MY WORLD FAMOUS SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Well at least famous in my little world, Ha Ha. My 8 year old grandson had to call me on the phone and tell me that he ate 2 plates!!  Everyone I make this for just loves it so give it a try the next time you make spaghetti.
                                                         

1 lb. Italian sausage casings removed (mild or hot)
1-lb. ground beef
1- med onion chopped
4-garlic cloves minced
1-28oz can diced tomatoes
2-6oz cans tomato paste
2-15oz cans tomato sauce
2-cups of water, I rinse out all the cans to get every drop of goodness.
3-t basil
2-t parsley
2-T brown sugar
1-t salt
1/2-t red pepper flakes
1/4 cup good red wine( if you wouldn't drink it don't cook with it)
1-lb thin spaghetti ( we like Angel Hair)
parmesan cheese

In large, heavy stockpot, brown Italian sausage, and Ground beef breaking up as you stir.

2 Add onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until onions are softened.

3 Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water.

4 Add basil, parsley, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.

5 Stir well and barely bring to a boil.

6 Stir in red wine.

7 Simmer on low, stirring frequently for at least an hour. A longer simmer makes for a better sauce, just be careful not to let it burn. I cook mine on low and slow for at least 4 hours.

 

 8 Cook spaghetti according to package directions
 9 Spoon sauce over drained spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

I have made this in the crock pot also and just let it go on low all day. Heaven!

This is my base sauce, I sometimes add zucchini, mushrooms, whatever you want

Now just sit back and have a glass of wine and listen to all the complements.

Enjoy.
Allison





















                               

                          
                                                                                                                            

 

CARAMELIZED FRENCH ONION DIP

One of my family members gave me this recipe, and I don't know if it's better to have warm when its just done or after a few days of sitting. I love it both ways, after it's been in the fridge(if it makes it there) let it warm up a bit before you eat it, This dip is addicting you will love it and it's worth the time to really cook the onions.

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter

1 medium sweet onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rings

Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon honey

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 cup dry vermouth or dry white wine

3/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup (2 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish

Dash of cayenne pepper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add the butter to a larger heavy skillet.

Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fry the onions, flipping them now and then, until they're dark on the edges, even black and crispy in spots, about 10 minutes. Add the honey and garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the vermouth, bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Put the sour cream and cream cheese in a mixing bowl and mix with a rubber spatula until smooth. Finely chop the fried onions on a cutting board and add them, along with their pan juices, to the cream cheese mixture. Stir in the chives. Add the cayenne and season with salt.
Transfer to a small bowl and garnish with more chives. (This can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.)

ENJOY!
Allison

BEST BAKED BEANS EVER!!!

Do you think you can't improve on your best baked bean recipe? Well think again my friends. We have been making this bean recipe for years and it is a HIT at any gathering. Your family will Love this. This can be a meal by itself with a nice crusty bread, or a fantastic side dish. Super duper easy, just put every thing in the crock pot and let er go.

Oh by the way I could not find a butter bean at the grocery store to save my soul. So just improvise if you have to I used northern beans instead.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED
1/2 lb ground beef and 1/2 cup chopped onion browned and drained
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  2 Tbsp. mustard
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 16oz can kidney beans, drained
1 16oz can pork and beans, drained
1 16oz can butter beans, drained
Save sum of the juice from the beans in a small cup for later
Mix and but into the crock pot on low for about 2-3 hours till hot and bubbly. or if your in a real hurry mix and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees
Use some of the liquid from the beans to add during cooking if you would like it a little more soupy. but don't add it right away till they cook for a while and you see the consistency. that's it they are done.
Enjoy!
Allison

EASY FRENCH BREAD

We are getting a lot of rain down here today, so I thought it would be a good day to post a blog about my easy French Bread. This recipe is for a 2 LB loaf and it comes out perfect every time.
I make this in my bread machine then bake it in the oven. You have to try this one its fantastic!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water, at about 105 degrees
4 cups flour ( bread flour)
1 1/2 tsp salt I like kosher
2 1/2 tsp dry yeast

Directions:
Add the ingredients in the order your bread maker needs
For mine it's water first
Then I add 1/2 of the flour and the salt then the rest of the flour then the yeast on top
Set your machine for the Dough cycle.

When your dough is done take it out and cut dough in 1/2 on a floured board roll each 1/2 into a long rope.  Place on a greased baking sheet that has a little corn meal on it and cut small slits about 4 just through top to the bread.
Brush with ice water then cover with a tea towel and let rise for 1 hour then brush with egg wash and I like to sprinkle a little kosher salt on top of my bread before I bake it. If you want a softer crust brush with cream instead of egg wash.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-35 min.
Enjoy!
Allison

PERFECT PEACH CAKE

Wow is it Hot down here! It's been in the 90's and we need rain.
  The snowbirds have gone north for the summer so it's pretty quiet where I live.
 Our friend and neighbor Jeanie left the end of May but before she left she made this wonderful peach cake that she shared with us.
 My husband enjoyed it so much he asked for more! I told him you can't ask for more when someone brings you something and he said" watch me" Ha! Ha! He LOVED this cake.
 Jeanie was a real trooper and brought him the rest of the cake and also brought me the recipe (Thank You Jeanie)  So here is the recipe for this Perfect Peach Cake I hope you all enjoy it as much as we did ( even though I didn't get much of it )

PERFECT PEACH CAKE:
2/3 cup butter or margarine,softened
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
4  medium peaches,peeled and chopped, or 3 cups frozen unsweetened peach slices, thawed and chopped.
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan and set aside.  In a large mixing bowl,beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.  in a medium bowl, stir together the flour,baking soda and salt.  Gradually add to the creamed mixture alternating with the buttermilk, beating until smooth after each addition.  Stir in the peaches by hand .  Pour the batter into the pan.  In a small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle over the batter.  Bake at 350 for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. serve warm with ice cream.
Enjoy!
Allison
http://allisonskitchen.blogspot.com

Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner team up for Save the Children

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well, The rain is still coming down here in Fl but I still think it's much better than 10 below 0 and snow that my family in Indiana is having. As part of the Foodbuzz team I have been contacted to help spread the word about raising money for Save the Children and to rediscover the fun of cooking together… and do some good, too

Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner ( Frigidaire.com ) are teaming up to inspire families everywhere to get together in the kitchen and start cooking together. Starting today, parents can join in the Frigidaire Kids' Cooking Academy to get great recipes. It's the ultimate parent resource,featuring daily tips, tasty recipes and how-to videos starring chef and TV personality Mary Sue Milliken. All designed to help involve kids in the kitchen.

When they do, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children to help make sure that more children have access to healthy foods. and promote healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty in the United States.

Plus, to help spread the word, everyone who participates will be entered for a chance to win the daily prize, a kids' apron set, and the grand prize: a new Double Oven Range from Frigidaire.
Here is my own Kid friendly recipe for you to try:

COFFEE MUG CAKE


1 coffee mug
3 tbsp milk
3 tbsp oil

4tbsp. flour 3 tbsp choc. chips

4tbsp. sugar some nuts--optional

2tbsp baking cocoa small splash of vanilla

1 egg

Add dry ingredients to mug & mix well. Pour in milk, oil & egg & mix well. Add chips, nuts if using & vanilla, mix well. Place mug in microwave & cook for 3 min. on high. Allow to cool a little & tip out on plate if desired. Enjoy!!


So lets get cookin'! Head to http://www.maketimeforchange.com and get inspired to cook with your kids.
I'm also asking all of you to send this post to all your friends and family. Together we can help raise money for Save the Children. No Child should go hungry.

Thanks for all your help.
Allison
http://allisonskitchen.blogspot.com
Thanks to Everyone
Allison

GRANDMAS HOLIDAY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Grandmas Holiday Peanut Butter Cookies

allisonskitchen.blogspot.com

This was my grandmothers favorite Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe, I always remember my grandmother and my aunt Dorthy in the kitchen making these cookies and I always remember the big bowl that they made them in. When I went to PA. last August, my aunt gave me my grandmothers bowl, so I thought I would make some cookies,But i couldn't bring myself to use the bowl, I have it in a special spot in my kitchen, so nothing happens to it.

1/2 cup Butter(Soft)

1 cup Brown Sugar

3/4 cup JIFF

1- Egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cups of Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 tsp Salt ( adjust salt if you use salted butter)

Beat Butter,Brown Sugar, and Peanut Butter Then add egg and vanilla and mix well.

Mix flour, baking powder and soda and salt. Gradually add to peanut butter mix and beat till blended.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Heat Oven to 350
Shape into 1 1/4 " balls Then roll balls in some granulated sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

With tines of a fork, press onto cookie in each direction, dip fork into sugar so it does not stick to your cookie.
 
Bake 9 to 10 min.
Cool  for a few min. then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Do Not OVERCOOK!
Enjoy!
Allison
Allisonskitchen.blogspot.com

WINE JELLY

Finances in a jam? Here's a great gift idea, gifts from the kitchen are a great way to stretch holiday budgets. And your family and friends will love the special touch of getting a gift from the heart.
WINE JELLY
3 1/2 cups wine
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 ounce package dry pectin
4 1/2 cups white sugar
combine wine,lemon juice and pectin in a large pot. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Return to a rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam off top, if necessary.
Ladle hot jelly into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. tighten 2 piece lids. process for 5 minutes in boiling water bath.
Enjoy
allison
Allisons Kitchen