Pasta Shell with Spicy Jalapeno Sauce

• 4 Garlic cloves
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 jalapeno (seeded and chopped fine)
• 8 plum tomatoes, cut into at least quarters
• 3 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/3 lb pasta shells (I luv Barilla!)
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

Sauté garlic in oil until golden.  Add jalapeno and sauté for 1 or 2 minutes.

Add tomato, 1 tsp salt and the pepper.  Cook partially covered 10 – 12 minutes

Bring pot of water to boil and add remainging salt and the shells.  Boil 7-9 minutes or until just tender.

Drain pasta shells and add to the simmering sauce.  Toss to combine and coat the shells.  Add cilantro and toss lightly again.

Remove from heat and serve.

 

Stuffed ‘mators

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 med tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly oil baking sheet with 1/2 tsp oil.

Cut tomatoes horizontally and remove the seeds.  Place it on the cookie sheet, cut side up (like a little bowl)

Drizzle  1/2 tsp olive oil into the hollow halves.

In a bowl, mix: oregano, thyme, parsley, bread crumbs, cheeses, salt and pepper.

Using a large spoon, fill the mators.  Do NOT pack it down.  You want it loose.

drizzle remaining olive oil on top of the filling.

Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.

Grans Mexican Cornbread

This cornbread is so good, it is my Gran’s absolute favorite.  You can use less jalapenos if you don’t like heat. :)

1 cup corn meal
1 cup sweet milk
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs beaten
3 jalapenos (de-seeded!)
1/3 cup cream style corn
1 onion diced

Combine all ingredients.  Make sure your jalapenos have bee deseeded or they will burn your mouth off!  lol…    Mix well.  Bake in a hot greased skillet for 35 minutes @ 425.

Cheese n Spinach dip

• 1 10-oz package chopped frozen spinach, thawed, drained
• 8-oz Velveeta cheese {cubed}
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4-ounces Philadelphia (or Neufchâtel)cream cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives

 

Combine all ingredients (except olives) in crockpot.   Cook on LOW for abt 1 hour. After the first hour, stir well making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the crockpot, and then on LOW for 1 hour more.  Stir in the olives right before serving.

Great dip for raw veggies and even CHIPS!  I love it with TOSTITOS!

Southern Tuna Patties

If you’ve ever been to any state that considers itself a southern state, then you have no doubt had a fried patty of some sort.  This recipe is very versatile and works great with Gator, Salmon, and even Tuna!   Our entire family loves Tuna Patties!

This recipe is for a family of 4 so you’ll have to work it out for your peeps.  :)

• 3-4 cans of Tuna (packed in water.  Drained)
• 1 eggs
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1/2 – 1 cup bread crumbs  (this depends on how wet your tuna is!)
• Dill Weed
• Pinch garlic
• 2 pinches parsley flakes
• pinch of pepper

Preheat some oil in a pan.  I usually use Vegetable Oil, but have used Olive Oil before. 

Mix all  ingredients until you get a firm enough mix to hold a patty shape.

Fry patties until golden. Flip and brown the other side. 

Once both sides are golden, remove from oil and drain on a paper towel.

Green Beans

My favorite Green Beans!

• 2 cans French Cut Green Beans
• 1 small purple onion (sliced)
• tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
• pinch garlic salt
• Bacon Crumbles (or store bought Bacon Bits!)
• Salt and Pepper  (a few shakes)

In a pan combine all ingredients (I use a wok).   Cover and sautee/simmer until most of the juices are gone.  (10-15 minutes).  The onions should be completely tender.

EZ Sausage and Tator Bake

This is one of my families favorite meals, and it’s SUPER easy!  One of the few meals my ENTIRE family enjoy.

• 2 Beef Sausages
• 1 Onion
• Potatoes (peeled and cut up, abt 6-7 med, enough to fill pan)
• seasoning  - OPTIONAL

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.    In a 9 x 13 cake pan,  put a layer of potatoes.  Slice up sausages and layer them on the potatoes, slice onion and layer on sausages, fill pan with remainder of potatoes.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, or Seasoned Salt if you like.  The juices from the sausage will seep into the potatoes seasoning them, so you really do not need to add ANY seasonings if you don’t want to.  Drizzle with abt a tablespoon of water.  Cover with foil, and bake for abt an hour (just until tators are tender)  Be careful to not over cook because the potatoes will turn to moosh.