Apple bread pudding

Always always a hit!

Bread pudding can be eaten for any occasion and there are so many variations that I make it often.  Dessert, breakfast and just for a snack this lovely dish is always a family favorite.  Here's another one of my easy recipes.

3 small Granny Smith apples  peeled and sliced thin
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon( you can add more if desired)
1 quart  milk
3 eggs beaten and folded into milk 
4 tsp. Butter
3 cups bread( broken in pieces) Any type bread but I like to use Italian Bread

Generously Butter 13 x 9 inch baking dish.  Set aside

In a medium bowl place eggs, sugar, vanilla  and milk.  Whisk well.

In another bowl place broken bread pieces and apples. Add beaten egg mixture and stir until all bread is wet and egg mixture is incorporated into bread..

Carefully pour mixture into buttered baking dish.

Pat  with butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon.

Bake 350 degrees uncovered approximately 40 to 50 minutes or until center is set. (Insert a knife through middle) it should be set but slightly moist.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve warm.  Refrigerate leftovers.

I make variations of this recipe but basically vanilla, 3 eggs beaten and whisked with 1 quart milk, 1/2 cup sugar. 3 cups bread ( I use whatever I have).  Today it was 1/2 loaf Italian. 1 tsp. Cinnamon, 4  pats of butter. Fold in 3 skin removed sliced Granny Smith apples.  Bake in buttered casserole 350 degrees about 40 or 45 minutes or until set in center.  

Happy Baking!

Crockpot saucy steak

 Crockpot version of my Baked Steak Recipe

Updated Photo: 4/10/23

One has added sprinkle of grated Romano cheese.  The other doesn’t.  Your choice!

I love changing things up a bit and why not try making things a little more convenient. Right?

I have had so many positive responses to my Baked steak recipe that I thought I'd give it a try in my NEW Crockpot.  Yes I bought a new one.  I do have another but it is almost 8 years old and I use it a lot so I wanted to make sure I would be set if it suddenly decided to kick the bucket and died. LOL

I have become a crockpot lover!!!  Busy people need an alternative to oven baking and I'm here to help in any way I can. Honestly a lot of basic recipes are crockpot friendly.  

Enjoy!

10/28/15

Baked version

I also make this in my oven.  Bake at 350 degrees covered for approximately 1 1/2 hours.

1 1/2 lb boneless round steak (mine was tenderized but it doesn't have to be)

1 onion sliced
4 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper

Sauce :

1 can tomato paste

2 cans 15 oz. tomato sauce
1 cup water

2 to 4 cloves minced garlic( depending of your taste)

1 teaspoon onion powder 

3/4 tsp dried basil

In a medium size skillet place olive oil. Add sliced onion, steak, salt and pepper. Brown meat on all sides.

In your crockpot place 1 small can tomato paste and 2 cans tomato sauce.  Place a little water in cans to gather all that is left in the cans.  Add to sauce 1 cup water .  Place browned meat/onions to crockpot and add 2 to 4 cloves minced garlic.  Cook on low approximately 6 to 7 hours.

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

 

Pasta with spinach and bacon

8 oz. cooked bacon
2 cloves minced garlic
12 oz. spinach
1-14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
I lb. penne pasta
2 T Olive oil

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta, and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place bacon in the skillet, and cook until browned and crisp. Add garlic, and cook for about 1 minute. Add spinach and sauté a few minutes.   Stir in the tomatoes, and cook until heated through.

Toss with drained pasta and serve with a little Parmesan cheese.

Brown Butter Cavatelli with toasted garlic and asparagus!

I’ve been checking my recipes that I made before so I’m sharing the best ones again...so good and tasty.



Here's another weeknight dinner courtesy of Woman's Day!  Love that magazine!! Great Summer recipe!

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

5/17/13

1 lb. cavatelli (frozen section of grocery store)
1 lemon
3 T unsalted butter
8 oz. thin asparagus, thinly sliced on a diagonal
2 cloves minced garlic
Kosher salt and pepper
2 T fresh tarragon, chopped (I didn't add it)
Grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Cook cavatelli according to directions. Drain
Using a vegetable peeler remove 2 strips of lemon and thinly slice
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the asparagus and garlic, season with a bit of salt and pepper, cook tossing occasionally, until beginning to soften, 2 or 3 minutes.  Increase heat to medium high, add lemon zest and cooking, tossing until butter turns golden brown, about 2 minutes.

Toss asparagus mixture with the cavatelli and tarragon.  Serve with grated cheese.

Note:  Pecorino Romano cheese has the best flavor.  Don't skimp on quality cheese. It makes the dish..

Happy cooking from my kitchen to yours,

M. j.

Steak with smothered onions

It’s not a quick meal but a crockpot meal.  When you want a meal that everyone can enjoy with basic ingredients and perfect results this one’s on the top of the list.  Easily doubled for a family you can be assured when you come home from work or out for a few hours this will be a welcomed  meal.

It’s a two part recipe.  Meat first, gravy made after meat is cooked.

This meal can be served right from your crockpot or you can thicken the juice to make the gravy.


To make thickened gravy :

Remove meat from pot.  Set aside


2 to 3 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup beef broth
Whisk together to make thin paste
Add to remainder of broth whisking thoroughly
Add meat and allow to thicken slightly.

Makes about 1 cup gravy

It will thicken faster if you make the gravy on the stove top.

Serve with potato and vegetable.  Enjoy!




Approximately 1lb.  Round steak
Olive or vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
1 large onion sliced
11/2 cups beef broth

Sear round steak in oil with salt and pepper.

Place in crockpot with sliced onion on top.

Cover, cook low 6 hours or high 4 hours.


Serve with mashed potatoes, side salad or vegetable.

Enjoy!