"Welcome to my little spot on the worldwide web, documenting the recipes I've tried and sharing my successes and fails. I am a {very, very} beginner cook, so I am mostly interested in quick and easy recipes that are healthy and delicious!"

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

{homemade} Spaghetti and meatballs








Spaghetti Sauce//

Ingredients:
10 ripe tomatoes
2 tbl olive oil
2 tbl butter
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 C fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp italian seasoning
2 tbl corn starch (+more for thickening)


Instructions:
1. Boil some water in a large pot. Prepare an ice bath (bowl of cold water with ice).
2. Once the water is boiling, place the tomatoes in the boiling water for about 1 minute or until the skin begins to peel
3. Remove the tomatoes and immediately place them in the ice water.
4. Peel the tomatoes and squeeze out the seeds
5. Chop 8 tomatoes and puree in a blender or food processor.
6. Chop the remaining 2 tomatoes and set aside
7. Next, in a large pan over medium heat, cook the onion, bell pepper, carrot and garlic in oil and butter until the onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes
8. Pour in the pureed tomato
9. Stir in chopped tomato, basil, and italian seasoning.
10. Bring to a boil, and then let simmer, and some cornstarch until desired thickness
{also add some S&P, Oregano, or thyme for a stronger flavor}

adapted from Mel's Kitchen

Meatballs//

Ingredients:
1 lb Ground Beef
3/4 C Bread Crumbs
3 cloves Garlic
2 Whole Eggs
3/4 Freshly Grated Parmesan
1/4 Parsley
S&P
Splash of Milk



Instructions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl
2. Form 1 1/2 inch round balls (makes about 25)
3. Place on a greased cookie shoot and bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes
4. Serve meatballs over spaghetti noodles and homemade sauce!

{The meatballs also freeze really well, so you can make them ahead of time and pull them out whenever you're feeling spaghetti!}


adapted from Pioneer Woman
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Monday, September 23, 2013

Hawaiian Haystacks {without the cream of blob soup}



I love this meal because it is SO fast! And very versatile-you can put any kind of toppings on it. The possibilities are endless! I also wanted to try a recipe that did not use the Cream of Chicken Soup--bleh! That stuff is so not good for you! This recipe turned out great, and tasted so yummy!!!



It made so much, I brought the leftovers to school with me :)