Spaghetti Carbonara

Made just like here only use spaghetti noodles

Fried Ramen

This is my comfort food...when I am sick, don't want to eat or depressed this is what I make. It's my chicken noodle soup.

There is no "real" recipe, it changes all the time depending on what I have in the house to use. For one person you need:

1 package of ramen

1/2 of included seasoning packet

1/2 C-1 C frozen veggies, defrosted

butter as needed,

Cook noodles in boiliong water for about 3 minutes. Drain well. In a skillet melt a couple Tbsps of butter. Add noodles and stir fry until they start to crisp. Throw in veggies and add 1/2 of seasoning packet that was included with the ramen. Heat and serve.

Taco Chili and Green Salad

Taco Chili

1 lb. browned ground beef

1 onion, diced and sauteed

2 minced cloves garlic

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 oz) can corn, do not drain

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, do not drain

1 (15 oz) can hominey, drained

1 (10 oz) can tomatoes with chilies

1 packet taco seasoning

1 packet ranch dressing

Place everything in a crockpot and mix well. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. You can garnish with cheese and sour cream if desired.



Canned Spaghetti and Meatballs

Fried Catfish, Smashed Potatoes and Romenesco

Fried Catfish

1 C milk

6 catfish fillets

oil as needed

1 1/2 C cornmeal

seasoning salt to taste

1 lemon, cut into wedges

Soak catfish in milk for about 10 minutes. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a skillet to 375 degrees. Place the cornmeal and seasoning salt  in a resealable plastic bag. Drain milk off of fillets and place in the plasic bag and shake to coat. Fry until golden on both sides about 8-10 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels before serving with lemon wedges.

Smashed Potatoes

Sesame Chicken

Sesame Chicken

1 C flour
1/2 C sesame seeds, divided
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp chinese 5 spice powder
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken, cut into bite size pieces
oil as needed
1 onion, cut into wedges
1 green pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp teriyaki sauce
4 Tbsp honey

In a large resealable plastic bag combine flour, 1/4 C sesame seeds, pepper, and 5 spice powder. Place chicken in the bag and shake to coat. Heat oil in a wok and stir fry chicken for 5-8 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside. Add onion and bell pepper to the wok and stir fry until tender. Remove onion and peppers to a plate and set aside. Add chicken back to the wok and add teriyaki sauce, the remaining sesame seeds and honey. stir until thickened. add onions and peppers back to the wok and heat until warm.

Breakfast for Dinner

Chili Macaroni Soup and Dinner Roll

Chili Macaroni Soup

1 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

5 C water

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 box macaroni and cheese

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 C frozen corn

In a large pot, cook ground beef, onion and bell pepper until meat is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Add water, tomatoes with juice, cheese sauce packet, chili powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and then turn down heat to low, let simmer for 10 minutes. Add pasta and corn. Cover pot and simmer for 10 minutes or until macaroni is tender, , stirring occasionally

Kung Pao Chicken, Stir Fried Broccoli, Fried Rice and Vegetable Egg Roll

Kung Pao Chicken

1 lb chicken, cut into bite sized pieces

2-4 small dried chilies

1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 C peanuts

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch, divided (some will be used in the sauce)

1 Tbsp sugar

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

4 Tbsp soy sauce, divided

2 Tbsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp rice cooking wine, divided

1 Tbsp vinegar

2 C oil

Marinate chicken overnight in 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp rice cooking wine and 1 tsp cornstarch. To make the sauce combine in a small bowl vinegar, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, sesame oil, 1 tsp rice cooking wine, sugar, 1 Tbsp cornstarch, set aside. heat oil in a wok over high heat. Cook chicken until cooked through and remove to a plate and set aside. Rinse out wok and add 2 Tbsp oil, heat and add chilies. This makes chili oil and is what flavors the dish. Stir fry chili until they turn black, add ginger, garlic and peppers. Stir fry until softened. Add chicken to reheat, add sauce. Stir until thickened. Garnish with peanuts and serve.

Stir Fried Broccoli

1 large bunch broccoli, chopped into florets

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 Tbsp oil

3 Tbsp sherry

1/4 C chicken broth

1 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce

2 tsp brown sugar

1/3 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp water

In a small bowl mix together sherry, broth, oyster sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch/water mixture to make the sauce. Set aside. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium high heat, add oil and heat. Add the broccoli and the garlic and stir fry until tender about 5-8 minutes. Add sauce and allow to thicken before serving.

Fried Rice

Vegetable Egg Rolls

1 (16 oz.) pkg. egg roll wrappers
1 C. mushrooms, finely diced
1 green onion, diced
2 tbsp and 3 cups oil
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 pkg of coleslaw mix
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce

In a non stick pot or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil on high. Add the pre chopped garlic and stir fry for about 1 minute or until the garlic is slightly browned. Add the coleslaw mix and mushrooms and stir fry for about 3 minutes or until the coleslaw is soft. Add the green onion, pepper, sugar and soy and stir fry for 1 more minute. Remove the pot from the heat. Begin to fill the egg rolls by taking a wrapper and placing it so that it the shape of a diamond and one of the longest points is pointed toward you. Set out a small bowl of water close by so that you can wet the wrapper to seal it together. Place about 3 tablespoons of the filling on the middle of the wrapper. Fold the bottom point over the filling. Then using your fingers, slightly dampen the two side points with water and fold them in. Then dampen the far end of the wrapper and roll up the rest of the egg roll. Lightly press to seal it together and set it aside. Repeat until all the egg rolls have been filled or you run out of filling, heat the remaining 3 cups of oil. Once the oil is very hot, slowly place each egg roll into the oil and fry for about 3 minutes turning at least once. Remove the egg rolls with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain. You can also bake these by placing them on a baking sheet after spraying them with non stick cooking spray. Place in the oven for about 15 minutes at 425 degrees, you may want to turn them once about the middle of cooking.

Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches with Horseradish Mayonnaise and Homemade Potato Wedges Day 45



Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

1 lb deli roast beef

6 hamburger buns

6 slices provolone cheese

1 recipe horseradish mayonnaise

Toast hamburger buns. Heat roast beef for a short time in the microwave.  Assemble as sandwiches.

Horseradish Mayonnaise

1 Tbsp vinegar

4 tsp sugar

1 C mayonnaise

2 tbsp prepared horseradish

Combine everything in a small bowl and chill for at least 1 hour before using on sandwiches.

Recipe for the homemade potato wedges is here



BBQ Steak and Onions, Carrot and Raisin Salad and Baked Beans

Alan took care of the steak. We just marinated it in a bottle of premade marinade from the pantry. I did the sides.

Carrot Raisin Salad

3 C shredded carrots

1/2 C raisins

1/3 to 1/2 C mayonnaise

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp brown sugar  

Salt to taste

Soak carrots in warm water to cover for about 5 minutes to plump. In a bowl combine carrots, raisins, mayonnaise, lemon juice, brown sugar and salt. Mix well and chill before serving.

BAKED BEANS

2 (15 oz.) cans Pork and Beans, undrained

3/4 C brown sugar

1 C ketchup

1 large onion, diced

1 tsp. mustard

2 to 3 slices bacon, cooked and diced

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Cover and cook on low about 6 hours.

Pork Roast with Gravy, Smashed Potatoes, and Vegetables with Cheese Sauce Day 43

Pork Roast with Gravy

3 lb. boneless pork roast
meat tenderizer to taste
1/4 C cornstarch
1 C water

Season pork roast to taste with meat tenderizer. Place roast in a crockpot, cover and cook on low for about 8 hours or until cooked through. Remove roast to a platter and slice. Set aside. Mix cornstarch and water and set aside. Strain juice from the crockpot to remove any fat or pork pieces. Pour juices into a saucepan. Add cornstarch/ water mixture to saucepan and whisk together. Cook gravy on low, stirring constantly until it is smooth and the consistency you want.

Smashed Potatoes

2 lbs small new potatoes

Butter as needed

Milk or buttermilk as needed

Salt to taste

Wash potatoes well leaving skins on. Boil potatoes in a pan for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash to desired consistency adding butter, milk and salt to taste.

Vegetables with Cheese Sauce

from the freezer