Hello Friends -- I'm so sorry this is late -- I had to take my mom to the doctor today and am just now sitting down to the computer. She's fine, just needed some adjustments made to her meds and a good talking to from her doctor about eating right.
Speaking of eating right -- I've begun doing just that. I'm so happy to report that I've lost about 15 pounds and my clothes feel so much better to wear. I've given up sugar for the most part and have enjoyed eating more fruits and vegetables every day. I was really worried about eating the BBQ foods of the 4th of July but made it through just fine. I found that I really wanted the healthy stuff and not so much of the sweets and salty treats -- this is a major shift for me. I will admit to having a little homemade "lowfat" ice cream and really enjoyed it -- but today the craving is gone -- I am just as happy with a cold piece of watermelon -- if not happier! Thank you Lord for this major step in eating healthier!
I want to share a recipe for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with you today. It's really good if you make it a day in advance because it will give the flavors time to meld. It's such an adaptable recipe that you can easily make more or less or thicken it or make it thinner depending on the type of pasta dish you plan to serve. Here's the basic one:
1 pound of lean ground beef (ground turkey is fine too)
1 T. Olive oil
2 large cloves garlic - chopped finely
1 large or 2 medium shallots - chopped finely
2 bay leaves
3 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme
1 t. dried oregano (fresh oregano is wayyyy too strong)
5 or 6 leaves fresh basil
(If you don't like to use fresh herbs - use 1 heaping Tablespoon Italian Seasoning)
16 oz. chopped or crushed tomatoes
2 T. tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
Heat a large iron skillet and place olive oil in to coat the pan lightly. Brown and crumble ground beef. Beef shouldn't be greasy if it's lean -- if you use a heavy meat, drain most of the fat off before adding the remainder of the ingredients. Don't drain all the oil off or the sauce will stick and scorch. Once meat begins to brown, add salt and pepper, garlic and shallots. Mix and saute' until the shallots and garlic are tender. Add all herbs except basil. Pour in tomatoes and add tomato paste. Let this simmer until the liquid reduces by about 1/3. Chop or tear basil leaves and stir in. Let simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes on low heat. If you want to spice it up a little -- you can add red pepper flakes at this point. If you are making this recipe ahead, allow it to cool and then place in the refrigerator.
This sauce is good for canning if you'll just cook the sauce without the meat. It will be thin though. I have just found that canning the tomatoes and then making the sauce fresh is much easier and really tastes a lot fresher too.
Suggestions for use: Traditional spaghetti sauce -- great with Angel Hair pasta and garlic bread with a big fresh tossed salad.
Lasagna sauce -- double the recipe -- you'll need lots of sauce for this! But its fabulous!!
Cheesy Mac -- cook the sauce, then add to macaroni and layer in slices of cheddar or fresh mozzarella cheese --- so yummy -- but not low in fat! :)
Spaghetti and Meatballs -- purchase an additional pound of ground beef and make small to medium sized meatballs by combining a small amount of buttermilk, some bread crumbs (1/3 cup or so), and some additional fresh herbs (basil, thyme, oregano) and salt and pepper. Bake at 350 until golden brown. MUCH easier than cooking on the stove!
Meatball hoagie -- use leftovers to make a great sandwich!!
Here's another good lowfat treat!
Lowfat Homemade Ice Cream
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 can low fat evaporated milk
6 cups organic low fat (2%) milk
1T. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs (optional)
1 1/2 t. vanilla
Mix eggs and sugar together until smooth. Add milks, lemon juice and vanilla and mix until smooth -- mix will be thin. Pour into freezer container (traditional ice cream freezer) and mix until frozen. Let cure about 3 hours before eating and it will be light, cold and delicious! Makes 1 gallon.
I hope you all have a great week! I promise to do better with my 'BLOGGING' schedule.....
May the Lord bless you this week in your journey....Be strong in the Lord sweet friends! He sure loves you!
Amy
Speaking of eating right -- I've begun doing just that. I'm so happy to report that I've lost about 15 pounds and my clothes feel so much better to wear. I've given up sugar for the most part and have enjoyed eating more fruits and vegetables every day. I was really worried about eating the BBQ foods of the 4th of July but made it through just fine. I found that I really wanted the healthy stuff and not so much of the sweets and salty treats -- this is a major shift for me. I will admit to having a little homemade "lowfat" ice cream and really enjoyed it -- but today the craving is gone -- I am just as happy with a cold piece of watermelon -- if not happier! Thank you Lord for this major step in eating healthier!
I want to share a recipe for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with you today. It's really good if you make it a day in advance because it will give the flavors time to meld. It's such an adaptable recipe that you can easily make more or less or thicken it or make it thinner depending on the type of pasta dish you plan to serve. Here's the basic one:
1 pound of lean ground beef (ground turkey is fine too)
1 T. Olive oil
2 large cloves garlic - chopped finely
1 large or 2 medium shallots - chopped finely
2 bay leaves
3 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme
1 t. dried oregano (fresh oregano is wayyyy too strong)
5 or 6 leaves fresh basil
(If you don't like to use fresh herbs - use 1 heaping Tablespoon Italian Seasoning)
16 oz. chopped or crushed tomatoes
2 T. tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
Heat a large iron skillet and place olive oil in to coat the pan lightly. Brown and crumble ground beef. Beef shouldn't be greasy if it's lean -- if you use a heavy meat, drain most of the fat off before adding the remainder of the ingredients. Don't drain all the oil off or the sauce will stick and scorch. Once meat begins to brown, add salt and pepper, garlic and shallots. Mix and saute' until the shallots and garlic are tender. Add all herbs except basil. Pour in tomatoes and add tomato paste. Let this simmer until the liquid reduces by about 1/3. Chop or tear basil leaves and stir in. Let simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes on low heat. If you want to spice it up a little -- you can add red pepper flakes at this point. If you are making this recipe ahead, allow it to cool and then place in the refrigerator.
This sauce is good for canning if you'll just cook the sauce without the meat. It will be thin though. I have just found that canning the tomatoes and then making the sauce fresh is much easier and really tastes a lot fresher too.
Suggestions for use: Traditional spaghetti sauce -- great with Angel Hair pasta and garlic bread with a big fresh tossed salad.
Lasagna sauce -- double the recipe -- you'll need lots of sauce for this! But its fabulous!!
Cheesy Mac -- cook the sauce, then add to macaroni and layer in slices of cheddar or fresh mozzarella cheese --- so yummy -- but not low in fat! :)
Spaghetti and Meatballs -- purchase an additional pound of ground beef and make small to medium sized meatballs by combining a small amount of buttermilk, some bread crumbs (1/3 cup or so), and some additional fresh herbs (basil, thyme, oregano) and salt and pepper. Bake at 350 until golden brown. MUCH easier than cooking on the stove!
Meatball hoagie -- use leftovers to make a great sandwich!!
Here's another good lowfat treat!
Lowfat Homemade Ice Cream
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 can low fat evaporated milk
6 cups organic low fat (2%) milk
1T. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs (optional)
1 1/2 t. vanilla
Mix eggs and sugar together until smooth. Add milks, lemon juice and vanilla and mix until smooth -- mix will be thin. Pour into freezer container (traditional ice cream freezer) and mix until frozen. Let cure about 3 hours before eating and it will be light, cold and delicious! Makes 1 gallon.
I hope you all have a great week! I promise to do better with my 'BLOGGING' schedule.....
May the Lord bless you this week in your journey....Be strong in the Lord sweet friends! He sure loves you!
Amy
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