Sausage Ratatouille

Recipe inspired by one I found in Family Fun - took out the onion and replaced the eggplant with yellow squash. And made some other changes. Ya know, like we all do.

• 14 oz sausage
• 4 T olive oil
• 2 small yellow squash, sliced
• 2 small zucchini, sliced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
  
• 2 to 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 1/2 14 oz cans diced tomatoes
• salt and pepper
• 1t dried parsley
• 2t dried basil

Slice the sausage and cook in a large skillet - about 2 minutes on each side over medium heat. Transfer sausage to plate (leave all the delicious sausage juice in the skillet). In the same skillet saute yellow squash and zucchini in 3T olive oil for about 7 minutes, then transfer to plate. Put 1 T olive oil in skillet, saute bell pepper for 3 minutes, add garlic, parsley, basil and sausage saute for 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, zucchini and squash. Partially cover skillet and gentle simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt n pep. Serve with french bread, pasta or rice.

Chipotle Shredded Beef

I made this recipe up to put in tamales and it was surprisingly delicious. It would work well for tacos or tostadas too!

Ingredients:

4 lb. beef (like a roast... I don't remember what exact cut I used, but it was cheap)

3 c. chopped onion

13 cloves garlic, minced or crushed

1.5 T oregano

1 can chipotle adobo sauce with 2 whole chipotle peppers (I ended up just getting as much sauce out as possible and then spooning in two of the peppers as well, and it was spicy enough for me, but not too spicy for my husband or kids)

1 1/4 t. salt

1 c. chicken or vegetable stock

Directions:

Throw everything into the crock pot and cook on low heat for 8-12 hours. Shred and enjoy!

** Makes enough to make about 95 tamales... could easily be halved (or quartered), and I would even wager that any excess could probably be frozen.

Turkey Brandy Melts

There isn't any brandy in these. I don't even know why they are called that. I found this recipe on a blog. They are so yummy. The flavors of the mayo, pesto, and peppers combined is melt in your mouth goodness. Try them. You won't be dissapointed.

1 package of soft deli rolls
1 package good quality sliced turkey
2 cans whole green chilies or diced work too.
Mayonnaise
1 T. pesto
salt & pepper
1 granny smith apple sliced VERY thin
Sliced Swiss cheese or provolone

Mix a few tablespoons of mayo with the pesto. Add salt & pepper. You then spread a generous amount of this mayo mixture onto both sides of the deli roll. Put in the broiler for 30 seconds or until slightly golden brown (not too brown!). You then layer LOTS of turkey, apples, and green chilies on the roll. Top with a couple slices of cheese. Put the one side of the sandwich with the turkey on it into the broiler until cheese is melted and golden brown. Put the top of the deli roll back onto your sandwich (I actually made mine open faced to save on carbs-and it worked well). Eat this sandwich warm out of the oven.

Mommie's Corn Chowder

• 12 oz turkey bacon
• 5 Idaho potatoes, cubed
• 3-4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1Tbsp vegetable oil
• 4Tbsp flour
  
• 8C milk (I used whole to make the husband happy)
• 2 cans creamed corn
• 1 tsp salt (I seasoned with a bit more)
• Ground black pepper to taste

Cook the bacon (I cook mine on a skillet and I leave all the extra juice on the bacon for flavor) and cut up into bitty pieces. Boil the potatoes in a separate pot until tender. Saute the celery in the oil in a big soup pot until tender. Add 1T flour, reduce heat and cook until bubbly. Add 2 cups of milk to the celery and blend it together. Add 2 more cups off milk, 3T of flour and bacon, let simmer for a minute for good flavor. Add 2 cups of milk, bring to simmer. Add the remaining 2 cups of milk and bring to a simmer for at least 1 minute. Add corn, potatoes, bacon, salt and pepper. Let it all simmer for 1 more minute. It makes a ton. Cut it in half, freeze half or invite your friends over.

Not a recipe post

Since several of us seem to enjoy Pioneer Woman's recipes, I thought I would mention I just picked up her cookbook on Amazon yesterday (it was delivered TODAY!) for $10.50! I haven't tried any recipes from this cookbook specifically, but I have enjoyed the recipes off her site, so I feel like the cookbook is a pretty safe bet.