Thursday, February 28, 2008

Chunky Red Pasta Sauce


RED PASTA

1 pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
20 baby carrots, or two carrots sliced
2 cans tomatoes, petite diced (my friend used whole tomatoes I think, but I like the smaller chunks in petite diced)
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste*
water, to consistency
3 cubes chicken bouillon (my friend used vegetable bouillon, I just don't have that here)
basil, to taste (I use about 1 Tbsp. or so, just smell the sauce to determine if there's enough: you don't want it to taste like peppers and tomatoes, and you don't want it to burn your nose with basil)
salt and pepper, to taste
pasta, cooked (I prefer penne or linguini, which is what we had)

In a large pot, combine butter and olive oil until butter is melted. Add pork cubes and stir to brown. When pork is lightly golden brown on one or two sides, add garlic and onion. Sauté for about one minute. Add remaining ingredients, except pasta. (*Only add about 2/3 of the can of tomato paste. Less if you want chunkier sauce, more if you want creamier sauce.) Let simmer for at least 2 hours, the longer it simmers the better is tastes (especially the carrots). (This smells heavenly!) Serve over pasta; sprinkle with parmesan.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Three-Cheese & Macaroni

When I brought this over from my old blog I couldn't find the picture on my computer for it. I guess I'll have to make it again and take another picture! In the mean time, just imagine what it looks like!

THREE-CHEESE & MACARONI

1-1/2 cups uncooked macaroni
2 hot dogs, sliced; optional (see above comments)
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt (like, Lawry's)
1 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 to 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 pkg. Ritz crackers, crushed
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Cook macaroni as directed on package. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in saucepan; add flour, seasoning salt, chicken bouillon granules, garlic powder, and pepper. Whisk together until bubbly. Pour in milk; whisk until combined and beginning to thicken. Add cheese. Stir until cheese in melted, then add hot dogs. Simmer for about one to two minutes. Add macaroni to saucepan and stir until evenly coated. Pour into 9x13 pan. Add cracker crumbs to melted butter, stir until crackers are moist. Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese atop macaroni; sprinkle cracker crumbs atop cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly. (I was in a time crunch and baked it for 15 minutes at 375 degrees and it still was super yummy.)