Marinara Meatball Sliders and Making Blankets

It's been girls week as husband is out of town with some buddies.  It's also been an exhausting week with volleyball practice up in full swing (no pun intended), school back in session full time and work is beyond out of control and busy.  Dogs are missing my husband and they think they are my guardian protectors, following me everywhere throughout the house.

One of the gifts I gave the girls for their birthday were new volleyball blankets. You see, even 15 year olds need their special blankies.  Almost every girl and team I see at the volleyball tournaments have their "No Sew Fleece Blankets".  So, it was time for their new 2014 Winter/Spring Collection version that I was to make.

 Well, time got away in preparation for their birthday, so I was only able to get the fabrics and not get them tied and made in time.  This week was a great opportunity to have some down time at night and get them done. Not to mention that their first tournament of the season was less than 24 hours away, so the pressure was on.

Our girls first made these a few years ago at their Girl Scout Troop sleepover - so cute and easy for kids to make. I cannot sew, at best, I can put a button on in an emergency time of need. My mom and grandma are the "Singer Sisters" and can make anything on a sewing machine or by hand.  That being said, I am a HUGE fan of these blankets.  I love making them for kids and adults.  They are cozy, last forever and I really like how I can customize them to any size, color and style that I want.

I was also trying to keep this week's dinners easy, light and use up some leftovers from the weekend.  I confess, I did cave one night and we treated ourselves to dinner with no dishes.  Admit it, sometimes moms need a night out with Red Robin  unlimited french fries, a salad and nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.  It makes for happy kids and mom!!

I did get creative another night with the leftover meatballs from girls' pasta bar birthday party.  Marinara Meatball Sliders - delish.

Marinara Meatball Sliders
Inspired by Pioneer Woman's Mini Meatball Sandwiches

• 1 pound Ground Chuck Or Ground Beef
• 1/2 cup Panko Or Other Bread Crumbs
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 1 jar (large) Marinara Sauce
• 12 whole Dinner Rolls (or Slider Rolls)
• 4 slices Provolone Cheese, Cut Into Four Wedges Each

Preparation Instructions

Mix meat with bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and milk. Knead together with hands. Roll into heaping tablespoon-sized rolls.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for one minute. Add meatballs between the onions and brown for one minute. (You might have to do this in two batches, depending on the size of your skillet.)
Pour in jar of marinara; shake pan gently to mix. Put on lid and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
When ready to serve, cut each dinner roll in half. Place a wedge of Provolone on the top and bottom of each roll. Spoon a meatball with the sauce onto the bottom bun; top with the top bun.

** Fork and Cork Note:  I substitued the Provolone Cheese with freshly shaved Parmesean Cheese.  I also cut the slider rolls in half and toasted them lightly on a grill pan before spooning on the meatballs.

Birthday Party - Chapter 2 - Pasta Bar and Garlic Knots

...and the birthday party continues....

My sister-in-law always tells me that when she dies, she wants to come back as one of my kids.  The party never stops and they are quite pampered....Guilty as charged!  I think I get more enjoyment out of spoiling than they do receiving....

After our eventful afternoon of appetizers, painting pottery and cupcakes I had to prepare for dinner and a sleepover of 8 teenagers.  It's no wonder my husband asked if he could check into the Holiday Inn that night - I told him only if I can escape and come with him.

The girls were great and it was a successful night.  I did a pasta bar set up for all of them.  3 different sauces:  Alfredo, Pesto and Marinara....Penne Pasta and sides of meatballs and grilled chicken.

To mop up all the sauces I made our addicting Garlic Knots, which is really aren't knots, but more like an Italian Monkey Bread.  This recipe ended up on someones Facebook page a few years ago and my daughter shared it with me because my hips and thighs are not big enough already.....

I love the versatility of this bread because you can add so many different herbs and spices to it and have it compliment any meal.

Garlic Knots

(1) Can Pillsbury Refrigerated Grands Biscuits
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves of garlic, minced

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Put the cold 1/2 stick of butter into (a non-stick sprayed) bundt pan and let it melt in the preheated oven.

While the butter is melting, cut the Grands biscuits into quarters.  In a bowl, toss the biscuit pieces, garlic and Parmesan cheese together.

Once the butter is melted, add the biscuit mixture, sprinkling with any cheese and garlic that gets left behind in the bowl.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes until biscuits are cooked through and top is lightly golden.  Let cool on rack for approximately 5 minutes.  Put a platter on top of bundt pan and invert it.  Remove bundt pan and serve on platter.

Pasta, Parent Conferences and Pantry Purging

"The Great American Pantry Purge" phrase was coined by my friend Toni in Alaska.  I am so envious of her, because the pantry in her house is larger than my bathroom.  One weekend we were over at their house for dinner, she told me what she had planned for our menu that night and further explained that it is was because they were in the middle of their Great American Pantry Purge Week...meaning that she was using and cooking with what was already in the house - she made it sound so much fun with her catchy phrase.

Fast forward, I have been diligently trying to keep with my coupon cutting, weekly calendar dinner menu planning (so I only need to hit the grocery store once during an entire week) and really trying to pay attention to what I can use up in the kitchen.  Nothing makes me more crazy than over buying something that I already have an abundance of in the pantry...how many cans of tomato soup and tuna does one house need, really??

Angus watching mom purge, organize and collecting his socks around the house.

A few weeks ago were parent-teacher conferences at our girls' school.  They have a wonderful program where the leadership academy students and parents make dinner for all the staff that are there late at night for conferences and don't have time to run out for a quick meal.  This time the theme was Italian - perfect!!

The best news of all was that the meal I wanted to make, I was able to purge everything I already had on hand in our kitchen.  I just love it when a plan falls into place.

As I have previously mentioned, my husband's family published their own family cookbook.  Some of the recipes go back three generations and have stood the test of time and taken on their own spin as the various family members try them out.

The famous family cookbook.

One of our go-to favorites is "Grannie's Lasagna".  Awesome quick fix, weeknight casserole that is perfect for families or pot lucks, and even makes great leftovers too. So, purge your pantry away while you enjoy this one and for all those great teachers out there who give so much of their time.  After dealing with teenagers all day, it's the least I could do for them.  I even purged our remaining King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls into these delicious garlic, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese bread creations - yummy!!!

Grannie's Lasagna
Courtesy of Jan and Will

(1) 12-ounce package noodles (egg, bow tie, etc.)
(1) 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
(1) pint sour cream
1/2 pound Parmesan cheese
1 to 2 pounds ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 to 2 cans tomato sauce (or 1 jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon sugar

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Saute meat, onion and garlic.  Drain meat.  Add tomato sauce and sugar, set aside.  Boil noodles as directed.  Mix drained noodles with cream cheese and sour cream.  Spray Pam in large casserole dish and spread noodles in bottom of dish.  Add meat mixture on top and finish off with fresh Parmesan cheese.  Bake uncovered approximately 45 minutes, until bubbly.

Also needed to purge Mark West Pinot Noir