sure how many people would continue to be my friend and speak to me though.

Roasted Garlic
Head of garlic
Olive Oil
tinfoil
muffin tin

Chop the head of garlic off.  Put it in the middle of  large piece of tinfoil.  Drizzle olive oil over it...to cover it.  Wrap it up completely in the tinfoil.  Put it in a muffin tin to keep it upright (cut side up.)  Roast it in the oven for 30 minutes at 325.  To see this with pictures...go here. 

Peanut Butter Chicken & Rice

I got this recipe from what used to be my favorite site for quick and easy recipes.  It's by far my favorite dish to cook and eat.  One I've passed on to many friends and all who have loved it and loved how simple it is to make.  I could eat this once a week, in fact for a while we did.  But my husband is not like me and he gets burnt out after a while...so I stopped fixing it.  Tonight we had it for the first time in a long time and it was delicious...even Josh thought so.  He said....You know we should have this more like once a week.  The things I put up with I tell ya.  I got this recipe from Chris Jordan over at Ordering Disorder, go here for the original recipe with pics.  I double my sauce, because I'm a big fan of sauces.

Peanut Butter Chicken
1 cup of peanut butter (I used Jiffy)
1 cup water
4 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp brown sugar (I know the pb is sweetened, but I add this anyway)
6 cloves minced garlic ( or 6 cloves of roasted garlic, which is much better I'll post that recipe next)
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 fresh broccoli head
4 chicken breast, diced
White Rice

Cook your chicken breast in a large pan in a little olive oil.  While the chicken is cooking, combine the first 6 ingredients together in a large measuring/mixing bowl.  Set that aside and let the flavors mesh together. Mix it really well, it should look like this when you are finished.

Once your chicken is finished cooking, cut the crowns of your broccoli off and throw them in the pot on top of your COOKED chicken.  Pour between 1/2 and 1/4 cup of water in with the broccoli and chicken, then place a tight fitting lid on top, to steam your broccoli.  So make sure you cook the chicken in the pot/pan with a lid to begin with.  While steaming your broccoli, cook  your rice as directed.  

Once your broccoli is steamed, pour the peanut butter sauce over the broccoli and chicken and serve it over rice.

I promise you cannot go wrong with this recipe....as long as you like and are not allergic to peanut butter.  Meredith loves this, Noah doesn't like peanut butter, so we scoop him some broccoli and chicken out and he eats it over rice with Soy Sauce.  The rest of us...gobbled it up.  Quickly, because it's so good we didn't want anyone to eat off of our plate.  It's been known to happen here.

Meredith gives it....

Noah gave it 2 big thumbs down....because he doesn't like peanut butter he says....but the soy sauce/rice/chicken/broccoli combo is delish...well that's what he tells us.

Rump Roast & Spaghetti Sauce

I grew up eating this meal as a kid.  I think I complained every single time I was served it too.  "UGH, I don't like that!"  or "Yuck...I'm not eating that."  So it should not have come as a surprise when my kiddos said "UGH we don't like that!" or "Dat's not meatballs...I want meatballs!"  or "Not SPAGHETTI again!"  Yes, spaghetti again, it's easy and it's something you eat.  No it's not meatballs....it's different try it.  It's okay if you don't like it....you won't starve missing one meal.   Five minutes later I put the food on their plate and they devoured it....just like I did as a kid.  The bitching and moaning just keeps things interesting I guess.

Rump Roast & Spaghetti Sauce
1 Rump Roast....small/medium sized ( Josh bought it and threw away the packaging before I saw how many lbs it was, but I got two meals out of it)
2 jars/cans spaghetti sauce - (I used hunts garlic & herb)

Put your roast in the crock pot and pour the 2 jars/cans of spaghetti sauce over it.  I also through in some salt and pepper for good measure.  Cook on low overnight and all the next day or cook on high for 7-8 hours.  Stir occasionally.  This roast will become very tender and shred on your plate.


The kids moaned and griped a whole lot, but in the end they each cleared their plates and Margot had seconds.   I served this with green peas...they also cleaned that bowl.  And if I would have had yeast rolls, I'd have served them too.  Yes it was a very terrible meal....I don't not recommend making it, unless you need a quick, easy and delicious dinner.  


The peanut gallery....

Filet Mingon & Pasta Bordelaise

I'm pretty picky when it comes to meat.  I only like to eat chicken dishes if I make them, although I will eat them if someone else does.  I like ground sirloin...not beef.  I also only like filets when it comes to steak.  Hmm maybe I'm a food snob.  My kids are a lot like me, perhaps because I cook most of their meals.  That or I've passed my food neurosis to them.  So on filet night I have to buy one for them to split,  if not they will eat all of mine.  Tonight everyone cleaned their plate.  Noah even had thirds.  The noodles are his favorite and the steak...well there wasn't enough for seconds.  My pocketbook is afraid the day is coming where they will each need their own steak.

Filet
I bought three that equaled 1lb. Next time I'll buy more.  I marinated them in Lawry's a few hours before dinner.  I had the Herb and Garlic, so I used that one.  Josh them threw them on his Big Green Egg.  I have no idea for how longs...since I have no clue how to cook steaks...hmm it's probably time I learn. The kids and I ate them medium-well.  Josh's was still moo'ing.  We love these marinades.  We have served steaks a few times to company and everyone gives Josh's steaks rave reviews.  I have to say he cooks a pretty mean steak.


Pasta Bordelaise
1 lb vermicelli noodles
1 stick of butter
1 package of fresh sliced mushrooms
1 Tbsp of minced garlic
1 tsp of parsley
Lots of Parmesan cheese

Cook the noodles as directed.  Melt the butter in a skillet.  Saute the mushrooms & garlic in the butter.  Add salt and pepper as desired.  When the noodles are finished, pour the butter/mushrooms mixture over it.  Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan.  Mix well.  Serve this hot and sprinkle more Parmesan over each plate.

My version of pasta bordelaise is hands down, Noah's favorite meal.  Noodles, Butter, and Cheese are the main ingredients. How could you go wrong.  Seriously.  Meredith asked if we could have this again tomorrow.  I served this with Roasted Asparagus.  Delish!  Now I'm off to make sprinkle cupcakes for dessert.....for no other reason then it's Tuesday and Life is Good!

Mini Meatloafs...a must try!

I like meatloaf, I'm a big fan of red meat though.  I used to make one that took and hour to cook.  I then found this recipe on a site I loved.  Sadly she no longer post there.  So here is Mini meatloafs.  You can find the original recipe by Chris Jordan, here with pictures.  She wraps hers in bacon, I like my bacon fried so opt for just the meatball.

Mini Meatloafs
- A muffin tin
- 1 lb ground meat (I use sirloin)
- 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain, but I often substitute italian if that's what I have)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all the ingredients into a large bowl.  Roll them into small balls and place in an UNGREASED muffin tin.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins.  I then broil on high for 3 minutes to make the top well done.


I served these with wild rice and carrots.  I promise your kids will eat them and love them.  Even if they say they won't.  Very kid friendly.


Josh, Meredith, Noah & Margot give this a very enthusiastic two thumbs up!

Homemade Meatballs & Pasketti

As Noah would call it.....It's by far his favorite meal.  It's the one thing I can fix at home and everyone will gobble up without any protest.  It's a really difficult recipe, so hang with me.  By the way I don't make spaghetti sauce from scratch.  I've never found a great recipe that I love.  I'm not a sweet spaghetti sauce kind of girl, I'm more of a tangy/tart girl.  So if you have an easy one that's to die for....or at least very good.  Send it my way. acmaksi@hotmail.com --  Here's my extremely difficult meatballs.

Meatballs & Pasketti (Spaghetti)

1 lb ground sirloin
1 egg
1/2 cup italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 jars/cans of spaghetti sauce (I use Hunts cans garlic & herb - it's my fav)

Pour your 3 cans of spaghetti sauce into a large pot and turn to medium.  Put your egg into large bowl and beat it.  Throw in your ground sirloin, cheese and breadcrumbs.  Mix it well with your hands.  Roll the meat mixture into 1 inch balls and throw them directly into the sauce after you roll each one.  Bring the sacue/meatballs to a boil (it will boil on medium -- watch you don't scorch the meatballs)  Stir often.  After it's boiled for 40 minutes, turn it to low and let it simmer.  I do this for about an hour or so.



I start my meatballs at 3 and we eat about 5:15/5:30.  I simmer them until we eat.  The meatballs will take only about 10 minutes to mix and roll from start to finish.  I serve it over angel hair with green peas.  I have more than enough to freeze for another meal for us all.  Or sometimes we have meatball subs the next night!


My children give this 2 thumbs way up.