I love to cook; I like to come up with different things or ways of cooking things. While I sit here and think of what my “go to” meals are and how to make them I realize my methods are hard to write down. The way I cook is add so much of this till it looks good, cook until it smells right. How do you explain that to people? I have this trouble at least once a week trying to tell my sister how to make something and I usually end up with silence on the other end of the phone. I usually end up rolling my eyes and explaining it a few more times, so I should be used to it, but apparently I am not. The measurements I give you may or may not be correct but it’s the best I’ve got unless you want to come over and watch me, but with 4 kids it is a mad house around here though you are more than welcome!
So here we go!
Stuffed Shells
I really like lasagna but I do not like to make it. I like to make these stuffed shells and they taste a lot like lasagna. I did somewhat follow the recipe for this the first time I did it now I can’t find it and this is what I do now. Brown 1 ½ pounds of hamburger, when that is done add 1-16oz. can or tomato sauce, 1-4oz can of tomato paste 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, a few dashes of garlic powder. While your hamburger is cooking, cook 16 of the large shell pasta. Mix together 2 cups cottage cheese, 1 egg and 1 cup of grated cheese (any kind will work; I like to use pepper jack). Cover the bottom of your baking dish with half the hamburger mixture, place the shells stuffed with the cottage cheese mixture on top of that. Cover the shells with the other half of hamburger mixture cover with shredded cheese and put in the oven on 350 till bubbly!
Ham Balls
They don’t get these that often. I usually ground up leftover holiday ham and put in the freezer and use it when I remember it is in there. 1 ½ pounds of hamburger with 2 cups ground up ham, 1 egg and enough graham cracker crumbs to form balls. Place in a baking pan and then pour over top 1 can tomato soup, a dash of vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar. I usually double that because I like a lot of sauce on mine! Bake at 350 for an hour or until done.
Breaded Pork Loin Sandwich
When the boneless pork chops are on sale 10 for $10 that is when I have these. I will cook half and put the other half in the freezer for next time. I use my meat tenderizer on each of them, not enough to put holes in them but just close enough to that point. I sprinkle each on both sides with season salt. After I take my frustration out on the poor boneless pork chops I mix together in a bowl 1 egg, 1 cup milk and a few dashes of hot sauce and mix really well. On a plate I mix 2 cups of flour, with one sleeve of crushed saltine crackers and I add more season salt to the flour mixture. I usually double dip, egg to flour and egg to flour again and place in hot oil in the frying pan until crispy on both sides and done in the middle.
Hot Pockets
I like making these when I am feeding the boys out in the barn, at the beef center, or in the field. Any pizza dough recipe will work; I like to use Pioneer Woman’s. The great thing about these is you can fill them with anything. The cleanest I have found is ham and cheese. But I really like hamburger with pizza sauce and cheese. I have also used deer ring bologna in place of ham since I have a lot of it and there isn’t a whole lot you can do with it. Whatever you desire go with it, you never know until you try it. Just pinch off a ball of dough, roll it out on floured surface place you filling in the middle, wrap and pinch to seal. I brush butter and sprinkle with garlic salt. Bake at 350 until golden brown.
Tacos/Pizza
Every day I ask the kids what they want for dinner or supper. I always get the same response, tacos for Ty and pizza for Jake. Emma just wants to eat! To make everyone happy I will make tacos for dinner. Simple as can be, just brown hamburger add taco seasoning, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and anything else you want on your tacos. Then for supper I will make my pizza dough, mix together leftover taco meat, refried beans and cheese. I bake my pizza crust until it is just about done then spread the meat, bean, and cheese mixture over it and bake it until it is warmed through. Then top with the rest of the leftover taco fillings and crush chips over top. Ty gets his tacos, Jake gets his pizza, and Emma gets to eat. Everyone is happy!
And then of course I always have my happy helper with all of these. She likes clean up as well!