Messy Giuseppes

I got this recipe off the Rachael Ray Show a couple years ago and it is by far one of my favorites and I have made it several times. Regular old sloppy joes will never be the same after you have tried this recipe. So yummy!

Messy Giuseppes
Sloppy Joe's Italian Cousin!

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 pound ground, 90 percent lean sirloin
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
5 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium portobello mushroom cap, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon (eyeball it) allspice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Coarse salt and black pepper
1/2 cup (a couple of glugs) red wine
3/4 cup beef stock
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup (a generous handful) flat-leaf parsley, chopped
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
5-8 fresh basil leaves, about 1/4 cup, chopped
1/4 cup (a small handful) grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Romano cheese
4 individual ciabatta rolls or any kind of crusty hoagie rolls
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation
Preheat the broiler to high.
For the meat sauce, heat a deep skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of EVOO, twice around the pan. Add the ground beef and cook until lightly browned, breaking up the meat with the back of a wooden spoon. Add green pepper, onion, 3/4 of the garlic, mushrooms, allspice, red pepper flakes and a little salt and pepper to the beef and cook for about 5-8 minutes.

Add the wine and cook another minute then add the beef stock, Worcestershie and tomatoes. Bring the mixture up to a bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 10 minutes. Finish it by stirring in a handful of chopped parsley.

While the meat is simmering, combine the remaining garlic with the soft butter, basil, parmesan cheese and a little salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Split the rolls in half lengthwise without cutting all the way through and separating the halves. Press open the rolls by flattening them out a little bit. Slather the insides with the butter and place 2 slices of the mozzarella on each roll. Toast until golden brown under the broiler, about 2-3 minutes.

Top one side of the cheesy garlic rolls with a heap of meat and get prepared to get sloppy with Messy Giuseppe!

Honey Lime Enchiladas

I have made this recipe twice now and it has been a big hit. Stephen especially loves it and it is a new favorite. Even Kensley ate her plate. This can even be frozen for later and I look forward to using it as a freezer recipe someday when I have freezer space!

Honey Lime Enchiladas
from SistersCafe

1.5 lbs cooked, shredded pork or chicken

Sauce:
1/3 c. honey
1/4 c. lime juice
1 T. chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 (10 oz) cans green enchilada sauce

equal parts mixed:
mozzarella cheese, shredded
cheddar cheese, shredded

flour tortillas

Mix together sauce ingredients then add to shredded pork or chicken. Let the sauce soak into the meat for about 30 minutes. (I added a can of black beans drained and rinsed to my chicken mixture).

Lightly spray pans with non-stick spray. Pour green enchilada sauce into pans to coat the entire bottom. Fill tortillas with shredded meat and desired amount of cheese. Roll and place in dish.

Pour remainder of sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle more cheese on top. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Williams Sonoma Chicken Pot Pie

This recipe was a big hit and I made it twice in the same week because I had enough ingredients on hand to make it again. We didn't even have any leftovers.

W-S Chicken Pot Pie
1 cup sliced peeled carrots
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas
2 T unsalted butter
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup half-n-half
1 T chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 egg yolk, beaten
1 9-inch pie dough round

Preheat oven to 400. Boil carrots for 5 minutes, boil corn for one minute. Drain and set aside. In large frying pan with lid, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook, uncovered, for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned on all sides. Sprinkle in flour and stir well. Stir in the stock, half and half, and parsley, and bring to a simmer. Cover, redue heat to low, and simmer for 6-7 minutes. Stir in veggies, including peas. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a 9 inch pie dish. Brush some egg yolk in a border around edge of pie dough. Place dough, egg side down, over the filling and press to rim of dish. Brush surfac lightly with remaining egg yolk. Cut a few slits in center of the top with the tip of a knife. Place pie dish on a baking sheet to catch spills. Bake until crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve hot.