Crock Pot Vegetable Stew

I modified a recipe from one of my cookbooks to create this stew.

1 lb ground beef (browned and drained)
1 onion, chopped
1 jar (26-30 oz) meatless spaghetti sauce
3 1/2 c water
1 pkg (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
1 c sliced celery
1 tsp beef bouillion granules
1 tsp pepper
8 oz uncooked rotini pasta

Put all ingredients EXCEPT for pasta inot crock pot. Cover and cook on low 8 hrs or til veggies are tender. 30 min before stew is done, prepare pasta according to pkg directions. Drain pasta and add to stew. Mix well. Makes 8-10 servings.

Basic Tomato Sauce

This recipe is based on the one in the Sugarbusters book. I tweaked the amounts on a couple of things. The baking soda gives it a different taste, but it is needed to combat the acidity of the tomatoes since sugar isn't used. Green pepper, mushrooms, or meat can easily be added to make a heartier sauce.

Hubby loves this sauce!

1 med onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 Tbsp olive oil
28 oz can crushed tomatoes in puree
16 oz (2 - 8 oz cans) tomato sauce, no sugar added
1/2 c fresh basil, chopped OR 1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp baking soda
salt and pepper to taste

In med skillet, saute onion and garlic in oil til tender. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, stirring to mix, while cooking over med heat. Add basil and baking soda, continuing to stir. Lower heat to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste, Simmer for 15 min, stirring frequently. Makes 5 c.

Grandma's Meatballs

This definitely one of my comfort foods. I remember my grandma making these meatballs frequently when I was growing up (and she still does).

When I was young, she and my grandpa used to take us cousins camping with them every summer in their camper. These meatballs were always served at atleast one meal on our camping trip. One year I remember her saying that she made 72 meatballs for us hungry campers!

We usually serve mashed potatoes with this. The recipe's gravy is so good served over the potatoes!

When my grandma gave me this recipe, it didn't have amounts for the minced onion, cracker crumbs, or ketchup. I don't usually measure how much of them I put in the recipe, but I've included estimated amounts for each.

The recipe can easily be doubled (or tripled or more).

1 lb ground beef (thawed)
1 egg
minced onioin (about 1 Tbsp)
cracker crumbs (about 1/3 c)
ketchup (about 1 Tbsp)
1 can tomato soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup

In a bowl, mix together first 5 ingredients. Shape into balls and place in 9x13 pan. Mix together soups in a bowl and add a little water so that the soup mixture is pourable. Pour soup mixture over meatballs, covering all. Cover pan with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr or til meatballs are done. Makes about 24 meatballs.

Finger Jello (aka Jello Jigglers)

2 1/2 c boiling water
4 pkg jello (4 servings each)

Mix together, stirring til gelatin is dissolved. Pour into 9x13 pan. (I like to spray the pan lightly with cooking spray first so the jello doesn't stick.) Chill til set. Makes 24 servings.

Scotch Eggs

I remember my stepmom making these for breakfast. I love them!

6 hard boiled eggs
1 lb ground pork sausage with seasonings
corn flake crumbs

Peel eggs. Wrap sausage around eggs and roll in crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees til sausage is done (30-40 min), turning occasionally.

Puppy Chow

This snack never lasts long at our house! The kids ask me for it often, and it's easy for them to help make.

9 c corn or rice Chex or Crispix
1 c chocolate chips
1/2 c peanut butter
1/4 c butter
1 1/2 c powdered sugar

Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter 1 min. Stir. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between til smooth. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal in lg bowl. Stir til coated. Add powdered sugar; stir til coated. Store in airtight container.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions

This recipe is so simple but so delicious! The first time I made it, Hubby and I were amazed at how good it was!

sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
onion, sliced into half or quarter rings
spray oil/cooking spray (like Pam)
salt
pepper

Spray a large baking sheet with oil. Place sweet potatoes and onions in a single layer on baking sheet. (Use whatever amount you need for the number of people you're serving so that the onions make up 1/4-1/3 of the sweet potatoes and onions combined.) Spray sweet potatoes and onions with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 min or til potatoes are tender, stirring once or twice. Serve immediately.