Night 58

Recipe 259
Barbeque Burger Deluxe
Matt rating *****

Ingredients used:

Ground beef
Garlic cloves
Red onion
Liquid smoke
Worcestershire sauce
Hot sauce
Tomato paste
Brown sugar
Grill seasoning
EVOO
Cheddar cheese
Hamburger buns
Lettuce
Tomatoes

We grilled burgers and brats for a small family get together for Judah's first birthday. I looked through my cookbook for a simple burger recipe and this one was the winner. I had pretty much every ingredient listed already stocked in my fridge and pantry. Everyone loved the burgers and they were much more filling than I thought they would be! I had to stretch the meat out a little bit and thought the burgers looked a little puny, but once you add on the toppings and the bun, it is a nice sized burger! HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO OUR MIRACLE BABY FROM THE LORD!!!

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Mandy

Night 57

Recipe 358
Fresh Tomato and Basil Chicken over Super Creamy Polenta
Matt rating ****

Ingredients used:

Chicken stock
EVOO
Chicken breast halves
S&P
Red pepper flakes
Red onion
Garlic cloves
Polenta
Mascarpone cheese
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Grape tomatoes
Basil leaves

WOW!!! This is one of my favorite meals...definitely a comfort meal for a cold night! The pan sauce was so easy with the chicken stock and tomatoes, and the polenta was very rich and creamy. I ate way more than I should have, but thankfully my sister is here and cleaned up all the dishes so I can just relax with the top button of my pants undone (sorry, TMI, but you know you all do it!).

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Mandy

Night 56

Recipe 355
Spinach and Spicy Ham Pasta Bake
Matt rating *****

Ingredients used:

Coarse salt
Cavatappi pasta
EVOO
Unsalted butter
Onion
Coarse black pepper
Flour
Milk
Capocollo (I used a spicy sausage instead)
Chopped spinach
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Freshly grated nutmeg
Cayenne pepper
Fresh mozzarella
Italian-style bread crumbs

Wow...this calls for four servings, but I fed six hearty appetites with food left over! Everybody raved about it and ate all the leftovers today, so I would call it a very successful meal. Good stuff, maynard!

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Mandy

Night 55

Recipe 365
Hamburger and Onion Stuffed Bread
My rating ****

Ingredients used:

Baguette
EVOO
Ground beef
S&P
Yellow onion
Worcestershire sauce
Spicy brown mustard
Gouda cheese
Chives

This was super easy to make while waiting for my sister and her boys to get here from Montana. Matt was at work so didn't get a chance to sample it, and I forgot to take a pic. It turned out pretty tasty!

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Mandy

Night 54

Recipe 350
Crispy Horseradish-Battered Fried Fish with Watercress-Cucumber Tartar Sauce
Matt rating ****

Ingredients used:

Vegetable oil
Complete pancake mix
Prepared horseradish
Cod
S&P
Mayo
Sweet pickle relish
Half-sour pickle
Onions
Dill
Lemon
Watercress
English cucumber
Hot pepper sauce

Matt continues to surprise me when I make a meal that contains ingredients on his "dislike" list. Fish of any sort is definitely on that list! He ate his entire portion and gave it a good rating. I unfortunately, made this meal when I thought I was getting over being sick but about half way through it had to put it down. Fish while sick is not a good idea, but I had to make it before it went bad! At least Matt enjoyed it and it didn't go to waste!

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Mandy

Night 53

Recipe 94
Sliced Grilled Steak on Blue Cheese Biscuits with Watercress, Sour Cream, and Sliced Tomatoes
Matt rating *****

Ingredients used:

Garlic
Grill seasoning
Worcestershire sauce
S&P
EVOO
Flank steak
Buttermilk biscuit mix
Blue cheese crumbles
Tomato
Watercress
Sour cream

Once again, my brother insisted on steak for dinner. So again, I fancied it up for him and made it into a biscuit. I must say that the star of this meal was the blue cheese biscuit. They were so delicious and were a great accompaniment to the steak. A nice tang to go along with the steak.

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Mandy

Night 52

Recipe 119
Boneless Rib-Eye Steaks with Killa' Chimichurri and Mushrooms with Smoky Chipotle and Wilted Spinach
Matt rating *****

Ingredients used:

Rib-eye steaks
EVOO
Grill seasoning
Fresh oregano
Fresh sage
Fresh thyme
Flat-leaf parsley
Garlic
Red onion
Lemon
Spinach leaves
Chipotle in adobo
Shiitake and cremini mushrooms
S&P
Crusty bread
Worcestershire sauce

There seems to be a trend here...anytime I make steak, Matt gives it the highest rating possible. I have to admit that these steaks and the mushroom/spinach side were amazing! My brother was staying with us and insisted on steak (which he bought) so I decided to fancy it up for him. He loved it and the spicy side dish!

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