Okra (not breaded and fried)

My family loves fried okra.  I made it once and won't make it again for a long long time.  However, this is a very similar taste and much healthier.  Chop of the ends of okra and cut them up into bite size pieces.   (This can be done earlier in the day.) Sprinkle with a little garlic powder.  Heat  a little bit of olive oil in a skillet.  I use just enough for it to cover the bottom.  Put okra in the pan.  It takes 7-10 minutes or so.  I cook them until they start turning brown.  Take them out of pan and sprinkle with coarse salt.  Best served hot.

Enchiladas

I have tried several different kinds of enchiladas over the years.  I told Zeb I was making them this week and he said could I make the original ones that he didn't like them creamy.  Ha! Original ones!  From 11 years ago--I have no idea.  Hence one of the reasons I am doing this blog.  So I can actually keep up with what I am cooking!

I looked in several cookbooks and ended up talking to my sister, Sara.  This is her recipe and it is THE EASIEST enchiladas ever!  I ate one for breakfast since I made them at 8:00 in the morning.  I thought they were really good and I can't wait for Zeb to try it!

Ingredients:
cooked chicken (I used a rotisserie which I don't use a lot and used the whole thing)
large can of green chiles (didn't use all of it)
large can of green enchilada sauce
tortillas (I like the small ones)
Monterey Jack cheese ( I used a large block and just had a bit left over)

This made 16 or 17 enchiladas

Mix the chicken, chiles, some of the cheese together.  Put in tortillas and lay seam side down in a lightly greased pan.  Poor the enchilada sauce over and try to lightly cover all of the tortillas.  Sprinkle with any extra cheese.  Bake on 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Pioneer Woman's Salsa

This is our very favorite salsa recipe!  Super easy!  Just throw it in the food processor and it is done.

Ingredients:
28 oz. can of whole tomatoes in juice
2 cans of rotel (I use milder)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 whole jalapeno, quartered
1/4 tsp of sugar
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 cup cilantro
1/2 lime, juiced

Put everything in food processor.  Pulse 10 or so times depending on how chunky you like it! Serve with your favorite chips.

Sandi's Spaghetti

This is my mother in laws famous spaghetti recipe.  It is so so easy and delicious.  It does take a while so plan ahead!

Day 1:
Ingredients:
large package of ground chuck
bread crumbs
salt and peper
flour

Sprinkle bread crumbs and salt and pepper into the meat.  I just eye ball it.  Just do enough bread crumbs to hold meat together.  Roll into balls and then roll the balls in flour.  Cook for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  Put in fridge when cool.  You won't need these until day 2.

Ingredients:
2 large cans of tomato paste
4 (15-16 oz) cans of tomato sauce
2 cans of milder rotel tomatoes
1 whole onion, chopped
1 whole bunch of celery, chopped
6 TBS of oregano
3 tsp of salt and up to 3 tsp of pepper depending on how hot you like it

Put in a crockpot and cook on low overnight.

Day 2:
Add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water to sauce.  Add meatballs.  Cook on low 8-10 hours.

This makes a lot! But it freezes very well.