Crisy Corn Bread

Well, it's still pretty cold out these days and nothing tastes better on a cold night than a steaming hot bowl of chili.  Or beer.  Or both.  But what can get ANY better than some really great corn bread to round out the mix??

I found this recipe at All Recipes and if you're really looking for a good recipe for ANYTHING, this is a great site!!  Anything you dream can be found here, with photos of the final produce (love that) and each recipe is rated by the users, so you always know what's good!  Check it out!

So, here's a fool proof corn bread recipe that I tried once, and have never looked back with.  It's perfectly sweet, crunchy and heck - a big old blob of butter on it really is like the icing on the cake!!

Prime Rib Dinner - Yorkshire Pudding

I struggled for quite a while many years ago when I lived with my Aunt and Uncle and we all took turns making dinner and I wanted Yorkshire Pudding.  My Grandmother used to make them and they were so wonderful covered in rich gravy.  That crispy outside and soft inside, hot and steamy.  Amazing!!

So, after many trials and experiments, I finally found what worked for me to produce a well puffed and beautifully crispy Yorkshire Pudding.  Here's what I do, and hopefully it will help someone who's scared to try, be able to share what I think are the BEST Yorkshire Puddings ever!  And you're not going to believe just how easy they are to make!

Prime Rib Dinner - Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I don't know many people that don't like mashed potatoes.  And unfortunately, I happen to live with three.  There's only 4 of us in the house!!  And I could live, breath, exist on mashed potatoes.  But, I think I've nearly converted Mr. Hungry to being a mashed potatoes fan.  He's come a long way in 10 years!  The kids, well they aren't sold on the whole matter JUST yet.  But I have hope.

These are the potatoes Mr. Hungry likes.  Dare I say 'loves'??  Not just yet, dont' want to jinx anything!!  And the good news, just add a bit more butter and a bit more cream cheese and you can make these a day ahead and heat on low in a slow cooker the next day!

I think the cream cheese, butter and milk create a very smooth texture and the addition of roasted garlic takes the flavour up a notch that just tastes >that much< better than the plain old potatoes I used to make! 

Again, a combination of recipes and research and experimenting have brought me to this combination for terrific mashed potatoes.  Feel free to use different spices in place of the parsley that suit your tastes.  Dill is a terrific alternative!

Prime Rib Dinner - Prime Rib Roast

Remember when Sunday dinners were a big event, surrounded by family around the table.  Sharing a meal, memories and stories??  We need more of that in our busy world.  Everyone should plan a Sunday dinner, if not once a week, then at least once a month.



And at our house, we do plan these family-centred meals.  Not every week, but when everyone has time in their busy schedule to stop by and pay a visit to play with the kids and hover around the kitchen waiting for a delicious meal.



A beautiful roast is the
essence of a Sunday dinner!



This Sunday, we had one of our dear friends over for dinner.  And luck would have it, prime rib roasts were on for a steal of a deal at one of the local markets...so how could I resist!

The nights meal will come in 3 parts.  In different posts. 

The roast.

The potatoes.

The Yorkshire puddings.

Meatball Submarine

OK, so last post I told you about making meatballs that can be used in a variety of ways and how we use them for meatball subs.  I decided to break up the meatballs vs the meatball subs posts so they don't get lost in cyber space.  And this recipe (if you can even call it that) is to show you that I don't ALWAYS cook full meals.

At least once or twice a week we have something simple and easy to do, or leftovers.  Gone are the days when we had loads of time to stand in the kitchen baking, cooking and creating a new meal each day.

But, it's so easy to get into the habit of the same.old.thing over and over again.  I've been there before!  You find a meal that is easy and tastes good and before you know it - you're tired of it because you've had it 5 times in the past month.

So what a great way to take something and change the way you use it!  And really, soup and a sandwich really isn't a bad meal after all!

Meatball Submarine
Makes: as many as you want


Submarine buns, parisian rolls or hoagie rolls

2-4 slices of cheese per 6" bun (we use mozzarella most days but any kind of cheese works nice)

2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 jar of spaghetti sauce (I use Classico Four Cheese Sauce because it's got a really nice/rich flavour)








Put your thawed or fresh meatballs (about 6-8 per 6" bun) into a pot and pour in enough sauce to just cover them.  Simmer over low heat until heated through.

Preheat your oven to broil.  Low if you have a choice of settings.

Cut open your roll, without fully cutting it into two pieces.  You want to have a healthy 'hinge' part still holding the top and bottom pieces together or you'll give your meatballs another place to escape from when you bite into this great sub!  One side open is enough!

Carefully lay your buns open on a baking sheet and lightly coat each side of each bun with butter or margarine.  You could also use Extra Virgin Olive Oil or a flavoured oil (I suggest chili oil if you can find it) but be careful you don't soak the bun too much.  Put sheet into the oven to lightly broil (about 3-5 minutes).

Remove from oven and, keeping the buns on your baking sheet, load one side of the bun with meatballs and sauce.  How much sauce you add is up to you, knowing that more sauce = messier sub.  But hey, that's the whole point of this meal!  Layer mozzarella cheese on top of meatballs and put the baking sheet and subs back into the oven until the cheese is melted and slightly toasted.

Gently close your sub, cut if required and slide onto a plate for devouring!  Don't mind the mess of sauce and cheese dripping through your fingers - it's the joy of a great tasting, messy meal!  And watch for that one meatball that just wants to try to escape out the side!

Enjoy your simple, tasty supper!

--The Cook