Meatball Sliders w/ Butternut Squash Fries

Today I just could not decide what I wanted to make for supper, sometimes you just get tired of doing your same hand full of ground beef recipes. I took a look in the freezer, and stumbled across some home made buns that Shelby and my Mother in Law whipped up a bit ago. Solved. Meatballs....Yum.....Buns....Yum....Together.....Delicious!

We have attempted squash fries a few times before...the new trick I found out is to bake them on wire racks on a cookie sheet, rather then just on a cookie sheet. You get an even crisp and then a soft squash fry in the middle. Dead simple to do.

I peeled and sliced the butternut squash into "fry" shapes. Toss with some canola oil and a good season with Sea Salt. Lay on wire rack and bake for 40 mins @ 350 F. I failed to turn them once, and I don't think it would have made a difference. They were evenly crisp on all sides. Re season with Salt and serve!

For the sliders, I mixed lean ground beef with Salt and pepper, a bit of garlic powder, dash of soya sauce, and 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs. Mix and form into whatever sauce Meatball you want. I cooked on med high heat turning 3 or 4 times for 15 mins. You can add whatever you want for sauce, I used sweet basil marinara, and fixed my bun in jalapeno ranch dressing. Before I added the meatball to the bun, I dug out the bottom a bit so the Meat would sit in nice. Baked off until buns were brown,

Enjoy

Cory

Beef Fajita Pizza

Pizza is a pretty common thing in our house. We usually do naan bread pizzas. They crisp up great and the boys love them. This time around I bought a huge loaf of focaccia bread from the Country bakery inside of Askews. Its the best 5 bucks I could spend!! it makes a perfect bread for some oil and balsamic, but even better as a pizza base.

I started by slicing this bread in half through the bread, so it gave me to long pizza bases.

I fried up some Top sirloin steak, red onions and yellow and red peppers. Once the steak was done to my likeness, I removed, let rest and then thinly sliced.

The peppers and onions I carmelized in a little butter and oil, salt and pepper.

Smother it in sauce!!!

Add your caramelized peppers and onions!

Then your yummy sirloin steak. This would also be great with chicken. And this is a heavy pizza!! That's why this focaccia bread is perfect for it, your crust is over an inch thick.

HUGE chunks of Feta, We buy our feta in a large 1kg container from superstore. Apetina brand, for 11.99. We use it in so many things. It has become our cheese of choice to have.

I made the boys a basic pepperoni and ham pizza, they love feta and cheese too.

Bake at 425f for 20 mins, or until brown on top.

A pizza fit for a king!

The flavors of the caramelized peppers and onions along with the steak and creamy feta made this dish!

Enjoy!!


Cory

Baked Beef Curry

We love a mild curry in our house. It is one of the boys favorite meals. We will do it with pork, chicken or beef.

This time around we used top sirloin and cut it into strips. So tender and delicious.

Start off with your meat. Whatever you use, season it well with Salt and Pepper, trim of large fat chunks. I cut these into thin strips. Fry on med high heat with some minced garlic and chopped onion.

After the meat is cooked, Add whatever vegetable you want. Most times we use broccoli or cauliflower. This time around, diced potato, shaved carrot and peas.

We use brown basmati, so tasty and filling. I used our rice cooker and made 4 cups. We had company over for this meal and still had lots left over.

I layered the rice in a big roaster.

For the curry sauce we do it 2 different ways. One with cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, one with a white sauce. This one is 2 cans of mushroom soup, 1 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of yellow curry powder. Combine with meat and vegetables, and pour over top of rice. Grate some cheddar cheese and place on top. Bake @ 350f for 30 mins.

Delicious!!! Enjoy!!!

Cost:
beef $5
rice $1
vegetables $1
Sauce $2

$9.00. Served 4 adults, 5 kids, 2 babys. Huge portions with lots left over!!

Cory

Smoked Salmon Pizzas w/ Guacamole Cream Cheese

Shelby and the boys eat tons of home made pizzas, its a quick lunch or supper!

We have been spoiled with canned smoked salmon from my Dad up in Haida Gwaii. Its quick and easy to open a jar and put on a pizza or make some melts!!!
If you are not spoiled like us...any meat will do.

We love buying Naan Bread. Most times we make pizza, we make it on Naan. Its not the cheapest option, but its quick and tasty!! Naan in superstore goes for about .50c a piece.

One thing I got into this last year a bit was Epicure. I know, for a dude it sounds weird, but for a dude who loves food and cooking, Epicure has tons of spice varieties and dip mixes. I know of two consultants, both great ladies, I use Kristy Wilkinson in Armstrong, and I know Renee Derksen in Enderby does it too!! (ladies...I expect an epicure gift for that advertising!! :)  

I used Epicures Guacamole dip mix, with some philly cream chease as the "sauce", topped it with some smoked pink salmon, chopped spinach and some medium cheddar cheese!! bake at 425f for 15 mins or until brown!.

Voila!