Recipe of the Week – Meatball Sandwiches
(From the Cooking for the Kids Collection at emealsforyou.com)
Meatball Sandwich
Okay, so you know you are making turkey with all the fixings but what about the other meals for your extended family weekend. We are having the full Thanksgiving dinner here. One son and family is coming from Chicago and another is living down here. The turkey is the easy part, now what do I serve when they get here and what about the rest of the weekend. As of this writing we still don’t know what time the Chicago group is scheduled to arrive. As meal planners we like to anticipate and plan meals; our guests on the other hand, wing it. We thought about the meatball sandwiches for the night of their arrival as it is something you can keep warm in the oven and serve at a moment’s notice accompanied by a salad; besides the kids will eat it.
The 22 lb turkey awaits its turn as the main act in the frig until Thursday. I’m not much for leftover turkey so Friday’s meal looks like ribs.
Meatball Sandwiches
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 6 |
| Category: | Cooking for the Kids |
| Meal: | other (General) |
| 3 | Tb | olive oil, divided |
| 1 | medium | onion, minced |
| 1.5 | lb | beef, ground |
| 0.75 | lb | pork, ground |
| 2 | Tb | garlic powder |
| 1 | tsp | oregano, dried |
| 1 | Tb | salt, kosher |
| 1 | tsp | pepper, fresh ground |
| 1 | slices | bread, day-old |
| 0.25 | cup | milk, 2 % |
| 32 | oz | tomato sauce |
| 1 | medium | bread, Italian |
| 2 | Tb | cheese, Romano, grated |
Heat 1/3 of the oil in a sauté pan, add onions and sauté until slightly golden. Remove and cool. In a large bowl mix the ground beef and pork, adding in the garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper. In a separate bowl place the day old bread and the milk. Allow to sit for 3 minutes. Squeeze the bread of excess milk, break into small pieces and add to the meat. Add in the onions and mix thoroughly to combine. Using a 1/8th cup ice cream scoop form the meatballs. Heat the remaining oil in the pan and add just enough meatballs to allow movement. Sauté until brown and remove to an oven-proof pan. Repeat until all the meatballs are browned. Add the tomato sauce to the oven-proof pan and place in 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Cut bread lengthwise and place meatballs on bread, cover with sauce and sprinkle the Romano on top and serve.
Note: Sprinkle 2/3 cup of grated mozzarella on top; place in broiler, open-faced, until cheese melts for a special treat.
More Cooking for the Kids at emealsforyou.com
Recipe of the Week – Garlic Roasted Shrimp with Cherry Tomatoes
(From the Appetizer Collection at emealsforyou.com)
Garlic Roasted Shrimp with Cherry Tomatoes
Garlic Roasted Shrimp with Cherry Tomatoes has become a favorite around our house. We usually have shrimp in the freezer and cherry tomatoes in the frig so when we need a quick appetizer or even a quick dinner this is our go to recipe. When company drops by I can whip up a batch in less than 10 minutes. As versatile as they are good; I can serve the shrimp as small plates, put them on toast points or serve them over pasta as a complete meal.
Buy the shrimp on sale and freeze it until needed. We like the wild caught gulf shrimp but you can use any that you find in your grocery store.
Garlic Shrimp with Cherry Tomatoes
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 6 |
| Category: | Appetizer |
| Meal: | other (General) |
| 2 | Tb | oil, olive |
| 1 | lb | shrimp, deveined, shelled |
| 5 | cloves | garlic, chopped |
| 1 | cup | tomatoes, cherry |
| 2 | oz | wine, dry white |
| 1 | tsp | garlic chili sauce |
| 2 | Tb | butter, salted |
| 1 | Tb | cilantro, chopped |
| 1 | pinch | salt and pepper to taste |
Heat the olive oil in an oven-proof pan; add the shrimp, and chopped garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes, until the shrimp begins to color. Remove from heat, add the cherry tomatoes, white wine and garlic chili sauce and place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and swirl in the butter until melted; add cilantro and salt and pepper.
Note: Serve on toast points, or over rice or pasta as an entrée.
More tasty recipes at emealsforyou.com.
On a Lighter Note – Meal Planning On the Lighter Side
From the Diet Friendly Collection at emealsforyou.com
Great Grilled Chicken
Watching your weight, taking better care of your body or just simply being careful of your diet; we have the great tasting recipes to help you succeed in reaching your goal. Good for you, balanced recipes for a healthier lifestyle. The secret to success is to maintain your nutritional balance throughout the day. Three meals and two snacks evenly spaced will accomplish this. Our affiliation with registered Dietitian Lisa M. Ronco, MS RD CDN, along with our Diet Friendly 4- week plan will help you get to your health goal. Would you like an entire weekly plan to control your weight and your life? Our Careful and Carefree weekly Meal Planner, complete with shopping list; scaled down but not out Meal Plans will help you get the desired results.
Here is a sample of one day’s plan for a new you at emealsforyou.com.
Day 1 Breakfast – Spanish Omelet
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 1 |
| Category: | Diet Friendly |
| Meal: | Week 1 (Careful and Carefree MealPlans) |
| 1 | medium | egg |
| 2 | medium | egg, whites |
| 1 | pinch | salt and pepper to taste |
| 0.5 | spritz | PAM |
| 2 | medium | mushrooms, sliced |
| 1 | Tb | onions, chopped |
| 1 | Tb | peppers, jalapenos |
| 1 | small | tomatoes, plum |
| 1 | oz | ham, shaved |
| 0.5 | whole | grapefruit |
Spray pan with Pam, sauté onion, peppers and mushrooms until tender, dice tomato and add to pan along with the ham. Cook for 2 minutes, remove all to a bowl. Beat eggs and egg whites, add salt and pepper. Heat pan, pour egg mixture into pan. Push the egg from the side of the pan until it begins to set. Add mushroom mixture into half the pan, cook until done. Slide onto a plate and finish by folding the other half over the mixture, Cut grapefruit in half and plate along with eggs.
Each serving has 145 calories, 5.2g fat, 11.5g carbs, 1.8g fiber, 21g protein.
Day 1 AM Snack – Apple
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 1 |
| Category: | Diet Friendly |
| Meal: | Week 1 (Careful and Carefree MealPlans) |
| 1 | medium | apple |
Each serving has 93 calories, .5g fat,21.6g carbs, 3.8g fiber and .3g protein
Day 1 Lunch – Chicken Caesar Salad
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 1 |
| Category: | Diet Friendly |
| Meal: | Week 1 (Careful and Carefree MealPlans) |
| 0.25 | head | lettuce, Romaine |
| 0.5 | Tb | oil, olive |
| 0.5 | Tb | lemon, juice of |
| 0.5 | cloves | garlic, minced |
| 0.125 | cup | cheese, Romano, grated |
| 2 | oz | chicken, deli sliced |
| 0.5 | pinch | salt and pepper to taste |
In a large bowl place oil, lemon juice and garlic, press garlic into bowl with a wooden spoon to distribute. Whisk ingredients together. Tear (don’t cut) lettuce into small pieces, put in bowl on top of dressing, cut chicken into strips and place on lettuce. When you are ready to serve toss salad and add romano and toss again.
Each serving has 273 calories, 16.5g fat, 3.4g carbs, 1g fiber, 27.7g protein.
Day 1 PM Snack – Goldfish Crisps
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 1 |
| Category: | Diet Friendly |
| Meal: | Week 1 (Careful and Carefree MealPlans) |
| 25 | each | Goldfish Crisp |
Each serving has 110 calories, 7.2g fat, 16.5g carbs, .7g fiber, 2.9g protein.
Day 1 Dinner – Great Grilled Chicken
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 1 |
| Category: | Diet Friendly |
| Meal: | Week 1 (Careful and Carefree MealPlans) |
| 4 | oz | chicken breasts, boneless, skinless |
| 1 | oz | soy sauce, low sodium |
| 1 | oz | soda, lemon-lime sugar free |
| 1 | Tb | oil, canola |
| 0.125 | tsp | garlic, minced |
| 1 | small | potatoes, baked |
| 0.5 | Tb | butter, unsalted |
| 1 | medium | tomatoes, fresh |
| 0.5 | tsp | lemon, juice of |
| 0.5 | pinch | salt and pepper to taste |
Mix oil, soy sauce, garlic, and soda in large Zip-lock plastic bag. Put chicken breasts in marinade and marinate for at least 3 hours. Remove from marinade and grill over medium heat for 10-15 minutes per side. Chicken is done when juices run clear.
Quarter tomato, drizzle lemon juice over top and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with baked potato with butter.
Each serving has 366 calories,11g fat, 27.1g carbs, 3g fiber, 39.6g protein.
See the full 4-Week Diet Friendly Collection at emealsforyou.com.
Recipe of the Week – Roasted Seckel Pears
From the Appetizer Collection at emealsforyou.com
Roasted Seckel Pears
Our old neighbors from Chicago came for the weekend to catch up on all that has happened in the past couple of years. We were joined by the other Chicago neighbors who live down here in Cincinnati now. As travel timing issues had to be taken into account; we opted for “small plates” for dinner. Pan-seared tuna in a ginger dipping sauce, steelhead trout on cucumber slices with hollandaise sauce, mushroom caps stuffed with blue cheese and a few more were rounded out with the roasted seckel pears.
These pears are smaller than the normal size pears. Usually only available in late October and November, they are the perfect size to add a fruit to our small plate offerings. Sweet pears join with a smooth, tasty goat cheese fondant to give a punch to any dinner. They may be served as an appetizer or even a dessert. Especially good with my goat cheese ice cream.
Roasted Seckel Pears with Goat Cheese
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 8 |
| Category: | Appetizer |
| Meal: | N/A |
| 16 | medium | seckel pears |
| 3 | oz | cheese, goat |
| 2 | Tb | honey |
| 0.5 | tsp | pepper, fresh ground |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut pears in half, scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon. Place cut side down on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Place in oven for 6 -8 minutes, until the pears are tender. Remove to a serving platter, cut side up, spoon a dollop of goat cheese in the center, dust with fresh cracked black pepper and drizzle with honey.
More small plate ideas at emealsforyou.com
Recipe of the Week – Brownies
From the Cooking for the Kids Collection at emealsforyou.com
Teresa's Brownie
I am not a big fan of brownies. To me they are like a long car ride to see the leaves change; okay once in a while but not on a steady diet. But when that once in a while hits, these brownies, named after my original partner on the website, emealsforyou.com more than hit the spot. As you can see we put them on the Cooking for the Kids recipe collection on the site mainly because brownies are for kids. So why not be a kid for a day and bake some brownies.
Teresa’s Brownies
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 8 |
| Category: | Cooking for the Kids |
| Meal: | other (General) |
| 4 | oz | chocolate, semi-sweet bits |
| 0.75 | cup | butter, unsalted |
| 2 | cup | sugar, granulated |
| 4 | large | egg |
| 1 | tsp | vanilla |
| 1 | cup | flour, all-purpose |
| 1 | cup | walnuts, chopped |
| 0.125 | tsp | salt, kosher |
Melt butter and chocolate. Stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix, add flour and walnuts, stir until blended. Pour into a 13 X 9 greased baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until done; 30 to 35 minutes.
More great recipes for the kids and beyond at emealsforyou.com.
Recipe of the Week – Siclian (Pan) Pizza
From the Cooking for the Kids Collection at emealsforyou.com
Sicilian (Pan) Pizza
We are pretty much traditionalist when it comes to pizza. Thin crust, Jersey style is our choice. Even after spending years in Chicago, home of the much acclaimed stuffed or deep dish pizza, we still choose thin crust. That said, every once in a while we feel like going in a different direction. I haven’t made a Sicilian pizza in a long time so I guess it was about time to give it another try.
The main difference from thin crust is that the crust is thicker. Making one big pizza is visually satisfying and while more filling than thin crust just as good. Load it up with your favorite toppings and let the party begin.
Sicilian ( Pan ) Pizza
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 12 |
| Category: | Cooking for the Kids |
| Meal: | other (General) |
| 1 | recipe | pizza dough |
| 2 | Tb | corn meal |
| 4 | oz | tomato sauce |
| 1 | lb | cheese, mozzarella, shredded |
| 1 | cup | mushrooms, sliced |
| 4 | oz | sausage. sweet pork |
| 4 | oz | olives, mixed, pitted |
| 3 | Tb | cheese, Romano, grated |
| 2 | Tb | oil, olive |
Make pizza dough according to the recipe. Sprinkle corn meal over the sheet pan. Roll dough out to the size of the sheet pan (17 X 13). Put dough on sheet pan and push the dough towards the edges to overlap the dough onto the rim of the pan. Cover with thin layer of tomato sauce, leaving about 3/4” from the edge. Evenly spread the mozzarella cheese on top. Place mushrooms on 1/3rd of the pizza; remove sausage from casing and spread onto 1/3rd of the pizza; spread olives onto the remaining 1/3rd of the pizza. Sprinkle on the Romano cheese. Drizzle the oil on top.
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place the pan pizza in the center of the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the crust begins to color. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes. Cut and serve.
Hint: For parties make the pizza ahead of time, freeze and bake when ready to serve.
Note: Be sure to add the pizza dough recipe to your shopping list.
More great party ideas at emealsforyou.com
Recipe of the Week – Bean Soup
From the Soup Collection at emealsforyou.com
Bean Soup
The calendar says Fall but the weather outside says shorts. This is the time of the year that I begin to get into great soups and hearty meals in my kitchen. While I enjoy the weather reprieve I still look forward to some of those good basic meals that make the cooler weather seem almost worth while.
With this thought in mind I decided to make a huge pot of bean soup on Sunday. You know, just enough for lunch, a pot to take to the neighbors and three containers for my freezer. In this house it doesn’t make much sense to make a small pot of anything. Anyway the soup was really good, it hit the spot and then we took a walk around the neighborhood; wearing shorts and no socks.
Bean Soup
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 4 |
| Category: | Soups |
| Meal: | other (General) |
| 2 | Tb | oil, olive |
| 1 | large | onions, diced |
| 1 | lb | ham, steaks |
| 2 | large | potatoes |
| 2 | large | carrots, diced |
| 2 | 15 oz can | tomatoes, diced |
| 1 | 15 oz can | beans, white, great northern |
| 1 | 15 oz can | beans, black |
| 1 | Tb | caraway seeds |
| 2 | Tb | vinegar, cider |
| 20 | oz | water |
| 2 | 15 oz can | chicken broth |
| 2 | Tb | oil, olive |
| 3 | Tb | flour |
| 2 | pinch | salt and pepper to taste |
Cut potatoes and carrots into small cubes. Heat oil in pan, add onions and ham, sauté until lightly brown, and add potatoes, broth, tomatoes, beans, water, vinegar and caraway seeds. Boil for about 10 minutes; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. Lightly toast flour in a non-stick pan, add oil and continue cooking, stirring for an additional 3 minutes to form a roux. Add some of the soup to the roux and mix, add mixture to soup and stir to mix.
More Fall pleasures at emealsforyou.com
Recipe of the Week – Chicken Paprikash and Dumplings
From the Chicken Entrée Collection at emealsforyou.com
Chicken and Dumplings
Our driving trip to the Eastern Shore of Delaware, then on to NJ and finishing up in Washington, DC was a success. While we left in hot weather, the weather turned cold and rainy the last few days. Coming back home after too many hours behind the wheel and too many dinners out I find myself embracing Fall and all that that entails in good, homemade cooking. We enjoyed a good plate of spaghetti last night and tonight I am making one of my favorites, Chicken Paprikash and dumplings. Good old-fashion comfort food to get us back in the homefront mode.
These dumplings are not the puffy, dry type; these are the full-bodied, stick to your ribs, I want more type. Give this recipe a try on one of those cold, rainy days I am sure are on the way.
Chicken Paprikash
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 4 |
| Category: | Chicken Entrée |
| Meal: | New Neighbors (Share-a-Meal Plans) |
| 2 | Tb | oil, olive |
| 2 | large | chicken breasts cut in half |
| 4 | medium | chicken thighs |
| 4 | medium | chicken legs |
| 1 | large | onion, yellow ,quartered |
| 1 | 15 oz can | chicken broth |
| 2 | Tb | paprika, sweet |
| 3 | Tb | flour |
| 8 | oz | sour cream |
| 3 | Tb | water |
Place oil in large pan, brown chicken, add onions and sauté for 3 minutes. Add broth to just cover chicken, sprinkle paprika on chicken. Reduce heat to simmer, cook for 20 minutes, until chicken is tender. Remove chicken to platter. Mix flour, sour cream and water in bowl, add some of the juice from the pan to temper, add to gravy to thicken. Salt to taste. Spoon over chicken and serve with dumplings.
Dumplings
Dumplings
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 4 |
| Category: | Starch/ Pasta |
| Meal: | New Neighbors (Share-a-Meal Plans) |
| 3 | cup | flour, all-purpose |
| 0.25 | tsp | salt, table |
| 0.25 | tsp | baking powder |
| 2 | large | egg |
| 4 | oz | water, hot |
Mix flour, salt, baking powder and eggs in mixer or food processor. Add just enough water to make a loose dough. Drop teaspoonfuls into salted, boiling water. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Dumplings will float. Drain and serve.
Serve with a small side salad.
Get more great Fall recipes at emealsforyou.com
Recipe of the Week – The Best Chocolate Cake
From the Dessert Collection at emealsforyou.com
The Best Chocolate Cake
We are off on our quarterly trip to New Jersey with a quick stopover on the Delaware Eastern shore. The menu is set for the usual family meals once we get to NJ. We are planning a mixed group of meals for the family dinners. Starting off with lobster raviolis and ending up with Chicken Piccata; with some slow roasted ribs added in.
The meal ideas are easy when compared to trying to come up with desserts that hit on everyone’s favorites. My mother-in- law is easy as she likes anything chocolate. Hot fudge sundaes, profiteroles with chocolate sauce as long as it has chocolate in it she is happy. As we make a couple of desserts each night there will be plenty of leftovers; so some consideration must be given to how well the leftovers will freeze for her to have when we are back home. The chocolate cake below is probably the best chocolate cake I have had. Moist and extra chocolaty, it fits the bill nicely and due to the size there should be plenty for her to enjoy later with her many luncheon groups.
Mary’s Special Birthday Cake
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 12 |
| Category: | Dessert |
| Meal: | Other (General) |
| 3 | oz | chocolate, semi-sweet bits |
| 1.5 | cup | coffee, fresh brewed |
| 3 | cup | sugar, granulated |
| 2.5 | cup | flour, all-purpose |
| 1.5 | cup | cocoa powder, unsweetened |
| 0.75 | tsp | baking powder |
| 2 | tsp | baking soda |
| 1.25 | tsp | salt, table |
| 3 | large | egg |
| 0.75 | cup | oil, vegetable |
| 1.5 | cup | buttermilk |
| 0.75 | tsp | vanilla |
| 1 | lb | chocolate, semi-sweet bits |
| 1 | cup | cream, heavy |
| 2 | Tb | sugar, granulated |
| 2 | Tb | corn syrup, light |
| 0.25 | cup | butter, unsalted |
Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease pans (two 10 inch cake pans or three 9 inch cake pans), line bottoms with rounds of parchment paper and grease paper.
Place chocolate in a bowl and combine with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly and lemon colored (about 3 minutes ) Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well. Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well. Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Cool layers completely in pans on racks. Remove parchment paper and cool layers completely. Cake layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature. Ckae may also be frozen at this point.
Make frosting:
In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan bring cream, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over moderately low heat, whisking until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted. Cut butter into pieces and add to frosting, whisking until smooth.
Transfer frosting to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, until spreadable it may be necessary to chill frosting to spreadable consistency.
Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides. Cake keeps, covered and chilled, 3 days. Bring cake to room temperature to serve.
More really good desserts at emealsforyou.com.
Recipe of the Week – Artisan Rye Bread
From the Bread Collection at emealsforyou.com
Artisan Rye Bread
Fall is right around the corner and my food thoughts turn to soups, stews, roasted meats and of course great bread. This past weekend we were walking around Findlay Market and noticed an increase in the number of artisan bread bakers presenting their fine breads for purchase. We decided to try a rather large baguette and a loaf of half rye and half pumpernickel ( they called it marbled) from one of the new vendors.
Making great bread at home is really easy. This bread practically makes itself. Allowed to raise on the counter overnight it is ready to go into the oven the next morning providing not only a great fresh treat but also making the house smell incredible. Completing our late morning shopping we stopped at our favorite butcher shop for great ground chuck. We decided to try a bowl of their vegetable soup, sit in the sunshine and enjoy the people watching. They offered us some crackers for the soup but we had a fresh, warm baguette calling us.
Easy Rye Bread
| Complexity: | Easy |
| Serves: | 8 |
| Category: | Breads |
| Meal: | other (General) |
| 1.66 | cup | flour, all-purpose |
| 1.25 | cup | flour, rye |
| 2 | Tb | caraway seeds |
| 0.25 | tsp | yeast, dried |
| 1.5 | tsp | salt, kosher |
| 7 | oz | water |
| 3 | oz | beer |
| 1 | Tb | vinegar, white |
| 2 | spritz | PAM |
Combine flour, caraway seeds, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add water, beer and vinegar and mix thoroughly. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise at room temperature for 14 to 18 hours. Remove dough from bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough 10 -15 times. Line a round pan or basket with parchment paper. Spray parchment with PAM and place the dough on the parchment, spray the dough with the PAM. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise to double in size, about 2 hours. Pre-heat a Dutch oven in the oven at 500 degrees for ½ hour (with lid on). Remove lid and carefully, using the parchment under the dough , lower the dough into the Dutch oven, parchment and all, put lid on and lower oven temperature to 425. Bake for 30 minutes, remove lid and back an additional 10 minutes until the bread is nicely browned.
Recipe adapted from American’s Test Kitchen.
Try some of our really tasty Fall recipes at emealsforyou.com.
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