recipes we love (lately)

oh, you will not be disappointed.

sweet n sour meatballs

To make the meatballs, you’ll need:

1 lb. ground beef
1 egg
1 TBSP cornstarch
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. chopped onion (I prefer red onion but it doesn’t really matter)
dash of pepper

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together with your hand. It will be somewhat sticky. Form into balls and brown in a small amount of oil.

Drain all but 1 TBSP oil. Pour the meatballs and 1 TBSP oil in a dish and set aside.

For sauce:

1 can pineapple tidbits (tidbits AND juice)
3 TBSP cornstarch
1 TBSP soy sauce
3 TBSP vinegar
6 TBSP water
1/2 cup sugar

In your frying pan, mix the above ingredients until it thickens. I usually mix the water and cornstarch seperately and then put it in the frying pan so it doesn’t make dumplings! Put meatballs back in sauce and heat through. Serve over rice and thoroughly enjoy!

we had these with rice and yummy frozen green beans (the petite long ones) fried in oil, butter, and garlic. mmmm!

got it at www.sugardoodle.net/melsrecipes/

tomato and basil pasta

1/2 lb. whole grain angel hair pasta (I like Barilla)

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoons minced fresh garlic

1 tablespoon dried or 1/2 chopped cup fresh basil

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus more for passing)

Bring large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until dente. Drain pasta in colander and let it rest there for now. To the same cooking pot, add butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add dried basil (add fresh basil at the end), crushed red pepper flakes, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes with juices. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. (Add fresh basil now if using.) Add pasta back to pot and toss to coat. Stir in parmesan. Pass more parmesan at the table.

I used spaghetti instead of angelhair (just don't like the texture) and dried basil instead of fresh (just couldn't find it at the store). I made a good salad and homemade garlic bread. it's a keeper. it also makes a TON. we still have leftovers after eating it for lunch the next day.:)

got it at prudencepennywise.blogspot.com