Spaghetti and Meatballs

I've made them before, using my Betty Crocker cookbook, but these meatballs were from the frozen section of the grocery store. However, I did add shredded zucchini to the jar of ready-made sauce so I didn't have to serve another vegetable with dinner.

It seems that anything with meat is a hit now that we only have meat every other day or so. And with kids, spaghetti noodles are always a hit (then a rather sticky mess, but hey, dinner is fun).

Taco Salads

The Taco Salads were just regular salad with some taco-seasoned tofu, olives, avocado, tomato and shredded cheese. A little variation to my usual salad

Steaks and more

On the grill:
steaks (No Name brand)

On the grill, on greased tinfoil:
sliced zucchini, mushrooms and onions
Pierogies

Yum!

Vegetarian White Chili

Today's concoction ...

In the crock pot, on low for 8 hours:

1 can butter beans

1 can northern beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can chicken broth

1/2 large onion, chopped

1 yellow pepper, chopped

2 t. minced garlic

2 t. ground cumin

2 t. parsley

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/2 t. chili powder

Verdict:

Good! Leesha and her friend both had seconds. Jack and Maggie ate some too.

Debut Stuffed Peppers

I've never eaten stuffed peppers, so here are my ...

Debut Stuffed Peppers

2 peppers; tops, seeds, etc. cut out

Mix separately:

1/2 c. cooked, mashed squash

1/4 c. chopped sweet onion

1/4 c. chopped mushrooms

1/4 c. chopped broccoli

2 slices of bread, torn

1 egg

pepper

Stuff mixture into peppers

Place in shallow ceramic dish, cover with foil

Bake at 350 for 50 minutes

cover with cheese and bake an additional 15 minutes

Verdict:

Needs more flavor. Salt and more cheese improved them. Without a doubt, meat would add to the flavor as well.

Spaghetti Sauce from scratch

Saute in olive oil:

* remember, this is approximate *

1 1/2 c. celery

1 c. onion

5 cloves garlic

Added:

a "whole bunch" of cut up tomatoes

some Italian seasoning

salt

pepper

sugar

later:

It's okay. If I was really into making my own sauce, I'd work on tweaking it, but this was just to use up some tomatoes.

Chicken Salsa Chili

Okay, tonight is "no recipe night". Here's what I did:

In large pot, heat some olive oil and browned 1.5 lbs. chopped boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Adding in whatever order I copped them:

3 tomatoes

1 yellow bell pepper

1 orange bell pepper

1 red bell pepper

1 onion

celery

As well as:

1 can of corn

1 can of black beans

1 package of fresh cilantro

minced garlic

juice of two limes

salt

pepper

(dinner is served with blue corn chips)

Verdict:

very good!

I wouldn't have touched this with a ten foot pole 6 months ago. Meatless March had an effect on me.

Comments:

I'd like to try purple or sweet onions, some jalapenos (Trader Joe's didn't have any) and chicken broth or tofu just to do a meatless variety. More beans would be fine too. For those that like them, a green pepper would certainly add something.