Nomday: What About Parties?

Happy Nomday after another very busy weekend! With all of the holiday parties and shenanigans complete meals are likely the last thing on anyone’s mind. I know we have been eating and creating finger foods for days! But, they are just as great to toss in your lunch box or pile on as adorable entrees. So, what are some of your favorite things to make and take to potlucks and year end shindigs? Please, no more cookies, fluff salads or cheese and cracker trays! 

How about mini lamb and veggie kabobs?

Mini-crescent dogs?

Home-made pizza rolls?

These are a few to get you started! Happy holidays!

Nomday: Potato Soup

It is finally getting cool enough for soup in Arizona! I am so giddy! Soup is one of my favorite foods; it goes with breads, in a cup, great for movie watching or chatting with friends. Soup is amazing! This one will really stick to your ribs too. A hint if you intend to eat this in portions through the week and reheat, add a bit more milk or cream to each serving before heating unless you are fond of mooshy mashed potatoes.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 – 8 hours

6 - 8 large potatoes cubed

1 large onion, diced

1 quart chicken broth

3 - 6 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup butter

Salt to taste Pepper to taste

1 cup cream

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Garnish: chives, sour cream, bacon, and cheese

Combine top 7 ingredients in slow. Mash potatoes until coarsely chopped and soup is thickened. Stir in cream and cheese. Add toppings.

Nomday: Another Easy Meatloaf Recipe!

I know, more meatloaf, but there is a reason for it. Summer in Arizona is a confusing time in terms of eating. When we are working outside we want something cold; when we indoors we are freezing! If you work in an office a nice reheated slice of meatloaf can be just the thing to get through the A/C induced hypothermia. If you would rather something cold for lunch, thin sliced meatloaf sandwich with a bit of tomato and spinach leaves is great! So, you see, the meatloaf is truly the perfect food!

Basic Meatloaf

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Approximate Cost: $15.00

3 pounds ground beef

1 14 ounce can sliced mushrooms

2/3 bag of shredded cheddar cheese

1 packet onion soup mix

Catsup to taste

Mix all ingredients, except catsup, in large bowl or directly in crockpot. Press into loaf leaving space along the walls of the crockpot. Drizzle catsup over top of loaf. Cook on low heat for eight hours.

Nomday Max's Tacos

So, JD is off on the adventure of a lifetime to Upstate New York for a year! Thirteen and leaving the nest already. But, he did want one last Arizona specialty meal before jaunting off.

Tacos (Max Style)

2 tblsp Cumin

3 cloves garlic, crushed

½ cup water

2 lbs ground turkey or beef

Sour cream

Salsa

Lettuce

Tomato

Shredded cheese

Soft tortillas

Mix cumin and garlic in water while meat browns in skillet. Add season mixture to meat and simmer until cooked. Create your amazing taco!

Nomday: Ravioli with Hot Ground Sausage

Finally recovered after Phoenix Comic Con, new rehearsals, and a signing for Blackstrap’s Ecstasy at Todd’s Books in Payson, Arizona and I am finally back to cooking. Not that into it though, so here is something simple but tasty!

Ravioli with Italian Sausage

Approximate Cost: $20.00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

2 bags frozen ravioli (we used portabella mushroom filled)

1 lbs hot ground sausage

1 lbs regular ground sausage

16 oz can pasta sauce

10 oz can crushed tomatoes

3 cloves garlic (crushed)

Add ravioli, pasta sauce, tomatoes and garlic to crockpot. Brown sausage in large skillet and add to crockpot.

Nomday: Stuffed Red Peppers

Stuff Red Peppers in Crockpot

Approximate Cost: $35.00

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 – 6 hours

3 lbs 80% lean ground beef

1.5 lbs ground hot sausage

6 – 8 large red peppers (tops and seeds removed)

1 small carton mushrooms (chopped)

2 small tomatoes (chopped)

3 cloves garlic (chopped)

2 cans pasta sauce

1 packet tomato pesto mix

1 packet garlic and onion mix

Parmesan cheese to taste

Blend meat, and chopped veggies with garlic and onion mix. Fill peppers with meat mix. Place peppers into crockpot. They should fit snug. Mix tomato pesto mix with pasta sauce. Pour sauce over peppers to fill crockpot. Coat peppers with parmesan cheese. Cover. Cook on high for four hours.

Nomday: SPAM and Cheese

Sometimes you just have to go back to the basics.

SPAM-aroni and Cheese

Approximate Cost: $15.00

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

2 bags macaroni noodles

16 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded

8 oz. milk

2 cans SPAM, cubed

Salt and Pepper to taste

Add cooked noodles to all other ingredients in crock pot. Cook 45 minutes or until cheese is fully melted.

Nomday: Summer Salads

Arizona is finally ‘blessed’ with summer-like weather. Joy of joys. So, here are a couple cold meal ideas to try out.

Tuna Salad

Approximate Cost: $5.00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: No Cooking

5 cans tuna

1 block cream cheese

1 tblsp. lemon juice (optional)

½ cup Mayonnaise

2 cloves garlic crushed

Salt & pepper to taste

Soften cream cheese and mix all ingredients until smooth. Serve on salad greens or toast.

Chicken Salad

Approximate Cost: $30.00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

1 lbs. chicken breast (cooked)

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup walnuts

1 cup pine nuts

½ cup Swiss or other semi hard cheese.

4-6 orange cuties (peeled and separated)

16 oz lettuce or salad greens of choice.

Bake the chicken for 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Allow chicken to cool before shredding or slicing into bite-sized pieces. Toss all ingredients in a large salad bowl. The fruit adds enough moisture in my opinion, but a small amount of balsamic vinegar doesn’t hurt.

Nomday: Potato Soup

I only did cooking for one household today and this recipe was not crossed off the list since it is a favorite, so expect to see a more complicated version later in the year.

Potato Soup

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 – 8 hours

8 medium red potatoes, cubed

1 large red onion, diced

1 quart chicken broth

6 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup butter

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Paprika to taste

Nutmeg to taste

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Combine ingredients and cook on low heat. Mash potatoes until coarsely chopped and soup is thickened. Stir in cream and cheese. Add toppings as desired.