Souzoukaki Kebab

I know a certain someone who was really anxious for me to post this, so here you go:)

This recipe was discovered by my mother while we were visiting them in Germany. It was published in the local paper in conjunction with an article about a restaurant that supported my favorite soccer club. I have never needed that many onions for a recipe. It is split up in two parts, the meat and the sauce. Other than the prep, meaning the dicing of the onions, the recipe is pretty simple and easy and it is delicious as well. The meat is seasoned with fresh mint, which is just wonderful, so make sure you try it too.

For 4 servings you need the following:

2lbs. Ground meat (the recipe actually calls for mixed pork and beef)
3 ½ Tbsp. Olive Oil
4 Onions, diced
6-8 Mint leaves, chopped
1 bunch Parsley, chopped
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

For the sauce:
7 Tomatoes, cut into small pieces
1 Big Onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
6 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Oregano
Salt
Pepper

So, we start chopping the onions for the meat, cop chop:

And since we're in a choppy mood we might as well take care of the onion for the tomato sauce as well:
Don't they look yummy?

Ok, back to the meat. Add the chopped parsley and mint leaves as well as the oil, salt and pepper, mix thoroughly and form meat balls, about 4 per person.

For the sauce cut the tomatoes into small pieces and sauté with the finely chopped onion in a large pan in some olive oil. Add the tomato paste and the rest of the olive oil. Add oregano, salt and pepper to taste. For some reason I didn't take pictures of that part, so just trust me on that:)

Next, spread the sauce on a baking sheet and arrange the meatballs on top of the sauce. Bake at 350 for about 35-40 minutes.

That picture didn't turn out too good, but I just had to share it:

Serve over rice and with some wine and you will be happy for at least the rest of the meal.

Enjoy!

My non-dairy version of Ryan’s Bolognese Sauce

When I first read this recipe, I just had t try it. I love pasta and more than that I love meaty tomato sauces on my pasta. The only think I changed was to substitute soy milk for the milk, so that my son could eat it. Of course, I made up for it by putting a little bit of extra parmesan on mine:)

Of course, the Pioneer Woman's pictures are a lot better than mine, but here it goes.

Grate the carrots and dice the red onion:

Get out your olive oil, tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic and beef:
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven:
Saute the carrots and onions:
Mince the garlic:
Yes, I followed the recipe as best as I could…
Time for the beef:
Time to get the spices ready:



Another well for the tomato paste:
In goes the garlic:
You can never go wrong with a little wine:
I loved that the recipe calls for Worcestershire Sauce:
Whole Tomatoes:
And now the (soy)milk:
I served it with spaghetti and lots of cheese for me:

I really do love this recipe and whenever I feel like a meaty pasta sauce, this is the one I make. Everybody at our house just loves it.

Enjoy!

My new favorite Tomato Sauce

This is another great recipe from my favorite cookbook. it's the simple red sauce, and simple it is!
At first I was a little scared, as the recipe calls for fresh tomatoes, meaning you have to blanch and peel them, but it's not as hard as I thought.

Wash the tomtatoes:

Chop garlic and add it to olive oil in large pot. Don't heat until tomtatoes are done:
Add the tomtatoes to a pot of boiling water and boil for about 1 minute and a half. Note, that it will take a while for the water to boil again. Once the tomtato skins start spliting open, they're done:
Let them cool some:
Peel them and cut them into smaller pieces:
Sautee the garlic and add the tomatoes. The recipe calls for a few other ingredients, like sugar, which you add at this time too:
At the end add chopped basil and that's it:
Serve with spaghetti:
And don't forget the parmesan (only if you can eat dairy):
Our little one enjoyed each bite, without the cheese:
I have made this sauce several time since then. I love it. It's so yummy in the warmer months and pureed it was great to use for my meat loaf.

Did I say that I love this recipe?

The Pioneer Woman - Rigatoni and Beefy Tomato Sauce

When I saw this recipe, I know my hubby and Wonderboy would love it, so I decided this had to be on the menu right away.
below are the ingredients:
Chop up the onion and garlic:
Heat olive oil in the pan:
And add the onion and garlic...I love that smell!
Add the ground beef and brown it:

Add the tomatoes:
Cover and simmer for 30 minutes:
Remove the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes:
Serve it with the pasta, Rigatoni in this case, and some freshly grated parmesan:
Very, very good.
Note, without the parmesan this is a non-dairy dish.

Cybele Pascal - Chicken Cacciatore

So, I made my yummy tomato sauce and continued through my new cookbook to make Chicken Cacciatore.
Below are the ingredients:

The chicken pieces:
And the finished meal:
Serve it over pasta:
And let your little one enjoy it too:
As well as the big ones:
I loved this dish. I loved that my little boy can eat it without having to pick things out. I just love it.