Category: RECIPE REVIEWS

LOOSEMEAT PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS ~ BLOG 366.128

I needed to make Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches for a crowd and didn’t want to be a short order cook ALL night. So this version came to mind using ground beef and a sheet pan.

LOOSEMEAT PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS ~ serves 6, but easily doubles or triples adapted from FACEBOOK

1 1/2 pounds QUALITY ground beef
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons Montreal hamburger seasoning
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons avocado oil
8 ounces white button mushrooms, sliced
3 LARGE bell peppers (green, red, or yellow), sliced *SEE NOTES
1 cup diced onion
8 ounces sliced or shredded Provolone cheese
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Sandwich rolls
butter and garlic salt for rolls
Mayonnaise for rolls
Creamed Horseradish, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise and creamed horseradish with a little salt to taste. Set aside for dressing rolls before serving.
  • Spray a deep jelly roll sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with foil.
  • In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain.
  • Add the cream cheese, steak seasoning and Worcestershire sauce, cooking over medium heat or until cream cheese is melted and combined. Add a little milk or cream if you want the sauce thinner.
  • Add FRESH ground salt and pepper to taste.
  • Spread beef mixture on sheet pan.

  • Wipe out skillet, or use a second pan while the beef is cooking and heat oil over medium high heat.
  • Add the mushrooms, bell peppers, and onion cooking until veggies are soft.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Spread veggies on top of beef mixture.
  • Top veggies mixture with Provolone cheese and bake in the oven for about 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  • Serve immediately on sliced grilled rolls that have been buttered and toasted with prepared mayonnaise.


NOTES:

  • I omit green bell peppers because I just can’t tolerate them and really prefer the sweetness that a red bell pepper adds to the mix.
  • Adding a little salt and creamed horseradish to the mayonnaise for the bread really OOMPHS up the flavor, but can easily be omitted.

CROCK POT CHICKEN & STUFFING ~ BLOG 366.123

CROCK POT CHICKEN & STUFFING 

3-4 LARGE (Dolly Parton size) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally if really thick
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped parsley
1 can of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup (see notes)
8 ounces sour cream – I use Mexican sour cream, but not sure if it’s available everywhere
6 ounce box Stove Top stuffing mix
1/4 + 3/4 cup homemade chicken bone broth
1 LARGE shallot, chopped
1 1/2 cups FRESH Green Beans (frozen works in a pinch – see notes)
1 1/2+ cups baby carrots (1 small bag)
2 stalks celery, chopped

  • Whisk together the soup and ¾ cup broth mixture together with the stuffing mixture.
  • Add the onions and celery.
  • Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
  • Pour 1/4 cup broth on the bottom of your slow cooker and lay chicken breasts in a single layer, if possible.
  • Add stuffing mixture on top of chicken.
  • Add green beans and carrots last on top of the stuffing.
  • Cook on low for 6-8.

NOTES:

  • You can use any condensed cream soup you have on hand. I often use cream of broccoli or potato if that’s what I have on hand and you get an enhanced flavor profile.
  • You can use any vegetable combination you like. If I’m out of green beans, I use peas or peas and carrots.
  • You could cook this on high for 3-4 hours, but I find the chicken stays MUCH moister when cooked on low.
  • If you slice your chicken breasts horizontally, layer chicken, stuffing, chicken, stuffing before adding the veggies. You can even chicken the chicken pieces for more of a stew consistency.

 

MAGIC KINGDOM COOKIES ~ BLOG 366.86

I collect old recipe boxes full of old recipes. One of my more recent boxes had a recipe in it for “Disneyland 40th Anniversary Cookies”. Disneyland’s 40th anniversary would have been July 17, 1995. The recipe card had so many notations on it that it was really difficult to decipher. I did a bit of research, but didn’t find a specific recipe for a 40th anniversary cookie. I did the best I could, but ultimately made my own recipe out of the notes, hence the new name. These cookies have become our new family favorites!

MAGIC KINGDOM COOKIES makes 5 dozen
2 1/2 cups AP flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 LARGE eggs
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup quick oats
1 cup ground walnuts
1 cup shredded coconut
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup raisins *see note*

  • Sift together the flour and baking soda. Set aside.
  • Cream together the butter, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until creamy.
  • Add walnuts, coconut and flour mixture alternately until all incorporated.
  • Fold in chocolate chips and Craisins until well blended.
  • Chill mixture 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Scoop cookies with 1 inch scoop onto parchment lined cookie sheets.
  • Bake 15 minutes.
  • Cool on cookie sheets 10 minutes before moving to wax paper to cool completely.

NOTE: I was out out regular raisin so I used Craisins the first time and then golden raisin the next time. The golden raisins are my favorite.

SWEET CORN TAMALE CAKES ~ BLOG 366.65

This is a CHEESECAKE FACTORY copy cat recipe that makes a WONDERFULLY delicious appetizer OR a main dish that no one can resist!

SWEET CORN TAMALE CAKES
SALSA VERDE
2 RIPE tomatillos, roughly chopped
4 ounce can chopped green chiles, drained REALLY well
2 green onions sliced thin
2 tablespoons FRESH cilantro, roughly chopped
1 ½ teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until combined, but still a little chunky.
  • Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and chill for AT LEAST 1 hour.

PICO DE GALLO
1 LARGE Roma tomato, diced
2 tablespoons minced red onion
1 tablespoon FRESH minced cilantro
½ teaspoon lime juice
FRESH ground sea salt and ground pepper, to taste

  • Place all ingredients in a small bowl and toss.
  • Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

SOUTHWESTERN SAUCE
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon water
½ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

  • Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix until well combined.
  • Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

CORN CAKES
1 ½ cup frozen sweet corn
½ cup butter softened to room temperature
3 tablespoons sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup corn masa harina flour or corn meal
2 tablespoons AP flour
1 ½ tablespoon avocado oil

  • Add 1 cup of the frozen corn to a food processor until it’s coarsely pureed.
  • Add the pureed corn, softened butter, sugar, and salt to a medium bowl, mixing until combined.

  • Add masa and flour and mix until no flour streaks remain.
  • Add the remaining ½ cup of frozen corn kernels, and mix until corn is evenly distributed.
  • 
Measure ½ cup portions of the mixture and use your hands to form them into 3-inch wide patties.

  • Add the avocado oil to a large skillet and preheat over medium-low heat.
  • Add the patties to the skillet and cook 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
  • Flip and cook the other side 5-7 minutes more until golden brown.


GARNISHES
Sour cream
Avocado, diced
Fresh cilantro, chopped

ASSEMBLY

  • Add the salsa verde to your platter and spread it evenly.
  • Heat the platter in the microwave for 1 minute.
  • Place the corn cakes on the warmed salsa verde.
  • Distribute the Pico De Gallo and Southwestern Sauce evenly over the top.
  • Dollop with sour cream, and garnish with chopped avocado and cilantro.
  • Serve immediately.


GREAT GRANS CHICKEN & NOODLES ~ BLOG 366.46

This is an old family recipe that was extremely common in the midwest amongst many a farmer’s wife back in the day. My great grans even made her own noodles and would drape them all over the dining room to dry. She also started with a chicken from the yard as well as veggies from her garden.This was a family favorite long before supermarkets.

I never thought to ask, just accepted that it was that way, but this dish was always served in our house over fluffy mashed potatoes with homemade butter, which is A LOT of carbs! But, I can’t think of serving it any other way! I admit I buy packaged noodles and butter, but the rest is all scratch made.

GREAT GRANS CHICKEN & NOODLES
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
2 carrots, rustic chopped
2 stalks celery, rustic chopped
1 LARGE Vidalia onion, quartered
3-4 cloves garlic, rough chopped
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 + 1/4 cup FRESH chopped flat leaf Italian parsley
1 pound wide egg noodles
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
2 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 LARGE shallot, chopped
Fluffy mashed potatoes

  • Place chicken pieces, 2 rustic chopped carrots, 2 rustic chopped celery stalks, 1/4 cup parsley and onion pieces into 4 quarts of salted water and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer for 45 minutes.
  • Strain through a colander and reserve broth.
  • Pick the chicken pieces, discarding the debris.
  • In the reserved broth add the sliced carrots and celery with the diced shallot and remaining parsley. Simmer covered for 30 minutes until veggies are tender.
  • Increase heat slightly and add noodles and chicken pieces, simmer 10 minutes until noodles are done.
  • Whisk the flour into 1/2 cup water until well blended. Add to simmering broth, stirring to combine and simmer 5-10 minutes until broth thickens.
  • Season to taste and serve over fluffy mashed potatoes.

GREAT GRANS BEEF & NOODLES

Substitute chuck roast for chicken.

“MOCK” KENTUCKY HOT BROWN SLIDERS ~ BLOG 366.37

This sandwich was created in 1926 in Louisville Kentucky by Fred Schmidt of the Brown hotel as an alternative to ham and egg sandwiches for late night diners. It became their second signature sandwich. I’ve only ever heard it called as a Kentucky Hot Brown, but I have read that it is also known as a Louisville Hot Brown.

Traditionally this is served hot and open faced on a thick white bread toast and has turkey breast, bacon and creamy mornay sauce and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Originally it was not served with the bacon, but added soon after. Variations can include ham, pimientos and tomatoes. It is then broiled a few minutes until the toast is crisp and sauce is bubbly and browning.

The Kentucky Hot Brown became a favorite choice of 95% of the Brown Hotel’s restaurant customers. It became a Louisville area specialty favorite sandwich and is popular throughout Kentucky as a whole long after the hotel shut its doors in 1971. The hotel reopened in 1985.

This sandwich was featured on a 2013 episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay where he actually lost, but barely. 😀 Bobby competed against Joe and John Castro, brother chefs at the Brown Hotel.

There are also a few “oddball” variations out there. For a while there was a “cold brown” that was either sliced chicken or turkey with hard boiled egg, lettuce and tomato served open face on rye bread covered in thousand island dressing.

There are 2 other versions one being the Prosperity sandwich with origins in St. Louis at the Mayfair hotel also in the 1920’s and still served in the area today as well as the Turkey Devonshire served in the Pittsburg Pennsylvania area in the 1930’s.

I started making Kentucky Hot Brown sandwiches about 20 years ago, but had no idea of the extensive history at that time. Now fast forward to a magazine I found recently trying to update this to a slider version using King’s Hawaiian rolls. I have to admit I wasn’t sure about this recipe, but decided to try it anyway.

The recipe I found was okay, but I have to agree to disagree on these being a version of the original Hot Brown because the recipe used the sweet brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and butter topping that just didn’t taste anywhere close to what this sandwich is about.

I have renamed this recipe AND adjusted the ingredients to try and keep them more traditional, ut yet an actual sandwich. The author used a “slice of cheese” to replace the Mornay sauce and there just isn’t any comparison to me.

“MOCK” KENTUCKY HOT BROWN SLIDERS
1 tray King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls
2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise
6-8 slices thick sliced deli turkey
8 slices bacon, cooked crisp
2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
6-8 slices Gruyere or Baby Swiss cheese, optional
1/4 cup FINELY grated Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to broil.
  • Slice entire package of rolls in half horizontally. Do not individually slice rolls.
  • Arrange bottom half in a baking dish LIGHTY sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Spread mayonnaise on roll bottoms.
  • Arrange turkey on top evenly.
  • Arrange bacon slices on top of the turkey evenly.
  • Arrange a single layer of thick cut tomatoes on top of the bacon.
  • Arrange cheese slices next OR a layer of Mornay sauce.
  • Broil 2-3 minutes until toasted and cheese is bubbly.
  • Top if desired with sweet roll tops and eat as a messy sandwich or eat as intended with a knife and fork.

MORNAY SAUCE
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 ½ cups WHOLE milk
pinch FRESH ground nutmeg
FRESH ground salt and black pepper, to taste
2 ounces of a hard cheese, grated (Gruyère, Swiss, Cheddar, Parmesan)

  • Heat a medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Melt butter.
  • Whisk in flour until golden.
  • Slowly add the milk while constantly whisking.
  • Bring the sauce to a SLOW boil and immediately reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the sauce burn by whisking frequently.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the nutmeg, salt and pepper, stirring well. At this point you have a Bechamel sauce. Once you add the cheese it becomes your Mornay sauce.
  • Still off heat, add the grated cheese, whisking until all the cheese melts into the sauce making it thick and smooth.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste.

After all of this my favorite version is the casserole version I adapted from Damaris Phillips a few years ago.

COOKING THURSDAY ~ SNICKERDOODLE CHEESECAKE BARS ~ BLOG 366.18

For years many trusted name brands featured recipes on the labels – Bisquick, Campbell’s Soup, Quaker Oats, Nestles, Philadelphia Cream Cheese… These days the recipes are fewer and farther between. I did decide to try a recent Philadelphia Cream Cheese recipe and found it exceptionally flavorless. A few tweaks later and we love the recipe.

SNICKERDOODLE CHEESECAKE BARS
CRUST
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons QUALITY cinnamon
3/4 cup COLD butter

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Line 8 inch baking pan with foil so that it overlaps to create handles.
  • Sift together the flour, sugar and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl.
  • Use a cheese grate and grate cold butter into bowl. Use a pastry blender or your gloved hands to cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse sand. Reserve 1/3 of the mixture to use as topping.
  • Press remaining dough into baking pan.
  • Bake 20 minutes until lightly browned.

FILLING
1/2 cup sugar
16 ounces QUALITY cream cheese
1 tablespoon PURE vanilla
Seeds from one vanilla bean
1/2 teaspoon PURE almond paste
1/4 cup sour cream
2 LARGE eggs

  • While crust is baking prepare the filling.
  • Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, vanilla seeds and almond paste together until well blended.
  • Add sour cream and eggs one at a time, mixing on low JUST until blended.
  • Set aside until crust is done baking.

TOPPING
2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon.

  • Mix sugar and cinnamon together.

ASSEMBLY

  • When crust is out of the oven pour the filling into crust.
  • Top with reserved crumb topping.
  • Top with cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes until center of cheesecake is almost set.
  • Cool COMPLETELY.
  • Refrigerate for 4-5 hours before cutting and serving.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH ~ BLOG 366.9

This easy recipe is my version and isn’t the traditional Hungarian dish where bone-in pieces of chicken are used (that recipe is below), but we prefer the skinless, boneless cuts to not have to deal with the bones. It is still cooked in a delicious sauce loaded with paprika and sour cream. Using Greek yogurt is certainly not traditional either, but is definitely a workable substitute for lower fat and calories.

HUNGARIAN CHICKEN PAPRIKASH

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
½ cup all-purpose flour
2-3 tablespoons QUALITY Hungarian paprika (see notes)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoon butter
1 cup sweet onion, chopped
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 cups homemade chicken bone broth
1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

  • Combine flour, 2 tablespoon paprika, salt and pepper in a dredge pan.
  • Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture. NOTE: DO NOT THROW OUT FLOUR you will use it later.
Heat butter in large Dutch or skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add chicken pieces and brown 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Remove chicken and set aside, keeping warm.
  • Add onion, cayenne pepper and 1 tablespoon paprika, saute 2-3 minutes until the onion is tender.

  • Add chicken stock.
  • Bring to SLOW boil and then reduce heat, cover and simmer 5-10 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked through. 

  • To the leftover flour, add ½ cup sour cream and ½ cup of liquid from skillet. Mix until smooth.
  • Add mixture back into pot and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasional.
  • Return chicken pieces to the sauce.
  • Turn heat off and add remaining sour cream, stirring constantly.
  • The sauce should be a very pale orange color.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTES:

  • Chicken thighs contribute another layer of richness to the dish.
  • Regular paprika has almost no heat level whereas Hungarian paprika has a serious kick to it. Adjust the type and amount of paprika based on your tolerance for the heat level.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH Yield: 6 servings slightly adapted from MOLLY YEH

Level: Easy Total: 35 min Active: 35 min

4 tablespooel.ns unsalted butter
2 large onions, thinly sliced
FRESH ground Kosher salt and black pepper
4 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
2 tablespoons Hungarian SWEET paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1 1/2 cups homemade chicken bone broth
Pinch of sugar
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Crusty bread, for serving, optional

  • Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan.
  • Add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, paprika and cayenne and cook, stirring 2-3 minutes, until dark red in color.
  • Add the flour and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the broth and sugar and cook2-3 minutes until the sauce is thickened.
  • Add the chicken to the sauce and bring to a SLOW simmer.
  • Cook over medium-low heat 10-15 minutes until the chicken is tender. Stir in the heavy cream and vinegar.
  • Taste and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Serve with crusty bread if desired!

MEXICAN STREET CORN CASSEROLE ~ BLOG 365.339

MEXICAN STREET CORN CASSEROLE serves 4-6 adapted from Jet Tila

CASSEROLE
5 to 6 ears fresh corn, shucked and kernels cut from the cobs
4 slices bacon, crisp and crumbled
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons canned chipotle in adobo
1 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
6 ounces Cotija, crumbled
1/4 cup sliced scallions
1/4 cup chopped FRESH parsley

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine the corn, sour cream, mayonnaise, adobo, chili powder, garlic salt, salt, pepper, bacon pieces and 3 ounces Cotija.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish, then bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until bubbling on the edges.

CHIPOTLE CREAM DRIZZLE
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon canned chipotle in adobo, plus more if desired
Zest and juice of 1 lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotles, lime zest and juice in a blender. Add more chipotle, if desired.
  • Season well with salt and pepper.
  • Place in a squeeze bottle.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Garnish with the scallions, parsley, remaining 3 ounces Cotija and a drizzle of the chipotle cream.

BROCCOLI CHICKEN DIVAN ~ BLOG 365.192

Another “vintage” recipe from my friend’s grandmother’s “antique” recipe box. This type of recipe was once a staple of the working mother in many American households. I believe it was originally found on the back of a Campbell’s soup can label. I also adapted her recipe “slightly” to add a bit more flavor and texture. Quite a tasty and crunchy satisfying meal. 😀 I made this in honor of my late brother-in-law. He would have LOVED this casserole. Today would have been his birthday.

BROCCOLI CHICKEN DIVAN

2-3 small broccoli crowns, trimmed, cut into florets and rinsed
1 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken pieces
1 can Campbell’s broccoli cheese soup
1/3 cup milk
1/2 + 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup small diced red onion
2 cups prepared rice
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoon Panko bread crumbs

  • Grease a shallow 2-3 quart baking dish.
  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Blanch broccoli florets 3-4 minutes in boil water, drain WELL and set aisde.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the milk and condensed soup until smooth.
  • Fold in 1/2 cup cheese, onion, chicken pieces, rice and broccoli florets.
  • Season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Arrange mixture into baking dish, spread smooth.
  • Sprinkle top with remaining cheese.
  • Mix Panko crumbs into melted butter until well mixed.
  • Sprinkle on top of cheese.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until cheese is melted, casserole is heated through and bread crumbs have turned golden.

NORWEGIAN MEATBALLS ~ BLOG 365.167

This is another recipe from an old antique recipe box that became an instant keeper for our family. The flavorful meatballs and light delicate sauce make this a refreshing meal for any time of year.

NORWEGIAN MEATBALLS
Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Rest Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hr 30 minutes Servings: 12

MEATBALLS
1 cup torn croissants
½ cup WHOLE milk
2 LARGE eggs
1 LARGE onion, FINELY grated
+/- 1 tablespoon FRESH grated ginger
+/- 1 tablespoon FRESH ground salt, to taste
1-2 teaspoons FRESH ground nutmeg, to taste
2-3 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1 ½ teaspoons FRESH ground black pepper
3 pounds LEAN ground beef

  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Grease a LARGE baking sheet. 

  • Combine bread pieces, milk, eggs, onion, ginger, salt, nutmeg, garlic, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Let stand 10 minutes until bread absorb all the milk.
  • Stir until just mixed and add ground beef mixing until well blended.
  • Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on the prepared pan. 

  • Bake 20-30 minutes in the preheated oven until browned.
  • Set meatballs aside to rest while you prepare the gravy.

GRAVY
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons minced onion
5 tablespoons WONDRA flour
4 cups HOMEMADE beef broth
½ cup sour cream
1 dash cayenne pepper
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté onion until tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Whisk in flour and cook 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
  • SLOWLY add broth; cooking and stirring gravy 5-10 minutes until smooth and thickened. Blend in cream, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. 

  • Gently layer cooked meatballs into the gravy and SLOWLY simmer, heating through 5 minutes or so, but DO NOT BOIL. 

  • Serve over wide egg noodles, mashed potatoes or rice.

NOTES: These meatballs freeze wonderfully!

SWEET & SOUR BEANS ~ BLOG 365.139

This is a wonderful recipe that I found when my friend lent me her mom and grandma’s recipe boxes to go through. It has SOOOO MUCH flavor and has quickly become a favorite way to prepare beans. She thought it was her mom Maxine’s recipe, but when I showed her the recipe she said the writing was too neat, so we’ll never know.

SWEET & SOUR BEANS
1 tablespoon butter
2 cans great northern/Cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
2 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1 LARGE shallot or SMALL onion, chopped small
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup homemade chicken broth
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 small can chopped green chiles, drained WELL

  • Melt butter in small skillet.
  • Add shallots/onions, sauteing until tender.
  • Add vinegar, brown sugar and chicken stock, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
  • Add beans and green chiles, stirring to coat well.
  • Simmer 10-15 minutes.
  • Fold in bacon JUST before serving.