Homemade Sloppy Joes

This is another family favorite and super easy to make…and quick!

This recipe is from the Heinz Co. but I modified it and changed and added ingredients.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

1 tablespoon shortening
1 LB ground turkey
2/3 cup onion, chopped finely
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon flour
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup ketchup
1 cup water (I put a little water of the 1/4 cup in at a time
until I have the thickness I want–I do not use all of the water).
1/2 cup finely chopped green or red bell pepper (optional)

10 hamburger buns, heated or toasted.

I double the recipe for my family. It also makes great leftovers for lunches.

Directions

Melt shortening in skillet; add meat and next 4 ingredients; cook until meat loses the red color, stirring occasionally. Drain off the grease using a colander. Return meat to pan and stir in water, Worcestershire sauce and ketchup; allow to simmer and stir occasionally for 15 to 20 minutes or until you have reached the desired thickness.

*This takes between 25-35 minutes to prep and cook.

Vegetable and Bean Soup (and Sock-It-To-Me Cake for Dessert)

This is one of my family’s favorite soups. Even my meat-loving hubby and picky preteen enjoy it. Shocker!
Here is the recipe below:

Ingredients:
1 can red kidney or black beans 1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove or 1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 potatoes, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 cup peas
1 can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
2 celery stalks, chopped (if you do not have this, that is okay)
1 can tomato soup + one can of water (if you need more water, add 1/2 cup at a time until veggies are submerged)
1 bay leaf
2 tsp basil
1/2 to 1 tsp black pepper, depending on taste
Salt (optional)

* I omit salt when cooking or baking because it is healthier.
I place this all in my crock-pot and cook on low for about 6 hrs.

Sock-It-To-Me Cake
This is absolutely my hubby’s favorite cake and is often requested by him. It is also quite delicious.

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix (can be generic)
4 eggs
1 C or 8 oz sour cream
1/3 C vegetable oil
1/4 C water
1/4 C sugar

Streusel Filling
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 C nuts finely chopped (optional–I do not use because my husband cannot have nuts)

Glaze
1 C confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)
1-2 Tbsp milk

Directions
Mix the ingredients together. Pour half of cake mixture into greased (make sure it is thickly coated) bundt pan. sprinkle streusel filling around the batter (that is in the bundt) and then take a butter knife and zig-zag around the bundt. Next, pour the remaining cake mixture on top. Bake in 325 degree oven for 30-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Oven degrees and times may vary. Once the cake is done, immediately turn the bundt over onto a plate. I found the cake slides out easier if the pan is still hot. Once cool, you may ice the cake by drizzling the icing over the cake. Cut and enjoy!

Tsp = teaspoon
Tbsp = tablespoon
C = Cup

Kielbasa Pasta

What’s for dinner tonight?  We are having Kielbasa Pasta.  It is one of our favorite meals here and is super simple to prepare and cook!
Ingredients:
1/2 head of Cabbage, sliced into strips or small cubes
One package Kielbasa sausage or polish, sliced
1 jar pasta sauce (your choice)
Tablespoon Crisco

1 small onion, minced
Minced garlic
Dried parsley

Diced tomatoes (fresh but you can used canned)

1 cup noodles (preferably Rotini, Penne, or Radiatori)

1 small zucchini (optional)

In a large skillet, melt the tablespoon of Crisco.  Toss the cabbage, zucchini, and onions in and cook until tender.  While that is simmering, boil the noodles in a separate pot with a little oil and salt.  After done, drain and set aside.  Add the sausage to the cabbage and onion mix and cook, stir continuously.  Add the noodles, tomatoes, pasta sauce, garlic, parsley, and desired spices. Stir until mixed and then serve.

These usually takes me about 30-45 minutes to prepare and cook.  I enjoy it because it is tasty, simple, and incorporates vegetables into a meal the family can enjoy.  I hope you all enjoy this as well.

Faith, love, and blessings,
Melissa