Paddy's Italian Special

Marinara Sauce:
1 TBSP EVOO
1 cup Chopped Onion
1-2 clove of Garlic Chopped Finely
½ cup red wine (dry preferably)
1 28oz can of Crushed tomatoes (I used crushed and whole peeled tomatoes in can that I crushed in my hand for more texture) use a good quality Spanish or Italian Tomato. Look for San Marzano or Cento brand.
1 tbsp fresh or dried Parsley
1tbsp fresh chopped Basil
1 tsp of crushed red pepper flake
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat olive oil and add onion turn down to medium heat. Cook for about 15 min until onion are translucent.

Add garlic and cook for 1-2 min more

Add red wine and cook until liquid is cooked out.

Add tomatoes and red pepper flake, basil and parsley. Cook on low heat (like a simmer) for 30-45 min covered. Stir every couple min. so you don’t burn the sauce.

When sauce is done season with Salt and Pepper to taste. If the sauce is too acidic (from the tomatoes) add like a tablespoon of butter. The fat will cut the acidity.

Meatballs:
½ lbs of ground pork
½ lbs ground beef
½ lbs ground veal or lamb or just do all pork and beef for a total of 1 ½ lbs of meat
½ cup grated parm
1 egg
1 tsp dried or fresh basil
1 tsp dried or fresh parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
½ cup finely chopped onion (really fine and thinly chopped)
1tsp salt
½ tsp crushed red pepper flake
Black Pepper to taste
¼ cup Panko style Plain
Bread Crumbs (this is a Japanese larger bread crumb. All grocery stores have them so don’t fret!)

Cook a little of the mix in a sauté pan to taste for seasoning. Adjust if necessary.

Mix all ingredients by hand. Fill a bowl with a little Oil and dip your fingers in (this is so the meat doesn’t stick). Roll balls to desired shape Place in a baking pan. You can refrigerate for bake right away. Bake at 400 degrees for like 20min.

Garlic Bread:

1 stick of Butter
2-3 Garlic Cloves rough chop
1 sprig fresh rosemary

Melt all ingredients on stove top on low heat.

Slice bread and dip top of bread in mix. Top with Shave Parm and bake until light golden.

Serve with whatever pasta you desire!

Ciao!!!

My First Beef Stew

I did it! I made my first beef stew and if I can do it, so can you!

Ingredients :

-2 lbs. beef stew chunks
-1/2 cup flour
-1 1/2 cup beef broth
-1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
-1 tsp. paprika
-4-5 carrots peeled and sliced into circles
-3 red potatoes diced into chunks (with skin)
-1 large onion chopped (i used a white onion)
-1-2 stalks of celery chopped
-1 bay leaf
-3 oz. tomato paste
-1 tsp. garlic powder
-1 1/2 tsp. salt
-1/2 tsp. pepper

Mix It Up:

-Place thawed meat in crock pot.

-Mix flour, salt and pepper and sprinkle all over meat and stir.

-Add all other ingredients, stir, mixing well.

-Cook on Low 8-12 hrs.

The key is serving this with crusty Italian bread for dipping! If you prefer your stew thick, you can add more flour. I read the ingredients wrong and added 1 cup of flour more than I needed, but it still came out delicious! Don't be afraid change recipes to your taste. And ALWAYS remember to taste as you go!

Breakfast Casserole

Get ready to bite into my new favorite casserole. Even though there's cheese and tater tots, it's so worth trying! I made this as an alternate to the "normal" dinner. Kids will love this too!

Ingredients:

-(Optional) 1 1b. ground sausage, ham, bacon or I used 3-4 ground veggie burgers
-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
-1 1/4 cups milk
-8 eggs
-1 lb frozen tater tots
-1 tbsp brown mustard
-parsley
-dried onion flakes
-salt & pepper

Mix It Up :

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-Spread meat or veggie burger evenly on bottom of 9 X 13 baking dish

-Spread cheese on top

-Beat eggs, milk and seasonings in a bowl. Pour over meat and cheese. (You can keep going or stop and refrigerate over night at this point.)

-Top with frozen tater tots

-Bake for 45 min.

Yum! Serve with toast and oj for the ultimate breakfast casserole!