Ryan’s Bolognese

I have collected a couple bolognese recipes over the past couple years but never made one. This recipe from the Pioneer Woman's blog looked simple and it really was. It also tasted great. Next time I make it I will add red pepper flakes. I like my Italian food a little spicy. I halved the recipe and I was able to freeze what we didn't eat for another night. So the recipe below would probably feed at least 8 people. This is a Pastor Ryan recipe and I think he knows my husband because all of his recipes Mike loves.

Source: Pioneer Woman

1 1/2 cups grated carrots
1 large red onion, diced
1/2 cup olive oil
2 pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons oregano flakes
2 tablespoons dried basil flakes
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2 cups red wine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire
salt
pepper
2 28-ounce cans whole tomatoes
1 cup milk
Fresh Parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add grated carrots and onions and cook for a few minutes.
Make a well in the center of the mixture, then add in the ground beef. Cook for a few minutes until brown, gradually stirring it into the carrot mixture.
Throw in oregano and basil. Use fresh if you have it; if you don’t, it’s fine.
When the meat is browned and combined with other ingredients, make another well. Add tomato paste and let it heat.
Add garlic and stir to combine.
Make a well in the center of the mixture and add red wine. Stir together.
Add Worcestershire and stir.
Add canned tomatoes.
Finally, pour in milk, stir, and let simmer for 30 minutes to 2 hours—however long you need.

Serve with pasta and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Olive Oil Muffins

I saw Giada make these once and thought they sounded different. I tried them this weekend and they are good but I don't think they are something I would make again. Mike did not like. They are definitely different. Savory and sweet at the same time.


Source: Giada De Laurentiss

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons orange zest
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons whole milk
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Powdered sugar, for sifting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place paper liners in a 12-cup muffin tin. Blend together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer beat the sugar, eggs, and zests in a large bowl until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vinegar and milk. Gradually beat in the oil. Add the flour mixture and stir just until blended. Crush the almonds with your hands as you add them to the batter and stir until mixed. Fill the muffin tin almost to the top of the paper liners. Bake until golden on top and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Remove the muffins onto a platter and let cool for 5 more minutes. Sift powdered sugar over the muffins and serve.

Summer Shrimp Rolls

It has been hot here lately. Typically when it gets hot here it does cool back down till October. I have been looking for simple meals that don't require an oven so to not heat up the house anymore than it already is. I found this recipe in the June/July issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray. It is the first recipe I have made from the magazine even though I have had a subscription for over a year. It was very light and refreshing.


Source: Everyday with Rachel Ray

1 1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pound large shrimp-peeled, deveined and chopped
3/4 cups fresh corn kernels (I used canned because it is what I had)
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup pesto
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 scallions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper
4 hot dog buns (I used french rolls)

In medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring until opaque about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the corn and let cool.
In a medium bowl, stir together the mayo, pesto and lemon juice. Add the shrimp-corn mixture, bell pepper and scallions; toss. Season will salt and pepper. Serve in the hot dog buns.