50 Uses for a Jar of Spaghetti Sauce

There was an insert in my Food Network Magazine that lists 50 things you can make with a jar of spaghetti sauce. (I make my own spaghetti sauce (a staple in our house) so we thought this had some really good ideas...and we have even tried one of them..and it was AWESOME!

I have the recipes is you are interested in any of them...

1. Spanish Rice

2.  Potato Casserole

3. Baked Brie

4. Mussels Marinara

5. Zesty Chip Dip

6. Quick Rataouille

7. Cocktail Sauce

8. Minestrone Soup

9. Tomato Butter

10. Olive Tapenade

11. African Stew

12. Cream of Tomato Soup (This is the one we tried...Saute' chopped herbs in butter (I didn't do this step, as my sauce has lots of seasoning)...add 1 jar of pasta sace, 2 cups of water and 1/2 c. heavy cream. simmer for 5 minutes.  (I just added milk to the sauce and it made a yummo version of tomato Soup!)

13. Stuffed Mushrooms

14. Buffalo Wings

15. Clam Chowder

16. Tomato Croutons

17. BBQ Brisket

18. Eggs in Purgatory

19. Tuna Marinara

20. Stewed BLT

21. Pizza Potato (make a baked potato and add sauce, pepperoni, and mozzerella bake till cheese melts)

22. Italian Meatloaf

23. Baked Beans

24. Tomato Mac and Cheese

25. Instant Salsa

26. Sweet and Sour Franks

27. Vodka Penne

28. Saucy Marinade

29. Tomato Biscuits

30. Country Captain

31. Taleggio Panini

32. Poor Man's Parmigiana

33. Tomato Polenta

34. Italian Quesadilla

35. Cilaquiles

36. Creole Stew

37. Poached Cod

38. Enchilada Sauce

39. Pizza Sticks

40. Greek Beans

41. Tomato Omelet

42. Bloody Mary

43. Spiced Okra

44. Polenta Bites

45. Tomato-Fennel Soup

46. Chickpea Pasta

47. Red Pepper Coulis

48. Sloppy Joes

49. Tomato Vinaigrette

50. Eggplant Rolls

Cleaning Freezer Out

Well, after the making 30 doz. Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas presents and having them shoved in the freezer, I was feeling like I couldn't find anything and that I had no food left in the freezer, so we cleaned out the freezer last night and to my surprise had over 25 meals left!  Dave kept saying, "don't ever tell me we don't have anything to eat again".. :-)  We were pleasantly surprised at how much was left and that there were even a few favorites left in there! :-)

Tina

February Menu

I have chosen my meals for February, but Tami hasn't picked her meals yet.  (On a side note, keep Tami in your prayers, she goes to Cleveland Clinic on Monday for hip surgery).  

Salisbury Patties

Round Steak Bake

Creamy Garlic Pasta

Chicken Picatta

Update on January Meals

I just thought I would update you on the meals we have tried so far this month (as they were all new meals we hadn't had before).  We have tried the Pasta with Alfredo Sauce (YUMMO!) and Mom's Chicken Noodle Casserole (YUMMO!) and Ham and Scalloped Potatoes (EXTRA YUMMO!) and Giant Calzone (YUMMO!).  So far, everything has been a hit!

Can't wait to try the next few!

White Sauce

Here is a recipe for a white sauce that replaces the cream of soup cans that are loaded with salt and an easy way to make. You can use this for a variety of things, (fettucini alfredo, scalloped potatoes, chicken tettrazini, chicken noodle casserole, and many many more).

3/4 c. butter

3/4 c. flour

6 c. milk (warmed) (I put in microwave for 2 minutes)

6 cubes bouillon

Over low heat melt butter and then add flour and stir till smooth.  Add warm milk and stir till thick (takes about 30 minutes, be careful not to scorch).  Add bouillon and stir till dissolved.

1 1/2 c. is equal to 1 can of soup.

You can make this a low fat version by using skim milk. 

It is not recommended to freeze this but you can refrigerate for a few days.  You can freeze if it is combined with other foods, it will be fine.

January Swap

I know I am a little behind on posting what we did, but it has been a little crazy around here for the holidays and this has taken a back seat. :-) We did not swap in December as it was just too hectic. We are swapping in January although not till closer to the end of the month.
I made homemade cinnamon rolls for friends and family for Christmas (we made 30 dozen in one day) with frosting. I have also been making homemade pizzas and bread. We have not ordered out for pizza for over 2 months now nor bought bread in over a month! Homemade bread is soo much better and the kids love it. I can't make it fast enough. :-) Although, kids are learning how to make it too, so that helps. I make a mix for the dry ingredients and they are packaged, and so all they have to do is dump in the bread maker with the wet ingredients and yeast. I put it on the dough setting and then bake it in the oven instead of in the breadmaker. That is how I make the pizza dough too. One batch of pizza dough makes 2-3 10" pizzas or 6-8 individual pizzas. I also made several cheesecakes and french silk pies and homemade kit kat bars (YUMMY...kids new favorite treat) for the holidays. The french silk pies we took to Christmas dinner with Mom and Dad, and then had one for New Year's Eve and still have 2 more in freezer left. Good for several months in freezer so as we get a chocolate craving, or have company over or need to take dessert somewhere, we have one!


January's menu is:

Cheeseburger Quiche
Calzones
Ham and Potato Casserole
Mom's Chicken Noodle Casserole

Simple Beef Stew
Hamburger Casserole
Pasta with Light Alfredo Sauce
Meatloaf with Mozzerella, Mushroom, and Pepperoni