Homemade Ready

A simple combination of ground meat, tomato sauce or ketchup, and some seasonings, this sandwich is a classic that may just remind you of childhood (and for good reason - it seems like almost all kids love it). The Sloppy Joe’s sandwich is also perfect for back-to-school season because it is just so quick and easy to prepare after a long day at work or school, and is also so warm and cozy for the cooler weather. Now, you could buy a jar of premade sauce, but why spend the extra cash when it's so easy to make this from items you already have in your pantry or fridge? It’s a forgiving recipe, too. I prefer a mix of ketchup and plain tomato sauce, but you can easily use all of one or the other, depending on what you have on-hand. Recipe 4-6 Servings Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil 1 ¼ pound lean ground beef or turkey 1 small onion, diced ¼ cup finely diced green bell pepper ¾ cup tomato sauce ¾ cup ketchup ¼ cup water 3 tablespoons...

I always prepare a big, traditional Thanksgiving dinner every year, complete with all of the trimmings. As much as my family loves all of the usual fare, sometimes we enjoy a little freshness at our holiday table. These mashed sweet potatoes are a nice alternative to the typical super-sweet, marshmallow-laden casserole. They are just a little sweet, and a little spicy with just a hint of fresh lime. (I may even say they are a little bit...healthy.) Healthy or not, they are delicious and go great with a Thanksgiving turkey, or a Christmas ham (but are perfect for a an everyday lunch or dinner, too)! Recipe 6-8 Servings Ingredients: 4 large sweet potatoes 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon hot chili flakes  2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 lime, juice and zest Directions: Prepare sweet potatoes by roasting in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, u...

Earlier this week, on our first chilly fall afternoon of the season, I whipped-up this easy beef and macaroni skillet supper.  Not for the first time, I appreciated that this dish is almost magical, with the ability to transport me back to my childhood, and a far simpler time. Back then, we called it goulash (I know, it’s not authentic goulash), or on the days  it was served in our school cafeteria, we called it beef-a-roni. I loved this meal as a kid, but now as an adult, I still love this little one-pan recipe - it is so darn simple to prepare, but still just so comforting and delicious. OK, maybe this dish seems a little old-fashioned, but it can’t be beat on a crisp fall day, when you want to get a hot, comforting meal on the table fast.   Let’s talk about dollars here, too - this recipe is not only simple, but totally easy on the wallet, too. Ground beef, noodles, canned tomatoes, a few vegetables and some spices – what could be simpler? When you look ...

It's almost hard to believe it when Labor Day rolls around every year - the summer always seems to be over just a little too soon. I’ve been thinking all week about recipes to celebrate the end of this summer season. Grilling outdoors is always a good option for celebrating Labor Day - we may be having nice weather now, but we never know just how many chances we’ll have for grilling before the weather turns cold and wintry. For those hardy souls living in the cold climates, this could be the last hurrah for the year, and it could be quite a few months before heading outdoors for a cookout again. In our house, we’ve had our fill of burgers and potato salad for now, so I decided on grilling some chicken. With the impending chilly months fast approaching, my mind (and my belly) immediately went to something with a warm and spicy Caribbean flavor: jerk chicken, a dish that I quickly grew to love during my years living in South Florida. Jerk is hot and spicy, and just a little e...

These meatballs are pure comfort food, but with a lightened-up flavor for spring. Made with ground turkey, then browned in a skillet, and smothered with a creamy mushroom and dill gravy. I used low-fat milk in the gravy, but you can make it more decadent by using whole milk or even adding some cream. I recommend using beef or vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, to give the sauce a rich, brown color. In our house, we like these meatballs served with some egg noodles or boiled baby red potatoes.  {Scroll for recipe} Recipe Serves 4 Ingredients: For the Meatballs 2 slices bread (sandwich-size) 1/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons minced or grated onion 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 ½ teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill) 1 pound ground turkey 3 tablespoons oil (any oil suitable for high heat, like vegetable or coconut) For t...