Simple Tortelini- Make and Go!

I'm a huge fan of crockpot meals because they are super easy and they can cook while you're gone and be ready when you walk in the door.  They also tend to have great flavor which means the family really enjoys eating! If I can throw something in a crockpot as opposed to making it on the stove, I will. Simple, easy, and delicious, that's exactly what this recipe is.  I've said before that I'm trying at least one new recipe a week and I won't post one that I don't try. Everything I put on this blog has been made by me, tested by my family, and found to be a success! So are you ready to try some super easy tortellini?
You'll Need:
1 pound of hamburger (I use 80/20)
1 package of mild Italian sausage (about 4-5 sausages) out of casings
2 small or 1 large package of cheese tortellini (these are usually in the deli refrigerator section, they are already made)
1 small can of tomato paste
1 can of diced Italian tomatoes
1 small can of mushrooms (stems and all), drained
1 jar of marinara (I use Prego)
1 tsp. onion powder
2 cups shredded cheese mix
Salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: First you need to brown your hamburger and sausage in a skillet (remove sausage from casings) and chop up as you go.  Add in salt and pepper and onion powder.  Drain.
Step 2: Now, add your meat to the crockpot and add in the tomato paste, Italian tomatoes, mushrooms, and marinara. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
Step 3: About 20-30 minutes before you're ready to serve, mix in the tortellini and cheese.  Cook until the tortellini is done (soft but not falling apart). 
I'm telling you, this taste just like something you would eat at Olive Garden.  If you love Italian cooking and pasta, you'll love this meal.  This would be perfect with salad and bread and butter.  And you could adapt it to feed a large group. 
I hope you enjoy me recipes, I really enjoy cooking and love to share my ideas with ya'll.  Cooking doesn't have to be boring...make it simple but amazing.  I promise to add desert recipes too!

Pepper Steak That Everyone Loves

If you're anything like me, you have a child or other picky eaters.  I am always trying to find meals that will satisfy everyone and that is healthy.  I would much rather cook a meal at home than go out to eat but I get bored of the same old dinners.  So I am on a mission to try at least one new recipe a week.  Today the pick was pepper steak which, to me, is another intimating recipe.  I'm not sure why but it just sounds complex; however, I have found a non-complicated version that will blow your mind.  It is amazing and super easy!
You'll Need:
A package of round steak that you cut into bite size pieces and cut off the excess fat
1/3 cup flour
1 Tbsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
3 Tbsp. soy sauce (you may need more but start with this)
2 Large green peppers, sliced
1 Large red pepper, sliced
1/4 tsp. salt
Sprinkle of onion powder (you can use actual onion if you wish)

Step One:
Put the flour and pepper onto a plate.  Once the steak is cut into bite sized pieces roll them in the flour mixed with pepper and place them in a skillet that has oil in it.  Brown the steak.
Step Two:
While the steak is browning, add the other ingredients.  You can watch and see if the mixture becomes dry, add more soy sauce and approx. 1/2 cup of water.  You want a rue mixture, that's what makes it so yummy!
Step Three:
Simmer the mixture until the meat is completely done, approx. 20 min.  Serve with cooked rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes! I promise there will be very little left over because the flavor is amazing!
This recipe could easily be adapted to the crock pot, just complete the following steps first and throw it all in the crockpot and cook for 1-2 hours on high. 
There ya have it! A delicious, healthy meal, that everyone will love. 
Cooking Tip: Brown your meat before you add in other ingredients, bake it, or throw it in the crockpot.  This locks in the flavor and keeps it from getting chewy.

A Twist on Salisbury Steak

If you're anything like me, the only Salisbury steak I've eaten is the frozen Banquet meals.  It was just one of those dishes that sounded so hard so I never attempted it BUT I have found a recipe that is so simple and so delicious! So no more frozen Banquet Salisbury steak for me! I challenge you to try this recipe and see if you love it just as much! P.S. My husband who is normally extremely critically of my cooking had nothing negative to say about this dish. 
Salisbury Steak Meatballs and Egg Noodles
You will need:
2 lbs of ground beef
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
2 Beef bouillon cubes, crushed
3 Cups beef broth
2 Tbsp Cornstarch
1/4 Cup Ketchup
1 Tbsp Ketchup
1/4 Cup Spicy Brown Mustard
1 Tbsp Spicy Brown Mustard
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 Cup unseasoned or seasoned bread crumbs
4 Tbsp. butter
Step 1: Put your hamburger, crushed beef bouillon cubes, 1/4 cup of Ketchup, 1/4 cup of Spicy Brown Mustard, 1 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce, and breadcrumbs in a bowl and mix thoroughly
(as bad as you hate to, you should use your hands to make sure everything gets incorporated well). Form these the mixture into 1 inch balls.
Step 2: In a skillet, heat your butter until it is melted and then place your meatballs in.  Brown them on each side and then take them out and set them aside. 
Step 3: To you pan, add 2 cups of beef broth, the onion powder (you can use real onions for a stronger flavor but my husbands allergic so I had to omit), 1 Tbsp of Ketchup, 1 Tbsp of Spicy Brown Mustard, and 1 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce.  Bring to a boil.  Meanwhile, in a bowl combine your cornstarch and 1 cup of beef broth and then add to your pan.  Stir thoroughly. The sauce will start to thicken and then place your meatballs back in and let them simmer until the meat is thoroughly cooked. 
Step 4: Cook your egg noodles (you can cook them in water but I prefer beef broth and 2 beef bouillon cubes).
Step 5: Mix them together and serve. 
There you have it! Easy Salisbury steak that's hearty and filling! If you want you can do all the steps then put in a crockpot to simmer! It may be hectic at times but nothing's better than a homecooked meal. 
Helpful Hint: Always put your noodles in your water after it's boiling, if not, they will be soggy.

Rainy Day Supper

It's been awhile since I posted any recipes but here lately I've been trying out so many new things that I want to share! If you're like me, on rainy fall days I just like to be lazy, sit in front of the TV, have an easy supper and just relax.  That's exactly what I did today and this is what dinner also reflected.  Today we had PotLuck Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, and Fried Green Tomatoes.  Let me just say it was absolutely delicious (well, Doug tells me the tomatoes were good I've never really liked them). I got the idea for the meatballs from The Pioneer Woman but I've tweeked them to fit my family.
PotLuck Meatballs: (These are AMAZING)
2lbs hamburger
1 cup breadcrumbs (I used unseasoned but you can use seasoned if you want a stronger flavor)
2 Tbsp. minced garlic (I use the kind in the jar, just as good but so much easier!)
2 Eggs
1/4 cup minced parsley (I used dried but you can substitute fresh if you want)
A dash of red pepper flakes
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Butter
Sauce:
1 can beef consommé
1 can beef broth
2 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
1 can of tomato paste (I used the Italian herb infused)
2 Tbsp flour
Step 1: First you made the meatballs by mixing the ground beef, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, red pepper flakes, and some salt and pepper together.  After it is mixed, roll them into balls (about 1 inch).  Now you need to get your oil and butter hot so put them in a saucepan and when they start to sizzle, place your meatballs in to brown on all sides (you'll probably need to do them in batches).  Now, DON'T throw away your grease yet!
Step 2: To the oil, add your beef consumme, beef broth, tomato paste, and spicy brown mustard and let that come to a boil.  If the sauce is too thin then take some beef broth and add some flour to make a roux and add that to your mix.  Once everything is combined, place the meatballs back in the pan and stir gently to make sure the meatballs are covered.  Cook on low heat for about 40-45 minutes or until the meat is done. 
That's it! How easy is that? Eat them with some mashed potatoes (I used Bob Evans premade cause hey, it's my lazy day don't judge! :)
Now, if you're one of those people who love fried green tomatoes, then you'll want this recipe. 
Fried Green Tomatoes:
3 Green Tomatoes sliced (relatively thin)
Flour
Red Pepper Flakes (just a dash)
Salt and Pepper
Sugar
Milk
Jiffy instant cornmeal
Oil
Step 1: Slice your tomatoes and get everything ready first off.  Put about a cup of flour on a paper plate (you'll probably need to add more later but it's a start), mix the red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and sugar with the flour.  Put some milk in a bowl (about a cup) and on another paper plate some Jiffy brand cornmeal.
Step 2: Put about an inch of oil in a skillet and heat until sizzling (I dropped a little flour in and when it sizzles, it's ready). While the oil is getting hot, put a slice of tomato into the flour mixture and coat generously, then dip it in the milk, and then over to the cornmeal (make sure the cornmeal is caked on all of the tomato).  Next, just drop them in the oil. 
Step 3: The cooking time depends on the thickness and size of the tomato slices but once each side is brown and the center is slightly soft, they are ready. Serve immediately before they get soggy!
Now there you have it, an easy dinner that pleases everyone and allows you to be lazy! Enjoy the fall days by having hearty, easy meals! I hope you'll continue to follow me, I have some great ideas coming soon!
Cooking Hint: Always use a spoon when turning meatballs so they don't break apart.