Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Spaghetti Sauce from PW


Not PW picture quality...but trust me it was yummy!

After all these years my husband has requested spaghetti and meatballs and now I finally find a recipe that will make him request spaghetti and MEAT SAUCE! Of course it would be Pioneer Woman's since many of our favorites do originate from her. This one is a keeper...meaty and lots of flavor. It makes a lot, so you can freeze it or share it with another family...they will love you for it!! And it's versatile and can be used in different dishes. The sky's the limit with this one!! I altered her recipe a little based on what I had on hand. Below is PW"s recipe with my changes.

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds Ground Beef (I Used Ground Round) I used ground chuck
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 whole Large Yellow Onions, Diced
  • 2 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
  • 6 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 1 cup White Wine (or Low Sodium Beef Broth If You Prefer) I used the white wine
  • 2 cans 28 Ounce Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 can (14 Ounce) Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 can (small, 4-ounce) Tomato Paste
  • 1 jar Good Storebought Marinara Sauce (can Use Another Jar If You Like The Sauce To Be More Saucy Than Meaty) I used a can of Hunt's Garlic and Herb
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Oregano Was totally out, so I substituted dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Thyme
  • 4 whole Bay Leaves
  • 2 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
  • ½ teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper (optional) Left this out
  • ¼ cups Finely Minced Fresh Parsley (or 3 T. Parsley Flakes), More To Taste Left this out
  • 1 whole Rind From One Wedge Parmesan (optional) Left this out
  • ½ cups Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
  • 2 pounds Spaghetti, Cooked Al Dente And Tossed With Olive Oil
  • Extra Minced Parsley, For Serving Left this out
  • Extra Parmesan Cheese, For Serving

Preparation Instructions

IMPORTANT: This recipe can easily be halved! I just like to make a ton so I can freeze it.
In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until totally browned. Remove meat from pot with a slotted spoon and put into a bowl. Set aside.
Discard any grease in pot, but do not clean the pot. Drizzle in olive oil. When it is heated, throw in the diced onion and diced bell pepper. Stir it around for 1 1/2 minutes, then add the garlic. Stir and cook for an additional minute.
Pour in the wine and allow it to bubble up and reduce for about 1 1/2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and marinara sauce. Stir to combine, then add oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper (if using). Stir, then add cooked ground beef and stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or some low-sodium broth if it needs more liquid
After an hour, add the minced parsley and the rind from a wedge of Parmesan (or grated Parmesan if you prefer–or both!) Stir to combine, then put the lid back on and allow it to simmer for another 30 minutes or so. Discard bay leaves before serving.
Serve a big bowl of oiled noodles and spaghetti sauce so guests can serve themselves. Top each serving with minced parsley and grated Parmesan (or Parmesan shavings) and serve with a big piece of garlic-cheese bread.

This got rave reviews from my dad, my brother, my husband, my 15 yr old & ME!
Try it soon!!!

Source: Pioneer Woman

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Two desserts posted in a row...must be a good week!




I prepared lunch for a committee meeting Doug had this week. It's just starting to cool off here and a little taste of fall is just what I wanted for a sweet little dessert. I made the cupcakes "mini" since it was a luncheon, and because I think they are waaaay cuter than regular size!



For the cupcakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½  teaspoon baking soda
½  teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½  teaspoon ground ginger
½  teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 extra-large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin purée (8 ounces), not pie filling
½  cup granulated sugar
½  cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
½  cup canola oil
Maple Frosting (see below)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray 10 muffin tins with non stick spray or line them with 10 paper liners. I used a mini cupcake pan, sprayed. When making minis, it will make lots more than 10 cupcakes, I got 48!

Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and canola oil.

Add the flour mixture and stir until combined.

Divide the batter among the prepared tins (I use a mini ice cream scoop) and bake for 20 to 25 minutes for regular sized cupcakes, 8-10 minutes for mini, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Set aside to cool completely.

Spread the cupcakes with the Maple Frosting.

For the frosting:
6  ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3  tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
¼  teaspoon Maple Flavor
½  teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sifted powdered sugar

In the mixing bowl, cream the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth.

Stir in the maple flavoring and vanilla extract.

With the mixer still on low, slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost cooled cupcakes.

I did end up putting the cupcakes in a liner after they were baked. It made it easier for serving at the meeting. And by doing it afterwards, the cake comes away cleanly form the paper and you don't miss one bit of yumminess! 

Source: adapted from Ina Garten

Monday, September 10, 2012

Pinapple Pudding Cake



1 (18.5 oz) package yellow cake mix...plus the ingredients to make cake (do not use the pudding in the mix type)

2/3 cup sugar

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple

1 (6 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix

1 tub non-dairy whipped topping

flaked or shredded coconut, toasted if desired


1. Spray a 9x13 inch cake pan with non-stick spray, bake the cake according to package directions.

2. Put holes into the top of the cake with a fork when cake comes out of oven and is still hot.

3. Mix pineapple and sugar in medium bowl and pour over cake.

4. Prepare pudding according to the package directions and pour over cake.

5. Chill in refrigerator until completely cooled.

6. Spread whipped topping over cooled cake and sprinkle coconut on top.

7. Keep refrigerated.


A yummy cake that is moist and flavorful. The toasted coconut adds a nice little crunch. 


Source: Adapted from momswhothink.com