New twist on grilling burgers

At the risk of having things thrown at me, the weather we have been having has been gorgeous!  Temps in the 70's just scream "grilling weather!"  So that is exactly what we have been doing!  My hubby is the grill master and it has been so great to have a little tease of summer by enjoying some grilled entrees!  This one is a little twist on the common grilled burger.  My hubby is forever trying to mix things up when it comes to his grill recipes and this one seems to be a hit!

What he used:
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup shredded cheese, divided
sprinkling of Cajun seasoning (to taste)
salt and pepper (to taste)

Form a thin layer of meat into a patty, layer with cheese and top with another thin layer of beef formed into a patty.   Top with cajun seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.  Continue until beef is all used up.
Place on grill and cook until no longer pink inside (unless of course you enjoy your burgers still mooing :)

Such a great tasting burger if I do say so myself!  Can you see the cheese already oozing out of there?! Mmmm-mmm good!  From our kitchen to yours, ENJOY!

One pot Italian Casserole

So on days like today, cold and snowy, a good casserole can really hit the spot.  This recipe is amazing!  The flavors that your taste buds will adore is incredible! 

What I used:
1 lb. ground beef
1tbs. minced garlic (in the jar)
1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14.5oz.) beef broth
1 cup water
2 cups macaroni pasta, uncooked
1 green bell pepper, sliced into chunks
1 can (6oz.) tomato paste
a hint of Italian seasoning
shredded cheese of your choice to top it all off

Brown your meat with your garlic until meat is cooked through.  Add tomatoes, broth and water, mix well.  Bring to a boil.  Add your pasta and pepper; mix well.  Cover and reduce heat to med.; simmer for 15 min. or until pasta is tender.  Add your tomato paste and Italian seasoning; mix well.  Top with your choice of cheese!

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Shepherds Pie

I have had this dish many times but had never put my mind to making it....honestly I don't know why! It was a wonderful hit with the family! Even my two year old was asking for more and that is a rare occasion! It sure does "hit the spot" on those cold wintry days.

What I used:
1lb. ground beef (for a healthier option you can use turkey)
1/2 bag of frozen mixed veggies
3/4 cup beef broth
2tsp. Worcester sauce
12 red potatoes, peeled, quartered and cooked

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Get your potatoes in your pot to boil. If you don't have much time I am sure you can also use the boxed potatoes and make your recipe even easier! While the potatoes are cooking put brown your beef until cooked through. While your beef is browning add your broth, Worcester sauce and veggies. Cook until the meat is brown. Now, back to your potatoes. Make up your mashed potatoes how you normally do. I added a dash of garlic powder just for some added flavor. Take a baking dish (depending on your family size) I used a dish just a little smaller then a 9x13. Spray with cooking spray. Add your meat and veggie mixture. Top with your mashed potatoes. Bake uncovered for 30 min., until the mixture is bubbly or the potatoes are browned.
From our table to yours, bon appetite!















This photo was taken just before the Shepherd's Pie went into the oven.

Taco Soup

Nothing beats a hearty soup on a cold wintry day! Give this one a try!

What I used:

1 lb. ground turkey

1 can (15.5 oz.) mild chili beans, undrained

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (14.25 oz.) corn, undrained

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) Taco Seasoning Mix

1-1/2 cups water

1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Brown meat in large saucepan. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese; stir frequently. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min., stirring occasionally.
SERVE topped with the cheese.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Great Tasting Meatloaf

This recipe makes your meatloaf taste sooo delicious! I got the recipe off of allrecipes.com and I forgot to take a picture of it! However if you want a look at it you can find it under Jackies Meatloaf (or something similar to it:). I did tweak the recipe to my own family's liking so it will look a little different with some of the ingred.

What I used:
1lb. ground turkey (recipe calls for beef)
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. garlic powder
ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a baking/bread pan. Place the ground turkey, eggs bread crumbs and 1/2 cup ketchup in a large bowl. Mix by hand, and season with salt, garlic powder and pepper. Form into a loaf shape, and place in the prepared baking pan. Bake 1hr.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger

My mom sent this recipe to me and said it just sounded so good so I thought I would send it along to everyone else! If anyone has tried this please let us know how it tastes!


1/4 c. scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 c. celery, finely chppd.
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled & diced
1/8 c. canola oil
4 lbs. gr. turkey breast
2 T. salt
1 T. black pepper
2 t. chipolte Tabasco
1 lemon, juice and grated zest
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chppd.
1/4 c. Major Grey's Chutney (pear and apple), pureed.

Saute' scallions, celery, and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool. Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautee'd items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8 - oz. burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Season turkey burgers with salt and peper. Place on a preheated lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 mins. until meat is throughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes. Serve with Major Grey's Chutney.

I hope it tastes as good as it sounds.
From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Italian meatballsSimple

Simple, easy and bursting with flavor!


What I used:
1 lb. ground turkey
1/4 cup Italian salad dressing
10 crushed saltine crackers
1/4 cup sour cream
Fettuccine pasta
1 beef bullion cube
Sprinkling of cheddar cheese

Take your crushed crackers and 2 tbs. salad dressing and mix it well with your meat. Form several meat balls. Pour the rest of the dressing (add more if needed) into a skillet and heat up. Place your meatballs in the skillet once warmed. Be sure to get your pasta cooking while your meatballs are cooking as well. Brown and cook the meatballs through then add your bullion cube. Once everything is cooked, add your sour cream and cook only 30 seconds or so. Serve over pasta and you are Ready to eat!!

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Popover Pizza Casserole

This dish was a hit with my hubby, but honestly it was not my favorite. I suppose it all depends on your taste buds :) It was pretty simple to make!

What I used:
1 lb. ground turkey
1 jar pizza sauce
1 bag (12oz) mozzarella cheese
1 can mushrooms
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
2 eggs

Brown your meat, pour in pizza sauce and mushrooms. Bring to a boil then remove from heat for 2-3 min. Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and pour in your meat mixture. Top with cheese. In a bowl combine the flour, milk and eggs, beat well. Pour this mixture on top of the layer of cheese. Bake at 425 for 25-30 min.
(This recipe came from the book 6 ingred. or less, I added the mushrooms, not in original recipe.)

Biscuit Topped Italian Casserole

I was in the mood for Italian last night :) Hope you enjoy it!

What I used:

1 lb. ground turkey (recipe called for beef...I used turkey instead)
1 can tomato sauce
3/4 cup water
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 pkg. frozen mixed veggies
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 tube refrig. buttermilk biscuits
1 tbs. marg. melted
1/2 tsp. oregano

Cook meat. Stir in tomato sauce, water & pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15 min. Remove from heat. Stir in veg. and 1 1/2 cups cheese. Transfer to a greased baking dish. (It calls for a 9x13 but I used a smaller one) Split each biscuit in 1/2. Arrange biscuits around edge of dish, overlapping slightly; brush w/ butter and sprinkle with oregano. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the meat mixture. Bake uncovered at 375 for 25-30 min.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Chicken Casserole

Shortly after graduating from college my husbands mother made up a recipe book for him, kind of to help him as he would be needing to cook for himself! They were simple recipes that anyone can make and they taste great. My hubby is a great chef himself, but this book helped him along. This recipe was included in it and please forgive me for not having a picture. I forgot to take one yesterday when I made this! (ooops!)

What I used:
1 chicken breast cut up (this can increase according to family size)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
good dollop of sour cream (enough to make it creamy)
Mix all together
Top with:
1 tube Ritz crackers (or any other brand, works just as well)
1 stick of melted butter

Bake at 350 for 50 min. Serve over cooked noodles, you can also serve this over rice.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Favorite meal when homesick....

Growing up in my family there were several meals we enjoyed having frequently and coming from a family of 7 they needed to be within a reasonable price range. Now, some of those meals I make for my own family and though they may not seem spectacular, they remind me of home and now my own family enjoys them just as much! This meal is so simple and I know it is a Harrington favorite, it is called "Brown Gravy and Rice". Simple name, simple meal but tastes so yummy!

What I used:

Rice (enough for your family)
1 lb. ground turkey
1 packet of brown gravy mix

Get your rice cooking. Brown up your turkey and follow the directions on the back of your brown gravy mix. If you just bought the envelope of mix it will tell you add one cup of water and pour in the mix. Let it boil, then simmer. Once done you dish up your rice and pour your gravy mix over it. Hardly any time at all!

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Taco Ring

Looking for a quick Sunday meal? If your family is like ours, when we get home from church on Sunday morning our stomachs are growling and waiting for dinner is something not wanted! This Taco Ring is so easy, delicious and will be on your table in under 20 min.! Give it a try, it is so yummy!

What I used:

2 tubes of refrigerated crescent rolls
1 lb. ground turkey
1/2 can of diced tomatoes (you can use fresh as well)
1 cup grated cheese
1/2 cup ketchup

Brown meat. Take you average size pizza pan and roll out the crescent rolls so that the small point is facing out. Make a big circle with them being sure to pinch together each corner. Take your meat and spread it across the big portion of your crescent rolls, go all the way around. Next take your tomatoes and do the same followed by your ketchup and cheese. Now take the small pointed end of the crescent roll and bring it around and pinch it underneath the bigger portion. Be sure to get it sealed together. Repeat all the way around the circle. Bake at 350 for 12 min.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Tater Tot Casserole

Not sure if you all are fans of the famous tater tot, but this is a tasty meal and doesn't take much time, which is pretty precious these days! Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen making a meal when you have little one or even big kids around to spend time with?! :)

What I used:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup
dash of salt and pepper
1 dollop of daisy (dollop of sour cream...I couldn't resist!)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag of tater tots

1. Brown your meat. Once browned add your soup, mix well.

2. Add your meat to a greased baking dish, mix in sour cream and cheese. Top with tator tots. Pop it in the oven at 375 for 30-35 min.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Fiesta Lasagna

I got this recipe out of Taste of Home's Dec./Jan. magazine but I made a few revisions of my own. It tasted like an enchilada with noodles :) My hubby said, "Mexican met Italian!" It was pretty good and fun to make, though it did take a bit of time.

What I used:

2 cut up boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can chili beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can chilies
1 can refried beans
1 cup salsa
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1 1/2 cup mozz. cheese
Dash of Oregano
Dash of cumin
Dash of salt and pepper
1 pkg. taco seasoning

9 lasagna noodles


Get your water boiling for the lasagna noodles and cook until tender. Meanwhile cook up your chicken. Once cooked all the way through add your chili beans, tomatoes, chilies, refried beans, salsa, seasonings and taco seasoning. Heat all the way through. In a separate bowl mix your sour cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese and mozz. cheese.
Grease a 9x13" dish and pour 1 cup of meat mixture into the bottom of the dish. Take 3 lasagna noodles and place on top of the meat mixture, then add meat mixture and cheese mixture. Layer 3 times. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hr. Once done you can add more sour cream and mozz. cheese on top and bake uncovered for 10-12 more min.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Speedy Beef Hash

Breakfast anyone? This makes a fantastic breakfast or even lunch! My hubby enjoys a little spice in his food so this was the perfect meal for him! It takes maybe 20 min. to make and you can add or take away anything!

What I used:

1 lb ground turkey
3 cups hash browns
1 cup salsa
1/4 cup ketchup
salt and pepper to season
Sprinkling of monterey jack cheese

Brown your meat and add potatoes. Wait until your potatoes are slightly brown before adding the salsa, ketchup, salt and pepper. Mix well, heat through and top with cheese. You can change or add anything in here. Eggs and sausage would even be great if you enjoy them!

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Spaghetti anyone?

Do you remember the meals you had on your first few dates? For many, some how it usually ends up being SPAGHETTI! Then comes the awkwardness of trying to wrap those noodles just right around your fork so they do not come flying back at you as soon as you try to stick it in your mouth! Needless to say, spaghetti can be a messy meal, especially if you have kids! Besides, the kid in us usually makes us want to slurp those noodles up the easy way! Well, I have found a simple a solution! I have been using different noodles, last night I used bow ties and it works great and cuts down the mess! For those of you that are angel hair noodle lovers, go ahead and use whatever suits your fancy. This dish is so easy to make and takes next to nearly no time at all!

Ingredients:

Several cups of water
As much dry pasta as is needed for your family size
Can of Spaghetti sauce (again size of can is determined by your family size)
Mushrooms (try going with the fresh ones!)
Instead of using ground beef, try the healthier alternative and use ground turkey!
Small amount of shredded cheese.

Get that meat in the skillet and get it browning while the water for your pasta begins to boil. Once your water is at a raging boil go ahead and dump your pasta in! Be sure to stir it every now and then so it doesn't stick. Once your meat is browned add your sauce and mushrooms. Stir it up well and let it come to a slight boil then turn it to low and let it simmer.
Once your pasta is ready drain the noodles and you can either mix them with the sauce or serve them up separately. Add cheese for garnish.

I also had a fresh green salad to go with our meal. I made my own bacon bits and just added some shredded cheese. The great thing about salad is that you can add whatever your heart desires! We topped ours off with Tomato and Basil salad dressing. Delicious!

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

The finished product














Wonderful tasting salad!