Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Penna with Sausage and Red Bell Pepper Sauce

This recipe is quick and easy, but tastes and looks like you spent ALL DAY in the kitchen!

  • 1 package of sausage (I use Johnsonville Italian Sausage) – deskinned
  • 1 red bell pepper – deseeded and chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper – deseeded and chopped
  • 1 large tomato – chopped
  • 1 onion (yellow or white) – chopped
  • 1 1-lb box of penne pasta
  • 1 jar of traditional spaghetti sauce
  • olive oil – as needed
  • dried basil
  • garlic salt (I use Garlic  Salt with Parsley)
  • 1/4 cup grated or shredded parmesan

In a large pot, fix penne as suggested on package.

Meanwhile, in a DEEP skillet put about a teaspoon of olive oil and heat on med/high.  Sprinkle with a little garlic and basil.  Add in the meat from inside the sausage casings and allow to brown. 

Once the sausage is almost all the way brown, drain off most of the “fat”.  Return meat to skillet and add in: bells, onion, abt a half tablespoon of dried basil. 

Sprinkle with garlic and simmer until the veggies brighten (tender crisp).  Once the veggies have peaked, add in diced tomatoes.  Simmer 3-4 minutes stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle with Parmesan.

 

You can actually serve this as is, which is AMAZING as an appetizer with toasted asiago or bagguetts!
OR
you can make it more saucy for the MAIN COURSE by adding a jar of plain spaghetti sauce. 

Great served with garlic toast and a salad!

This recipe makes enough to feed a family of 4 with enough leftovers for another night.  Freeze up the leftover sauce for an easy night of pasta later down the road!

Friday, March 11, 2011

EZ Chocolate Pudding

 

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My favorite chocolate pudding recipe.  =)

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  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 2 3/4 cups ice cold milk
  • 2 tbsp butter or margarine
  • 1 tsp vanilla (a capful)

In a pan, mix together all of the dry ingredients.  Place on MEDIUM heat and stir in the milk. 03102011533

Stir constantly until the mixture begins to boil and it will be thick enough to coat the bottom of a spoon.   Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter.

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Let begin to cool & serve warm.

*I sprinkle a couple of chocolate chips on the top to make it cute.  =)

look!  Its poop soup! haha.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Arbys Sauce – homemade

I love, love, LOVE Arby’s Sauce. LOVE IT.  Especially for dipping my fries into. LOL!  After my “supplier” cut me off from sauce packets, I went on a quest to find a recipe.  This is the closest I’ve come to tasting like the real stuff.

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (I use the LUISIANA Brand)

In a small bowl combine the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  Mix well.

In a small saucepan mix the ketchup, water, and Tabasco sauce.  Turn heat to medium and stir in the dry mixture.  I like to use a whisk.   Mix constantly until the sauce begins to boil.  Will take about 5-10 minutes depending on your stove.

Remove the pan from the burner, and cover with a lid.  Let sit until cooled. About 10 minutes.

Pour into a container with a lid, or a small jar with lid, and refrigerate.

Like any condiment, this will stay good a month or so.