Swedish Meatballs

For Meatballs:
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 medium onion, chopped small
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley (may omit)
1 tsp coarsely ground pepper
3/4 tsp salt
2 pounds ground beef or turkey

For Gravy:
1/2 cup AP flour
2-3/4 cups milk
2 cans (10-1/2 oz. each) condensed beef consomme, undiluted (may use beef broth)
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp pepper
3/4 tsp salt

1. In a large bowl, combine ingredients for meatballs.  Mix thoroughly.  Shape into 1-1/2 inch meatballs (about 36).  In a large, deep-sided skillet, brown meatballs in oil or Crisco in batches, removing to paper towels to drain.  Reserve some drippings in pan.

2. For gravy, stir flour into drippings; cook and stir until light brown - do not burn.  Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.  Stir in consomme, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir approx 2 minutes until thickened.

3. Return meatballs to pan.  Cook, uncovered, 15 - 20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through, stirring occasionally.

4. Meanwhile, cook 16 oz. curly noodles according to package directions; drain; toss with butter.  Serve meatballs and gravy over buttered noodles (or mashed potatoes or rice).

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

For Meatballs:
2 LBS ground turkey or beef
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley - OR 1 TBS dry parsley flakes
1 tsp ground pepper
3/4 tsp salt

For Gravy:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 cups milk
2 (10 1/2 oz each) cans condensed beef consomme or beef broth
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce, optional
1 tsp pepper

1. In a large bowl, combine ingredients for meatballs.  Mix lightly but thoroughly.
    Shape into 1-1/2-inch meatballs (3 - 4 dozen)  (I used a cookie scoop... 4 doz)
    Using a little oil, brown meatballs in batches.  Remove each batch to paper towels to drain.
    Reserve drippings in pan.

2.  For gravy, stir flour into drippings (no more than 1/2 cup... discard extra if needed).
     Cook and stir until lightly brown, but do not burn.
     Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.  Stir in the consomme/broth and pepper.  Salt to taste.
     Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes.

3.  Return meatballs to pan.  Cook, uncovered, 15 - 20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through,
     stirring occasionally.

4.  Meanwhile, cook 16 oz curly noodles according to package directions.  Drain and toss with butter.
     Serve.  NOTE:  May substitute mashed potatoes or rice for the noodles, as preferred.

Lasagna Belmonte

1 medium onion, diced

1 - 1 1/2 LBS lean ground beef or turkey

1 clove garlic, minced

1 16-oz can tomato sauce

1 6-oz can tomato paste

1 cup water

1 tsp EACH salt and oregano

1/2 tsp EACH pepper and sugar

12 oz lasagna noodles

16 oz. cottage cheese

16 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet that has a lid, cook and stir beef and onion until beef is done and onion is tender. Add garlic and cook a minute or so longer.

Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.

Add salt, oregano, pepper, and sugar.

Stir to combine.

Cover and simmer 1 hour.

Cook noodles in boiling, salted water. Drain.

Arrange 1/3 of noodles on the bottom of a 9 X 13 baking dish.

Spread evenly with 1/3 of the meat mixture.

Dot with 1/3 of the cottage cheese.

Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella.

Continue layering to make 3 layers.

Top final layer with grated Parmesan cheese.

Bake, uncovered, in a 350 oven for about 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and lasagne is hot and bubbly.

Serves 6 - 8

Roli-Poli

Another long-time family favorite.. Do not be intimidated by the 3 parts. All steps are easy peasy, and you'll love the results!

Part one:

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 large carrot, peeled & grated (about 1/4 - 1/2 cup)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 eggs, beaten

Cook and stir meat, carrots, and onions until meat is just done and onions are tender.

Add salt and pepper.

Remove from heat and stir in beaten eggs. Cook and stir until eggs are well distributed and just set.

*This will be cooking in the oven, so don't overcook either step!

Set aside to cool at room temperature.

Part 2:

3 cups all purpose flour

4 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 TBS sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 425.

Blend together dry ingredients.

Cut in shortening; add milk.

Stir to form a soft dough.

On a lightly floured surface, knead a few times until dough just holds together.

Roll out to a 18" X 12' rectangle.

Evenly spread meat mixture on top of dough.

Starting at one long end, roll up cinnamon roll fashion.

Moisten edges and seal.

Trim off ragged ends.

Slice into 12 rolls and place on baking sheet; flatten slightly with palm.

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until just beginning to brown.

Serve with white sauce. (recipe follows)

Part 3:

While Roli-Poli is baking:

4 TBS butter or margarine

4 TBS flour

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 cups milk

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and stir and cook for about 2 minutes or until bubbly.

Add salt and pepper.

Stir in milk and continue to cook until thickened.

If sauce is too thick, add a little more milk until of desired consistency.

Domathes Yemistes (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes)

A shout-out to the Greek roots and one of my husband's very favorite dishes. Can be served as a side dish, but we usually eat it as a main dish.

12 large tomatoes

1 lb. ground beef or turkey

3 onions, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

1 tsp dry oregano

1 tsp Fines Herbes (in spice section)

1 cup rice, uncooked

1 cup shredded carrot

salt & pepper to taste

olive oil

Cut tops off tomatoes and reserve.

Scoop out pulp, chop and reserve.

Place tomato shells in baking dish and sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano, and Herbes.

In a skillet, lightly sautee onion, garlic, and beef.

Add grated carrots, rice, 1 cup of reserved pulp, and 1/2 cup water.

Simmer for 30 minutes.

Spoon mixture into shells and cap with tops.

Combine remaining pulp with 1 1/2 cups water and 6 TBS oil.

Pour this mixture over tomatoes.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes; basting occasionally.

Spoon sauce over tomatoes and serve.

Porcupine Meatballs

Another family favorite... Quick, quick quick!

We've started using ground turkey in place of ground beef in many recipes.

1 cup Minute Rice + 1/2 cup extra if desired.

1 lb ground beef or turkey (do not cook)

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 onion, chopped

1 tall can (46 oz) tomato juice

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup rice, beef, onion, egg, 1/2 cup tomato juice, salt, and pepper.

Shape mixture into balls. (larger than a golf ball, smaller than a tennis ball)

Place in large, deep pot. (1 layer)

Pour remaining juice over meatballs.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until meat is done and rice is tender.

I usually add 1/2 cup extra rice to juice before cooking.

Good served with leftover or instant mashed potatoes.

Double Cheese Casserole

We discovered this recipe shortly after we were married and it's been a favorite ever since!

1 &1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni noodles, cooked and drained

1 lb. ground beef or turkey

1 small onion, diced

1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 cup cottage cheese (optional; add extra sour cream if omitting)

1 3-oz. pkg. cream cheese

1/4 to 1/2 cup sour cream (depending on if adding cottage cheese or not)

1 medium tomato, sliced

Heat oven to 350.

In a large skillet, cook and stir meat and onion, until meat is browned and onion is tender.

Drain any fat.

Stir in tomato sauce, salt & pepper.

Heat to boiling and simmer 1 minute.

Remove from heat and stir in cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream until well blended.

Pour into ungreased 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.
Add cooked, drained noodles

Arrange sliced tomatoes on top.

Cover and bake 30 minutes or until bubbly.

4-6 servings.

Prize-Winning Meat Loaf

This is a Quaker Oats recipe that my mom always made, but I've modified it a little. Leftovers make man-pleasing sandwiches!!

1 lb. lean ground beef or ground turkey

1 cup tomato juice or sauce, undiluted tomato soup, jarred spaghetti sauce, or whatever you have on hand.

3/4 cup dry oats (quick or old fashioned)

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Heat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing lightly but completely.

Press into 8 X 4-inch loaf pan.

Bake 1 hour (160 internal degrees)

Let stand 5 minutes; slice.