traditional northern irish pasty

When I was in Belfast I was addicted to these! Hot and yummy inside, light and flaky outside. To die for!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1/2 cup cold water
1 tsp corander 

1/2 tsp nutmeg

3 med sized potatoes, cooked, mashed and cooled

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 medium size onion (diced and sauteed)

Fish batter of your choice

Directions:

1) Mix all of the above Irish pasty ingredients in large bowl

2) Form the pasty into approx 3-inch diameter patties

3) Dip into your favourite fish batter and cover all over

4) Deep fry in hot oil and remove when a golden brown. Serve immediately. Best when served with chips (fries) 

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

mama's homemade meatballs - crock pot

I can never get enough of these! They're to die for!
Best paired with Mama's Spaghetti Sauce!

Ingredients:

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 lb ground veal OR sub ground turkey, chicken or inside of sausage. I prefer veal
1 - 2 eggs
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 - 2 tsp basil
OPTIONAL 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:

1) Add all ingredients together in a big bowl. Shape mixture into balls

2) Brown meatballs for 10 mins in a pan with a tiny bit of cooking oil (longer if they're bigger)

3) Drain, then add to sauce in crockpot. Cook over night for saucy, moist, soft and delicious meatballs!

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

mama's spaghetti sauce - crock pot

Seriously the best ever!
Try the sauce with Mama's Homemade Meatballs!

Ingredients:

4 - 8 cans of Hunts tomato sauce (depending on the size of the croc pot)
1 can tomato paste
1 whole onion OR 1 - 2 tsp of onion salt or powder)
     *Personally, I don't like onions cut up in my sauce, so I cut the onion in half and put both halves in the pot. When you're done cooking take them out
3 - 5 cloves of garlic OR 1 tsp of garlic salt or powder)
1/4 tsp salt
1 - 2 tsp oregano
1 - 2 tsp basil OR fresh basil leaves
1 - 2 tsp parsley
1 bay leaf
OPTIONAL dash of Frank's Red Hot Sauce to taste

Directions:

1) Cook on low overnight for best results.

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

creamy cheesy bacon penne

With a name like that, how can you go wrong?

* makes: 4 - 6 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked penne

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp all purpose flour

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 cups 2% milk

3 cups shredded cheddar, divided (2 cups and 1 cup)

1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon

Directions:

1) Cook pasta according to directions on package. meanwhile, saute garlic in butter. Stir in pepper. Gradually add milk

2) Bring mixture to a boil. Cook and stir 1 - 2 min or until thickened. Reduce heat and stir in 2 cups cheese. Stir until melted, then remove from heat

3) Drain pasta and add 1/3 cup of bacon to cheese sauce. Transfer to baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 mins. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese and bacon.

4) Bake 5 - 10 mins longer or until all cheese is melted

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

table for 2 lasagna

This quick and easy recipe will be sure to spice up a romantic dinner for two ;)

 * prep: 20 mins

    total: 55 mins

    makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley OR 1 tbsp parsley flakes

6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

1 jar (14 oz) spaghetti sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x5" loaf pan with cooking spray. Mix together ricotta, egg, parmesan and parsley

2) Trim the noodles to fit loaf pan; reserve trimmings. Place 2 of the noodles in bottom of prepared pan, cover with a layer of 1/4 spaghetti sauce, 1/4 ricotta and 1/4 cup mozzarella. Repeat all layers 2 or more times. Top with layers of reserved noodle trimmings, remaining sauce, ricotta mixture and mozzarella

3) Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 5 mins before cutting into slices to serve

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

low fat quick and easy chili

This recipe is great when you're looking for something hearty and you're in a hurry!

* prep: 5 minutes
   total time: 20 minutes
   makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 lb extra lean ground beef
1 tsp chili powder
1 can (15 oz) no salt added kidney beans, drained
1 can (14.5 oz) fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
1 cup thick and chunky salsa
1/2 cup 2% milk shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup reduced fat or light sour cream

Directions:

1) Brown meat with chili powder in large skillet on med - high heat

2) Stir in beans, tomatoes and salsa. Bring to boil. Cover; simmer on med - high heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally

3) Serve topped with cheese and sour cream

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky



sloppy joe mac 'n cheese

Another favourite comfort food of mine. Being a college kid, I live off of Kraft Dinner, but it tends to get boring if you eat it the same way all the time. This is a little variation I've stumbled upon and tailored a bit to make it suit my tastes better.

Ingredients:


1 package of ground beef
1 package of Kraft Dinner
2 cups of water
1/2 cup Kraft Original BBQ sauce (or whatever brand you prefer)
1 cup tomato sauce (I substitute ketchup when I don't have any)
optional 2 cups shredded lettuce
optional 2 chopped tomatoes
optional hot sauce to taste
optional sour cream to taste


Directions:


1) Brown the meat in a large skillet on med - high heat then drain


2) Add macaroni, water and BBQ sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med. Cover, simmer 8 minutes, stirring occasionally


3) Stir in cheese packet and tomato sauce. Cook until it's heated through. Sprinkle with lettuce, tomatoes, hot sauce and sour cream on top to taste. Serve immediately

OR

1) Repeat step one as above


2) Prepare Kraft Dinner as directed on the package


3) Stir in the remaining ingredients, cooking until it's heated through. Sprinkle with lettuce, tomatoes, hot sauce and sour cream on top to taste. Serve immediately.

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky