A few things I've been reading

First off, cancer sucks.  I've lost several people to it, the one most recently being my husband's aunt.  His other aunt is fighting cancer as well.  An online friend passed away last night.  WTH?  Can we get a break?

I came across Susan's blog recently.  Even though I don't know her personally, she just started her journey and could use any prayers/mojo people can muster.

Second, if you need a LAUGH and haven't come across this/seen it in the blogesphere...this is some of the funniest stuff I've read in a long, long time!  Like snort your coffee through your nose type of funny.

Hope you all have a good day!

Bacon-Cheeseburger Pizza

Monday night's dinner was Bacon-Cheeseburger Pizza.  DH thought it was "pretty good!", I liked it!  Quick and easy and I think it's kid-friendly, perfect for busy moms or dads!

Bacon-Cheeseburger Pizza
1 can pizza dough (I use Pillsbury thin crust)
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
Pizza sauce (a cup or so) or use a can of it from the store
4 slices crisp, cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1. Unroll pizza dough on a greased baking sheet. Stab with fork a few times (helps prevent air bubbles).  Bake in a 400° F oven for 5-8 minutes or until lightly browned.

2. While crust is baking, in a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender.  Drain.  Stir in pizza sauce with the meat.  Spread meat sauce on crust.  Sprinkle with cheese. Top with bacon (and red pepper flakes if you want).  Bake about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

The Best Pizza Sauce (from Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

*Makes enough for 2 16-18 inch pizzas

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender and blend until desired consistency. All the seasonings can be modified depending on taste – add what you like! 

This sauce freezes well!  I love that it is no cook and you just add seasonings to taste!

 

Greek Meat Sauce for Hot Dogs

Go check out the recipes from TMTT, there's a great group of bloggers there that share some yummy recipes! 

I LOVE this sauce on hot dogs.  It's a family recipe, from my MIL whose family owned many restaurants here in PA.  I used 1/2 lb ground beef for the Bacon-Cheeseburger pizza, so I whipped this up for dinner tonight!

To get the right consistency, it is important you do NOT brown the meat first.

Greek Meat Sauce for Hot Dogs

1/2 lb ground beef (I use 80/20)
1/2 large onion, finely chopped (I whirl in my food processor)
6oz can tomato paste
1.5 cups of water
2 tsp chili powder
A shake or two of cayenne pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
1 shake Worcestershire sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste (I usually use garlic salt and regular salt)

Heat saucepan over medium heat.  Put about 1 tsp or so of oil in your pan, when heated, add onions and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.  Turn the heat to low, add the tomato paste, then the meat, the water and stir, breaking up the meat completely.  Your goal is to have little bits of meat.  Add the rest of the seasonings, adjusting to taste.  I personally add more cayenne and chili powder cause that's how I like it!  Simmer for a good hour.

I think the best way to eat this sauce is to grill or sear the hot dogs until they are brown, spread mustard on a toasted/buttered bun and top with onions and cheese.

Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday!

Happy Menu Plan Monday! * are recipes I will post as I make them!

For LOTS of great ideas, visit Laura and the rest of the gang!

For June 27, 2011 thru July 3, 2011

Monday, June 27

Bacon-Cheeseburger Pizza*

 

Tuesday, June 28

Greek Sauce Hot Dogs*

Fries

 

Wednesday, June 29

Beef & Black Bean Enchiladas

Thursday, June 30

Crockpot Cube Steak w/ Gravy*

Mashed Potatoes

Rolls

Friday, July 1

Pizza Casserole*

Salad

Saturday, July 2

Crockpot Italian Chicken Pasta* ( I cook this in the crockpot.  I double the sauce ingredients, except the wine.  I add a 1/2 c of milk.  I use cream of mushroom soup instead of golden.  I also saute fresh mushrooms and add them at the end.)  Small Fish loves this, but hates mushrooms, so thus the saute.  I just top our bowls with them.

Rolls

Sunday, July 3

BBQ Chicken (I love this sauce!  We use thighs and drummies, parboil the chicken on the stove and finish off on the grill with the sauce.)

"Fried" Potatoes

 

Breakfast/Snacks/Etc.

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies (For the PB filling, I use less than the 2 cups of powdered sugar (maybe 1.25-1/5 c) and more of the peanut butter--pretty much I mix it to taste.)

Easy Oven Baked Beans and Pork Chops

The other night's dinner was a new recipe...Easy Oven Baked Beans and Pork Chops.  I cooked it all day in my crockpot for a simple, filling dinner.  Big Fish didn't really care for it--he is not a big fan of baked beans, but I though it was 3 out of 5 stars.  I added a jalapeno to kick it up a notch.

A few days off

Hi all,

I'm taking/have taken a few days off from the blogasphere as my DH's aunt passed away.  It wasn't unexpected, just very sad. 

Why are there no pictures??

It's next on my list, I promise!  I need to figure out the best way to go about it.  :-)