New South Charm: February 2015

Monday, February 23, 2015

Baked Penne Pasta

It's a story we've all heard before -- girl loves pasta, girl loves cheese, girl finds recipe that combines her two greatest loves. Okay... okay so maybe my greatest loves aren't really pasta and cheese, BUT they are pretty high on my list.

I saw this pasta dish on All Recipes I made a few changes to the original (my mom says that's called making it your own) to make it easier to prepare. Of course I added more cheese. This recipe got my Hubby's stamp of approval. I guess that makes this new entree a keeper.

Recipe

What You’ll Need:

1 pound ground beef

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped yellow or white onion
1 jar of marinara sauce (I used Paul Newman’s Own)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1 box of penne pasta
1 cup Italian Blend Cheese (can substitute mozzarella or provolone)
1 cup cheddar or Colby Monetary Jack
Salt and Pepper

Putting It All together:

Prepare pasta according to directions

Sauce:
In a medium sauce pan combine ingredients over medium heat
Combine one jar of marinara sauce (brand of your choice) with
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste
Stir well and cover; stir occasionally while cooking

Beef:

Coat the bottom of a large skillet with the Olive Oil and then heat up over medium high heat
Once oil is warm add in bell pepper and onions allow to cook until onion begin to change to clear
Add beef and brown until done

In a 9x13 casserole dish layer pasta (drained but not rinsed) and half of the beef, and 1 cup of Italian Blend Cheese.

In a 9x13 casserole dish layer pasta (drained but not rinsed) and half of the beef, and 1 cup of Italian Blend Cheese.

Next pour on the sauce. Then add the next layer of ground beef.

Then add the next layer of ground beef.

Then cover the entire thing in MORE cheese -- time Colby and Monetary Jack Cheese.

I serve this pasta dish with a fresh green salad, and crispy bread. I like to put a little dish of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar on the table for dipping. Besides being delicious, this dish was really easy to make and filling, a great week night meal.

Happy Cooking Y'all!

Susanne

Monday, February 2, 2015

Spicy Sloppy Joes

This twist on traditional Sloppy Joes gives them a little kick without taking the flavor too far from the original.

Sloppy Joes have been a favorite food of mine since I was a little girl. My mom used to make them when I was a kid. I always love the combination of the bread and tangy tomatoes. Of course it didn’t hurt that they were messy and fun to eat.

In order to kick these Sloppy Joes up a notch I’m adding some heat from the spice cabinet. This recipe features both chili powder and red pepper flakes. See I told you SPICY.

If the chili powder and red pepper flakes don’t bring enough heat for you then you can add hot sauce. It’s all a matter of taste.

Recipe

What You’ll Need (makes 4 sandwiches)

1 pound ground beef

2 tablespoons of butter

1 large bell pepper

1 small onion or ½ of a large onion

2 cloves of garlic (or 1 teaspoon of garlic powder)

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder (you can use less for a milder taste)

1 teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (again you can use less)

2 cups ketchup

2-3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (or to taste)

A splash of Tabasco or Hot Sauce (optional)

Buns

Putting it all Together

Dice the onion, bell pepper, and garlic cloves then set aside.

In a small bowl mix together dry spices and brown sugar then set aside.

In a large pot or skillet melt butter over medium high heat.

Brown beef adding diced vegetables halfway through. Add salt and pepper to your taste to skillet. Continue cooking until meat is browned and vegetables are tender.
Drain off fat.

Next add in the ketchup, spice and sugar mixture, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer two minutes.
Add a cup of water. Stir until well combined and then simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

Serve on toasted bread or buns of your choice.

Happy Cooking Y'all!

Susanne

Sunday, February 1, 2015

12 Rice Dishes for Dinner Tonight

Around here rice is a constant staple in my pantry. I keep it stocked for several reasons. There are the obvious ones: its’ cheap, it’s filling, and it’s easy to prepare. But those aren't the only reasons I keep it on hand. Rice is one of the most flexible foods you can buy. Its versatility is almost endless. I use it as an entrée, in casseroles, as a side dish, and even in soup. Plus you can prepare it to go with Mexican food, Chinese dishes, Indian dishes. Check out these recipes for ideas for lots of delicious recipes for putting rice on your dinner table.