Potluck/Carry-in/Mannafest Meal

We're having a Mannafest Meal at our church on Sunday...that's code for potluck or carry-in. I'm supposed to bring either a 9x13 casserole dish to share or a crockpot dish. I know there's all kinds of things I could bring, but I'm coming up blank on anything I want to bring. Any suggestions? I'm toying with the idea of trying something new, so if you have a recipe that you think would work, send it my way! :)

this week

Well...sick kiddos here are seriously limiting the amount of time I'm spending in the kitchen. But here's the plan, and I use that word loosely, for this week:
Monday: Grilled pork chops, salad, baked potatoes
Tuesday: Pizza
Wednesday: Hamburgers, salad, baked beans, fruit salad
Thursday: Spanish Rice, chips, salad
Friday: leftovers
Saturday and Sunday: undecided

Italian Meatballs

A couple months back, my cousin, Kristi, had my family over for dinner while my mom was visiting. It was very last minute, so I was amazed that she decided to make meatballs from scratch and serve us spaghetti and meatballs. That would be a lot for anyone on one day's notice, but Kristi has three kids, the youngest of whom was only 3 months old at the time! Anyway, the meatballs were delicious and I, of course, asked for the recipe. A couple weeks ago, I finally got around to trying them myself. I've always thought meatballs = time consuming + a lot of work, however, that wasn't the case. These cook in the crockpot after you bake them, so they're pretty low-key. One thing I really like about this recipe is that it's pretty basic, so you could play with it and make it your own. I think next time, I'll throw in some grated parmesean--my family loves all things cheesy! :) Also, I halved the recipe, but next time I think I'll make the whole thing and freeze the leftovers for another busy time. Here's the recipe and some pics. Enjoy!

Meatballs

1 lb. lean (or whatever you prefer) ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1 sleeve of saltines (I've used wheat Ritz in the past and they were good!)
2 eggs
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder OR 3 minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp. Italian seasoning (
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional...I like mine with a bit of a kick!)

*2 tbsp. olive oil for sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400. Crush crackers until finely ground.
2. In a large bowl combine w/beef, pork, eggs, garlic, Italian seasoning, olive oil and red pepper flakes.

3. Mix well with hands.
4. Shape into meatballs (whatever size you prefer--I made mine the size of my kids toy golfballs).

5. Line up on two foil-lined cookie sheets or 9 x 13 baking dishes.

6. Bake for approx. 35 min. at 400.
7. Add meatballs and 2 jars of spaghetti sauce (w/1 tbsp. olive oil mixed into each jar) to crockpot.
8. Leave on high for 1-2 hrs. then turn to low.

I usually have to add more sauce when having leftovers. Just depends on how much sauce you like.

Menu

So, I'm back this week, but it's going to be an abbreviated week. We're going to visit my husband's parents and my grandparents this weekend. Here's the menu around here:

Monday: french toast, sausage links, scrambled eggs
Tuesday: Salsa Chicken, corn, salad
Wednesday: Marinated grilled chicken, fruit salad and leftover corn
Thursday-Sunday: on the road...

This week, I will post the recipe for spaghetti and meatballs that I mentioned a couple weeks ago. Also, I'll post the salsa chicken recipe w/ pics and add some pictures to the marinated grilled chicken. That marinade is really our favorite and has become the favorite of several of our friends. Check it out! :)

MIA

I know I haven't posted much lately, between Easter and two little boys, I've been BUSY! And this week, we've got friends visiting, so...the break continues. I do have pics and a recipe to post when I get time. Hope you've had a wonderful Easter and that you'll be back to check out some new recipes next week! :)

Roasted, Marinated Pork Tenderloin

My sweet friend, Kim, passed this recipe recommendation to me, but it was supposed to be grilled. The snow and sleet we got today turned it into a roasted tenderloin instead. I have to say that the end result was pretty darn good. I am still planning to try it grilled sometime, but this way the meat was literally falling apart and you can't beat that! :) Hope you enjoy!

Roasted, Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients:
a pork tenderloin (ours was small, approx. 2 1/2 lbs.)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 cup orange juice
the juice of one lime
1 garlic clove minced
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. dijon mustard

1. Combine all ingredients in a large ziploc bag.
2. Add pork and refrigerate for at least 4 hours--best if you can all night.
3. Pour all ingredients in a deep baking dish and bake at 275 for 3-4 hours. (you could also do this in the crockpot for a little longer time)

for the original recipe and grilling instructions, click here. :)

Menu

I'm crazy busy right now, but I'm going to try to get a the menu and a new recipe posted real quick! Here goes:

Monday: Roasted Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Tuesday: Chicken Corn Soup
Wednesday: Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs*
Thursday: Salsa Chicken*
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Brats and Hotdogs
Sunday: lunch at a friends

*these are both new and I'll post recipes and pics as I can! :)

Cornflake Chicken

A month or so ago, my friend Christina mentioned that she was going to try this recipe. Afterwards, she had nothing but good things to say and has mentioned several times that she was making it again. She has a 3 1/2 year old and a 5 month old, so I know she's not into extravagant recipes right now and I think I've loved every recipe she's passed my way. I'm not really sure why I didn't try it sooner. Sunday I decided to put it on the menu for this week. However, when I did my grocery shopping on Monday, I completely forgot to buy cornflakes--seriously!?! I briefly contemplated trying to pick the bran flakes out of raisin bran or using the flakes from Special K, but ultimately ended up running to the store again today. This recipe is simple but tasty. And what really puts it over the top in my book is that both of my little ones, who are 3 1/2 and 1 1/2, loved it! You really should give it a try! :)

Cornflake Chicken

Ingredients:

2 cups of cornflakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
dash of garlic powder (optional)
1/4 cup of butter, melted (possibly more, depending on how much chicken you use)
1-2 pounds of chicken

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan.
2. Crush cornflakes.

3. Mix cornflakes, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
4. Dredge chicken in butter, then roll in the cornflakes mixture.

5. Lay chicken in baking pan. Sprinkle remaining flake mixture over top.

6. Bake for 25-35 minutes--depending on the thickness of your chicken--until chicken is cooked clear through.