Sloppy Joes

No more sandwich from a can.  This mixture is juicy and packed with flavor.  I added a little bit of dry tomato powder and WOW!...even better!

Sloppy Joes                                                                                              Printable Recipe

2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 celery ribs, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 2/3 cups canned crushed tomatoes (or 1 pint home canned chopped tomatoes)
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon steak sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
buns

Candy Cane Biscotti

Biscotti means twice-baked.  The traditional recipe uses no form of yeast or fat  but I added a little butter to my dough. These crunchy little beauties are great dipped in your coffee or hot cocoa or wrap them up and give them as gifts for others to enjoy.  

Candy Cane Biscotti                                                                                   Printable Recipe

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon mint (or peppermint) extract

2-1/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/16 teaspoon salt

6 candy canes

1/3 cup milk chocolate

1/3 cup white chocolate chips

2/3 Tablespoon shortening, divided

1 candy cane crushed (optional)

Tuscan Roma Chicken and Pasta

There is this pizza, called Tuscan Roma, that I LOVE from a local pizza chain . It's Roma tomatoes, spinach, alfredo sauce and of course cheese! I have my own recipe to make it a home.

This hearty pasta takes all of those flavors I love and puts it all together in this creamy pasta dish.  Italian comfort food, good for the tummy and good for the heart!

Tuscan Roma Chicken and Pasta

1-1/4 pound chicken breasts or tenders

olive oil

salt and pepper

Sauce:

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1-1/2 Tablespoons flour*

1/4 cup white wine

1/2 cup chicken broth

1-1/2 cups whole milk or half and half if you prefer it richer

4 ounces fresh spinach, chopped

6 ounce bag (1-1/2 cups) shredded Parmesan (not the stuff in the shaker)

1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped

4 ounces spaghetti noodles (or other favorite pasta, GF works well too)