Primo Pasta Sauce

Primo Pasta Sauce

Whenever I made pasta sauce, I never had a recipe to follow, so I would just wing it. Each time I headed to the kitchen to make it, I would feel frustrated because I never knew how it would taste since I just threw stuff together. I really wanted a recipe that became my own and would pass on to my kids. Where do you go when you're looking for a recipe? Pinterest! I found two different recipes that sounded good, so I decided to combine them and it turned out delicious! It's especially yummy when you can simmer it all day to let the flavors blend. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 (14 oz) cans chopped tomatoes
• 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
• 2 cups water (if you are simmering a long time. If you aren't simmering it very long, add less.)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

1. Brown ground beef and sausage with onion and garlic (in large pot if simmering sauce on stovetop).

2. Drain grease and return to large pot or transfer to 5 quart slow cooker. Stir in all remaining ingredients, mix well.

3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

4. Serve over your favorite pasta with garlic bread. 

Best Brownies Ever!

I ran across this recipe on Pinterest. It doesn't tell the pan size, but I use an 11 x 7.

They are DELISH!

2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 c. cocoa
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
dash cinnamon

Mix ingredients and bake in greased pan at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Ingredients:
2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 - 4 ounce can chopped green chilies, drained
2 ounce can diced jalapeno peppers, drained (or 4-6 fresh diced)

1 clove of garlic
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Serve with tortilla chips, baguette, or crackers.

Directions:
1.     Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in green chiles and jalapeno peppers. Pour mixture into a microwave safe serving dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
2.     Microwave on High until hot, about 3 minutes OR bake at 355 for 30 minutes.

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

This recipe if from Food Network/Paula Deen.

Ingredients:

    * 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
    * 8 large eggs
    * 2 cups half-and-half
    * 1 cup milk
    * 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    * Dash salt
    * Praline Topping, recipe follows
    * Maple syrup

Directions:

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.
Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

    * 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
    * 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    * 1 cup chopped pecans
    * 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Peanut Butter Balls

It wouldn't be Christmas without Grandma Chase's peanut butter balls!!

Ingredients:

• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 sticks melted butter
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 12 oz. bag chocolate chips

Preparation: 

• Mix first four ingredients together like pie crust.
• Make them into 1"-1 1/2" balls.
•  Melt chocolate chips in double boiler. (Add a dollop of shortening to thin the chocolate if desired.)
• Dip peanut butter balls in melted chocolate and place on wax paper to cool.
• Store in refrigerator. 
• Makes 90-100.

Nestle Very Best Fudge

I have always been intimidated by making fudge. This recipe took my fears away. Maybe it's a bit of a cheating version, but it's delicious!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 can (12 oz) Nestle Carnation Evaporated Mild
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 4 cups (24 oz) or two 12-oz packages Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:

• Line 13 x 9 baking pan or 2-8" square baking pans with foil
• Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in large heavy duty saucepan.
• Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Boil, stirring constantly, for 4-5 minutes.
• Remove from heat
• Stir in marshmallows, morsels, nuts, and vanilla. 
• Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted.
• Pour into prepared pan(s).
• Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
• Lift from pan; remove foil.
• Cut into pieces.
• Store tightly covered in refrigerator.  

Makes about 4 pounds or 48 servings (2 pieces per serving).

For Milk Chocolate Fudge:
Substitute 3 1/2 cups (23 ounces) or 2 packages (11.5 oz each) Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

For Butterscotch Fudge:
Substitute 3 1/2 cups (22 ounces) or 2 packages (11 oz each) Nestle Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

For Peanutty Fudge:
Substitute 3 1/2 cups (22 ounces) or 2 packages (11 oz each) Nestle Toll House Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels and 1/2 cup peanuts for pecans or walnuts.

Corn Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1 package of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• 1 can of creamed corn
• 1 can of whole kernel corn

Preparation:

Melt butter in casserole.  Beat in eggs.  Add sour cream.  Dump in muffin mix.  Add creamed corn. Add DRAINED whole kernel corn.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.