Chili con Carne

Not only did I wake up cold this morning, but I woke up cold, with out blankets! I had no idea that today the temperature was going to drop! So I was completely unprepared and totally not ready for the cold to pop up on me as it did this morning. I didn't even have the heat on nor did I have socks or long pants on!

So it was only natural for me to want something nice and hot to eat. Around this afternoon, I had a craving for Chili. Something I haven't had in some time. And I don't generally ever eat Chili except on cold days like today. Chili sounded perfect.

Its finished cooking at the right time as well. The temperature was dropping again and I was starting to get really cold again. So it finished at the right time. And was very tasty and comforting. To make things better, I got to enjoy this meal with blankets by a fireplace! Pure comfort!

Recipe

1 pd. lean ground beef
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. baking cocoa
1/2 tsp. red pepper sauce
1 can (28 oz.) dried tomatoes, undrained
1 can (19 oz.) red kidney beans, undrained
Shredded Cheese (optional)


1. Cook beef and garlic in 3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; Drain.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients except beans. Heat to a boil; Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in beans. Heat to a boil; Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until to desired thickness. Serve in a bowl with shredded cheese if desired.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Requested by my father, dinner was Spaghetti. I don't remember the last time we even had spaghetti, but it was good to of had it, being that we hadn't had it in a long time. Now, there are a lot of people out there that particularly like angel hair pasta. Me, as well as my family, happen to not like that kind of pasta at all. It's to thin in our opinions. So, we either make spaghetti with fettuccine or thick spaghetti pasta. We went with thick; Just they way we love it!

Recipe

1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti pasta
1/2 ground chuck
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup mushrooms
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. italian seasoning
1/2 tbsp. basil
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1. In a skillet, cook meat till no longer pink.

2. Add tomato sauce, mushrooms, salt, pepper, worcestershire sauce and seasoning. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Cook pasta as directed. Drain.

4. Serve meat sauce on top of pasta.

Porcupine Meatballs

When I was a kid, there was always one things that I was always excited about having for dinner; Porcupine Meatballs. Meatballs with rice! I mean, come out! How awesome is that! So, when my mother would cook, aside from those kid cuisines that every kid loves, and it was Porcupine Meatballs, I would get so excited that I would fun around the house screaming in happiness. I was like a child high on sugar! I've always love them and even though they are meat and I'm not a big fan of meat, these are beyond delicious!

Sadly, I hadn't had these in a loooong time. I can't even remember the last time I had them. And the other day, out of the blue, my mother asked me to make these for dinner. My eyes grew large because I seriously forgot out these meatballs. Thats how long I haven't had them! So when she mentioned them, I was all for it! And I am so flipping happy she asked me to cook these because they packed a bunch of deliciousness! I was very satisfied and happy :]

Recipe

2 lbs. ground beef
1 box of white grain rice
1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
1 egg
Pepper
Parsley
Worcestershire Sauce


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place ground beef in a large bowl. Crack egg in put atop meat. Put in desired amount of pepper, parsley and Worcestershire sauce (I put a lot). Put in 1/2 to 3/4 of the rice in the bowl. Push all of ingredients together till pushed evenly.
3. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch balls (You can make larger if desired). Place in a pan and continue forming balls till all meat is gone. Place in the oven.
4. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Meanwhile, cook remaining rice. Put a little Worcestershire sauce on the rice to give it a little flavor.
5. Take out the meatballs and pour sauce on top. (You can do this before or after. I prefer after they're cooked.) Serve on top of rice.

My Favorite Lasagna

Lasagna; A layer of pasta, cheese, ricotta, cottage cheese and sauce. Also known as my absolute favorite comfort meal! Ever since I tried lasagna, I've been addicted to it! For the longest of time, I was completely afraid of trying it. I grew up being afraid to try it because I saw how my mother made it; and being a little kid, your usually always afraid of trying new things. And all the things she put in it made me think it was disgusting! But when I finally tried it a few year ago; Oh my god was I addicted! It being as heavy as it is, I limit it to only having it every once and awhile and when I finally have some, I'm am the happiest girl ever!!

Recipe

8 ounces lasagna noodles [uncooked]
1 pound lean ground chuck
1 pound italian sausage
1 jar (16 ounces) Tomato and Basil sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
6 slices of provolone cheese

1. Cook sausage till fully cooked. Drain. Set aside.
2. Cook chuck till fully cooked. Drain. Set aside.
3. Preheat the oven to 350' degrees
4. In a large bowl, mix the tomato sauce, sausage and ground chuck in. Put the cottage cheese in the mixture.
5. Start layering the pasta in a dish. Lay 4 layers of lasagna noodles on the dish. Pour a layer of the tomato meat sauce on top. Put ricotta cheese in 6 spot across from each other. Put a layer of mozzarella cheese on top. Lay 4 lasagna noodles on top. Repeat 2-3 more times. Put foil on top of dish. Put the dish in to the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
6. Take dish out and take the foil off. Lay 6 slices of provolone cheese on top. Put back in to the oven for an additional 30 minutes.
7. Take and of oven and let cool till warm.