I love Spaghetti. I am talking long noodles in tomato sauce seasoned with herbs. With or without meat, any day of the week, any time of the day, hot or cold. Mmmm it's my favorite.
Since I married I have been searching for a Spaghetti I could make at home that was acceptable to my husband's pallet; he has a sensitive stomach and many food allergies. After five years I have found my champion. It is super easy and cheap to make.
Baked Spaghetti
By Bethany Thompson
Spaghetti Noodles (I prefer Trader Joes Brand)
Prego Traditional Spaghetti Sauce (my husbands favorite)
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
2/3 lb Ground Beef, browned*
1 cup Colby Jack Cheese, shredded*
I brown the beef as I cook about 2/3rds of the package of pasta to al dente.
When the beef is ready I mop up the excess grease and water with a paper towel (a trip my Grandma taught me.) I pour in the jar of spaghetti sauce, add the brown sugar and stir like I stir gravy until the sugar dissolves and keep warm.
When noodles are cooked, I drain them and dump them into my pan of meat sauce and stir to coat evenly.
Dump noodles and sauce into a 9x13 pan, it will be spread about an inch thick, and sprinkle cheese evenly over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Serves four.
While it is baking I prepare my garlic toast and side of veggies; corn is my favorite vegetable to eat with spaghetti. This is also a good time to wash up the dishes since pots and pans take up allot of room in the dishwasher.
*I use only 2/3 lb of ground beef because I buy a 2lb package and split it into 3 to make it go further.
*I shred cheese myself with a small food processor I bought expressly for that purpose. My FP makes shredding cheese quick and painless even though I have to then wash it. Blocks of cheese cost less than packages of shredded cheese and the shredded cheeses have a substance the manufacturers put on it to keep the shredded pieces from sticking together. I don't remember exactly what the powder is, but it's not a food substance-Nasty.
My husband told me today I could make spaghetti like this any time I want to. Hooray for simple pleasures!
Simple [Sim-puhl]
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Hair DO
Sunday, January 20, 2013
A New Year, A New Beginning
After Christmas, when I was a child everyone wanted to know what gifts I received, and I could barely contain myself to tell everyone because I was so excited. (At least sometimes this is how it happened.) Unless, my family had financial trouble that year and then the "fun" gift telling session became awekward and uncomfortable as I waited for my moment of shame (socks and underwear anyone?) Why is it we remind eachother to focus on the true meaning of Christmas before it happens, but frequently focus on only the gifts after Christmas. If we want to remember the true meaning of Christmas all year perhaps we should tone down the part that distracts us from it.
The Christmas gift-giving is, after all, symbalic of God's gift of his Only Begotten Son to the world. This is the one Great Gift we are trying to remember all year long and I want to make sure the temperary things I recieve or give at Christmas don't distract me from it. For this reason, not to mention the mounds of money spent on an extravagant Christmas, I'm trying to simplify my Christmases without giving up the magic of the season.
My brother's family gives only one gift to one another which is frequently homemade for Christmas. I think this is a fabulous idea. Not only does it teach their children to be creative, to learn how to do new things, and be resourceful, it also teaches them to invest time, thought, and care in their relationships with eachother, strengthening their bonds as a family. When you make a gift for someone; you give yourself, when you receive a homemade gift from someone, you receive that person into your life. Maybe that is why an ill-received homemade gift feels so hurtful. But, it shouldn't keep us from putting ourselves out there to love and be loved.
Two of my cousins had baby boys at the end of 2012 so I decided to knit them some booties, one had twins that's why there are three pair. My mother gave me the pattern for these "Stay on Booties" and I have been making them ever since I learned how to knit. I've made them for my neices and nephews, for friends' babies and now for my cousins' babies. It is always great to have a good gift on hand that most likely won't be duplicated (and that is hard to come by.)
Another gift I am accustomed to giving is knitted dishcloths for weddings or just because, and whenever! These are great dishcloths, I found the pattern I learned to knit on in a blog I follow! I've always kept it pretty basic so I've decided I'm going to take my knitting to new levels this year.
My dear mother sent me a package with all of this for Christmas:
Isn't it delightful! Many of you may be wondering what it is..
When I was growing up my mother had several practical hobbies she taught to me, but she took up this hobby when I was a kid and it was neat to learn about it along with her. Spinning is a dying art my mother always wanted to learn, so my father ordered a spinning wheel and a few books for my mother so she could learn how and do it herself.
Spinning and knitting became a part of my happiness growing up, there is something about making your own yarn from things that are produced naturally by the earth and then making that yarn into clothing that keeps you warm that is so... fulfilling. I feel so independent making my own yarn to make my own clothing, and other neccesary items. It just feels right. Spinning Wheels however; are very expensive tools, more expensive than I can afford right now and so I turned to a spinning tool that is inexpensive, but I have found to be just as efficient.
This is a Hip Spindle or Navajo Spindle and it was invented by Native Americans to spin fiber into yarn to then weave blankets (most commonly known today) and clothing. There are many tools people around the world developed for the purpose of spinning yarn so they could make clothing etc. I have tried several types myself, but not only was this the most efficient for me, besides a spinning wheel, it was born in America just like me and it is a part of American Heritage. I am not a "Native American" in the sense of the people who lived here before Europeans transpanted here, but America is my native land and I embrace all of it's history and heritage without division. I believe we are all the children of this great country united under it's history. Everyone may not share this view; I have been called an idealist from time to time, but I still see nothing wrong with a constructive perspective and hope for the future.
Moving on from the Soap Box, I am so excited to have spinning in my life again, and I look forward to coloring/dying my yarn as well. (Any color I want!)
You will notice a large bag of white wool in this picture. It is a whole pound! I will be able to knit several items from this bag, and I will be sharing it with you from time to time! I will eventually move on to other fibers to spin such as cotton, and angora rabbit or goat hair, and maybe some silk! I will be titling these posts A Fiber Fancy so they will be easily searchable. The first project I am knitting from homespun wool is not a yarn that I spun or dyed myself, it is the kit in the photo. This yarn is called Blueberry Mix by Cascade Jewel Hand Dyed Yarn and it came with a pattern for knitted Cornucopia Wristers. I have wanted to knit myself some fingerless gloves for a long time and my mother will be making a pair too since she bought the same kit for herself! I am so excited to share the experience with her and to be sharing my progress with you! Happy New Year Everyone!
The Christmas gift-giving is, after all, symbalic of God's gift of his Only Begotten Son to the world. This is the one Great Gift we are trying to remember all year long and I want to make sure the temperary things I recieve or give at Christmas don't distract me from it. For this reason, not to mention the mounds of money spent on an extravagant Christmas, I'm trying to simplify my Christmases without giving up the magic of the season.
My brother's family gives only one gift to one another which is frequently homemade for Christmas. I think this is a fabulous idea. Not only does it teach their children to be creative, to learn how to do new things, and be resourceful, it also teaches them to invest time, thought, and care in their relationships with eachother, strengthening their bonds as a family. When you make a gift for someone; you give yourself, when you receive a homemade gift from someone, you receive that person into your life. Maybe that is why an ill-received homemade gift feels so hurtful. But, it shouldn't keep us from putting ourselves out there to love and be loved.
Two of my cousins had baby boys at the end of 2012 so I decided to knit them some booties, one had twins that's why there are three pair. My mother gave me the pattern for these "Stay on Booties" and I have been making them ever since I learned how to knit. I've made them for my neices and nephews, for friends' babies and now for my cousins' babies. It is always great to have a good gift on hand that most likely won't be duplicated (and that is hard to come by.)
Another gift I am accustomed to giving is knitted dishcloths for weddings or just because, and whenever! These are great dishcloths, I found the pattern I learned to knit on in a blog I follow! I've always kept it pretty basic so I've decided I'm going to take my knitting to new levels this year.
My dear mother sent me a package with all of this for Christmas:
When I was growing up my mother had several practical hobbies she taught to me, but she took up this hobby when I was a kid and it was neat to learn about it along with her. Spinning is a dying art my mother always wanted to learn, so my father ordered a spinning wheel and a few books for my mother so she could learn how and do it herself.
Spinning and knitting became a part of my happiness growing up, there is something about making your own yarn from things that are produced naturally by the earth and then making that yarn into clothing that keeps you warm that is so... fulfilling. I feel so independent making my own yarn to make my own clothing, and other neccesary items. It just feels right. Spinning Wheels however; are very expensive tools, more expensive than I can afford right now and so I turned to a spinning tool that is inexpensive, but I have found to be just as efficient.
This is a Hip Spindle or Navajo Spindle and it was invented by Native Americans to spin fiber into yarn to then weave blankets (most commonly known today) and clothing. There are many tools people around the world developed for the purpose of spinning yarn so they could make clothing etc. I have tried several types myself, but not only was this the most efficient for me, besides a spinning wheel, it was born in America just like me and it is a part of American Heritage. I am not a "Native American" in the sense of the people who lived here before Europeans transpanted here, but America is my native land and I embrace all of it's history and heritage without division. I believe we are all the children of this great country united under it's history. Everyone may not share this view; I have been called an idealist from time to time, but I still see nothing wrong with a constructive perspective and hope for the future.
Moving on from the Soap Box, I am so excited to have spinning in my life again, and I look forward to coloring/dying my yarn as well. (Any color I want!)
You will notice a large bag of white wool in this picture. It is a whole pound! I will be able to knit several items from this bag, and I will be sharing it with you from time to time! I will eventually move on to other fibers to spin such as cotton, and angora rabbit or goat hair, and maybe some silk! I will be titling these posts A Fiber Fancy so they will be easily searchable. The first project I am knitting from homespun wool is not a yarn that I spun or dyed myself, it is the kit in the photo. This yarn is called Blueberry Mix by Cascade Jewel Hand Dyed Yarn and it came with a pattern for knitted Cornucopia Wristers. I have wanted to knit myself some fingerless gloves for a long time and my mother will be making a pair too since she bought the same kit for herself! I am so excited to share the experience with her and to be sharing my progress with you! Happy New Year Everyone!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Bragging Rights!
This year for the Christmas party at my work they held a Chili cook-off and I spiritedly entered. Two dropped out so that left me and four other contestants. All of the chili's entered we very different from each other. There was a chili verde with shredded pork, a vegetarian chili, and other varieties of bean and ground beef.
I have always wanted to enter a chili cook-off so I took it very seriously and stuck to a recipe I'd made up many years ago. I had everything I needed; at least I thought I did, until it came time to add seasoning and the chili powder was no where to be found. "Oh well! Can't win them all." I thought, and finished my recipe. I put it in a Crockpot and drove to work, it smelled pretty good so I was still hopeful. My boss pulled the top off as soon as I finished plugging in my slow-cooker. " Wow, that smells good." she told me and I thanked her for the compliment. When it came time to cast my vote it was very difficult because they were all so different I wanted to be fair. I did not vote for myself (I thought that would be a little tacky anyway.) But, I did win the Best Chili prize!
Since there wasn't any of my prize-winning-chili left over for my family to try; I made another batch today for dinner and it turned out even better! Here's the recipe:
My Prize Winning Chili
By Bethany Thompson
1 lbs Ground Beef
2 cans Light Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans Ro*Tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies Original
1 small can Tomato Sauce
1/2 carton Beef Stock (or to taste as it cooks)
1/2 Sweet Onion, diced
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 Jalapeno Pepper- seeds and membrane removed, diced
1 large clove Garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Butter
Salt
Pepper
1/2 tsp Sirachi Sauce (I'm guessing because I just eyeballed-it)
1+ tsp Ground Cumin (Ditto)
1/2 tsp Paprika (Ditto again)
1-2 Tbsp Brown Sugar (about)
Break up ground beef in hot pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and brown until no pink remains.
Combine beans and tomatoes in a large pot, add browned beef, and rinse frying pan. Heat butter in pan until melted, add onion, peppers, garlic and sprinkle with salt. Cook until peppers are soft and onions are translucent, add to bean and meat pot mixture. Add seasonings to chili pot being careful with the Sirachi (this is what makes it super hot or pleasantly warm.) Add stock a little at a time and give it a good stirring to get the consistency you want. Simmer chili while you make a pan of cornbread, about an hour or more. As the chili thickens just keep adding stock now and then until you're ready to eat it and it gets to a good chili consistency. You can cook it in a big pot or throw it in the crock pot to cook on low all day. It does get a thicker consistency if you cook it in a pot on the stove though (Like what you see come from a can type of consistency- I like it best.)
The only difference between tonight and the competition was I used a medium can of tomato sauce and not as much beef stock, but trust me this way is so much better!
Making your own chili is not cheaper than buying a can of it. But... It is so much more delicious, nutritious and rewarding. ;-)
I have always wanted to enter a chili cook-off so I took it very seriously and stuck to a recipe I'd made up many years ago. I had everything I needed; at least I thought I did, until it came time to add seasoning and the chili powder was no where to be found. "Oh well! Can't win them all." I thought, and finished my recipe. I put it in a Crockpot and drove to work, it smelled pretty good so I was still hopeful. My boss pulled the top off as soon as I finished plugging in my slow-cooker. " Wow, that smells good." she told me and I thanked her for the compliment. When it came time to cast my vote it was very difficult because they were all so different I wanted to be fair. I did not vote for myself (I thought that would be a little tacky anyway.) But, I did win the Best Chili prize!
Since there wasn't any of my prize-winning-chili left over for my family to try; I made another batch today for dinner and it turned out even better! Here's the recipe:
My Prize Winning Chili
By Bethany Thompson
1 lbs Ground Beef
2 cans Light Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans Ro*Tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies Original
1 small can Tomato Sauce
1/2 carton Beef Stock (or to taste as it cooks)
1/2 Sweet Onion, diced
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 Jalapeno Pepper- seeds and membrane removed, diced
1 large clove Garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Butter
Salt
Pepper
1/2 tsp Sirachi Sauce (I'm guessing because I just eyeballed-it)
1+ tsp Ground Cumin (Ditto)
1/2 tsp Paprika (Ditto again)
1-2 Tbsp Brown Sugar (about)
Break up ground beef in hot pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and brown until no pink remains.
Combine beans and tomatoes in a large pot, add browned beef, and rinse frying pan. Heat butter in pan until melted, add onion, peppers, garlic and sprinkle with salt. Cook until peppers are soft and onions are translucent, add to bean and meat pot mixture. Add seasonings to chili pot being careful with the Sirachi (this is what makes it super hot or pleasantly warm.) Add stock a little at a time and give it a good stirring to get the consistency you want. Simmer chili while you make a pan of cornbread, about an hour or more. As the chili thickens just keep adding stock now and then until you're ready to eat it and it gets to a good chili consistency. You can cook it in a big pot or throw it in the crock pot to cook on low all day. It does get a thicker consistency if you cook it in a pot on the stove though (Like what you see come from a can type of consistency- I like it best.)
The only difference between tonight and the competition was I used a medium can of tomato sauce and not as much beef stock, but trust me this way is so much better!
Making your own chili is not cheaper than buying a can of it. But... It is so much more delicious, nutritious and rewarding. ;-)
Monday, December 17, 2012
Homemade Holidays
I added a few new recipes to my holiday baking this year. I have traditional family recipes I use every year for Pumpkin Bread and Gumdrop Bars, but I had not found just the right Gingerbread Men recipe until this year. I found a recipe on a blog I have recently started following and made some additions. My sister-in-law gave me a recipe for gingerbread houses a few years ago and I loved the spice mixture in that recipe so I adjusted the new recipe to include 1 tsp of vanilla and an extra tsp of cinnamon. Now I am addicted! These Gingerbread Cookies are soft and delicious and get even better as they age.
Another new thing I decided to try this year was Brittle. Last Christmas my mother-in-law bought a big bowl of half peanut brittle and half cashew nut brittle. The cashew nut brittle disappeared, but the peanut brittle lasted quite a while. I found this recipe for Cashew Nut Brittle on a blog I have followed for years. It looked so easy so I decided to try it. Love it! It's so delicious and so easy to make! My only complaint is it doesn't make more; but since it is so easy to make, whipping up another batch is no problem!
Another recipe I'll be making this week is Santa's Thumbprints Cookies. They are my Dad's favorite and I am a little sad I have only made them once before for him. It'll be a real treat! Thoughtful homemade gifts are the best after all.
Santa's Thumbprints
By Quaker Oats and Crisco
1 1/2 cups Butter Flavor Crisco (I hate that it's artificial! I used butter and 1/4 cup more flour.)
1 cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Vanilla
2 1/2 cups Quaker Oats (I use Old Fashioned)
2 cups All-purpose Flour
1/2 tsp Salt (optional)
1 3/4 cups Nuts, finely chopped (peanuts are great)
2/3 cup Fruit Preserves (Raspberry jam is my first choice, but Gooseberry tastes the best!)
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Beat Crisco and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add combined oats, flour and salt; mix well. Form 1-inch balls; roll in nuts. Place 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press centers with thumb; fill with preserves. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to wire rack; cool completely. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen.
Note- DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO EAT COOKIES BEFORE THEY HAVE COMPLETELY COOLED! HOT JAM IS LIKE MOLTEN LAVA. It will burn all your taste buds off! (This is the voice of experience.)
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Another new thing I decided to try this year was Brittle. Last Christmas my mother-in-law bought a big bowl of half peanut brittle and half cashew nut brittle. The cashew nut brittle disappeared, but the peanut brittle lasted quite a while. I found this recipe for Cashew Nut Brittle on a blog I have followed for years. It looked so easy so I decided to try it. Love it! It's so delicious and so easy to make! My only complaint is it doesn't make more; but since it is so easy to make, whipping up another batch is no problem!
Another recipe I'll be making this week is Santa's Thumbprints Cookies. They are my Dad's favorite and I am a little sad I have only made them once before for him. It'll be a real treat! Thoughtful homemade gifts are the best after all.
Santa's Thumbprints
By Quaker Oats and Crisco
1 1/2 cups Butter Flavor Crisco (I hate that it's artificial! I used butter and 1/4 cup more flour.)
1 cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Vanilla
2 1/2 cups Quaker Oats (I use Old Fashioned)
2 cups All-purpose Flour
1/2 tsp Salt (optional)
1 3/4 cups Nuts, finely chopped (peanuts are great)
2/3 cup Fruit Preserves (Raspberry jam is my first choice, but Gooseberry tastes the best!)
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Beat Crisco and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add combined oats, flour and salt; mix well. Form 1-inch balls; roll in nuts. Place 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press centers with thumb; fill with preserves. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to wire rack; cool completely. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen.
Note- DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO EAT COOKIES BEFORE THEY HAVE COMPLETELY COOLED! HOT JAM IS LIKE MOLTEN LAVA. It will burn all your taste buds off! (This is the voice of experience.)
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Car Snacks
For Thanksgiving this year my husband and I drove 10 hours to spend several days with his family. We gave his 20 year old niece and his mother a ride as well. This was a semi-interesting journey. I was knitting Granny Dishcloths most of the time; while our niece napped with her ear buds in, and my mother-in-law commented on the other drivers on the road. My husband just drove and listened to the radio; he was very patient, I was proud of him. ;)
For a trip like this I didn't want to be eating road food the whole time (a.k.a. candy bars, chips and hamburgers.) so I stuck my nose into my newest cookbook and found a recipe for a Car Snack.
I don't usually read cookbooks, but this one was so delightful I read it cover to cover within a week after it arrived. I identified with the authoress, she must be a kindred spirit.;) There is a descriptive personal story to accompany each recipe and I felt like I really was there with Alana in her kitchen sitting on her couch. (Revolutionary idea by the way, I will have to get a couch for my own kitchen!)
The cereal bars were delicious and fun to eat and had lots of fiber to help me digest while sitting in a car for 10 hours. ( As I get older I find this becomes increasingly important to me.) I was able to recover from traveling quickly. It was great! Even my husband's niece liked them.
The Homemade Pantry is now one of my favorite cookbooks. There are recipes for most of the basic things you buy at the store and they look like simple recipes too. I have only tried one recipe so far but I am itching to try them all! Alana also has a blog where she shares her most recent experiences and recipes. She posted a recipe for Maple Apple Chips I am so looking forward to making among other things. I am so grateful to people like Alana Chernila who inspire and teach me ways I can simplify my life. Allot of the recipes I find to make from scratch are much more economical and healthier to make myself. The ones that aren't much cheaper I still feel more confident making myself because I am bypassing a lot of added sugars, salt, trans fats, and preservatives I don't want in my family's diet. Not to mention the packaging that just enlarges more landfills. I feel happy to know I've found a way around some of the industrialization that impregnates our civilization.
For a trip like this I didn't want to be eating road food the whole time (a.k.a. candy bars, chips and hamburgers.) so I stuck my nose into my newest cookbook and found a recipe for a Car Snack.
I don't usually read cookbooks, but this one was so delightful I read it cover to cover within a week after it arrived. I identified with the authoress, she must be a kindred spirit.;) There is a descriptive personal story to accompany each recipe and I felt like I really was there with Alana in her kitchen sitting on her couch. (Revolutionary idea by the way, I will have to get a couch for my own kitchen!)
The cereal bars were delicious and fun to eat and had lots of fiber to help me digest while sitting in a car for 10 hours. ( As I get older I find this becomes increasingly important to me.) I was able to recover from traveling quickly. It was great! Even my husband's niece liked them.
The Homemade Pantry is now one of my favorite cookbooks. There are recipes for most of the basic things you buy at the store and they look like simple recipes too. I have only tried one recipe so far but I am itching to try them all! Alana also has a blog where she shares her most recent experiences and recipes. She posted a recipe for Maple Apple Chips I am so looking forward to making among other things. I am so grateful to people like Alana Chernila who inspire and teach me ways I can simplify my life. Allot of the recipes I find to make from scratch are much more economical and healthier to make myself. The ones that aren't much cheaper I still feel more confident making myself because I am bypassing a lot of added sugars, salt, trans fats, and preservatives I don't want in my family's diet. Not to mention the packaging that just enlarges more landfills. I feel happy to know I've found a way around some of the industrialization that impregnates our civilization.
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