Inside-Out Spaghetti Pie

A creative take on your classic spaghetti and meatballs with a Inside -Out Spaghetti Pie. It's a  savory pie made with a beefy crust, pizza sauce, cheese and noodles. Sure to be a family favorite. 

Cook's Notes: Recipe adapted from BHG and serves 6. 
Cooking Tip: Use ground beef that's 90% lean so there's less grease to drain. Ground Italian Sausage can be substituted. To ensure easier cutting, let stand 15 minutes before cutting pieces. 
Use tongs to mix spaghetti noodles in butter sauce and place on top of pizza sauce. 
Use a fork to spread ground beef in pie pan. 
Ingredients:

• 1- 5 ounce can evaporated milk (you will use only 4 oz.) 
• 3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 1 small onion, chopped about 3/4 cup
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1-1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning, crushed, divided
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound lean ground beef (90%) 
• 3/4 box (13.25 oz) ounces dried spaghetti
• 1 TB.butter
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2  cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more grated cheese for topping
• 1-14 oz. jar pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese, shredded 
• Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine evaporated milk, bread crumbs, onion, salt, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, and pepper. Add ground meat; mix well. Lightly press mixture evenly onto the bottom and up the side of an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. 

• Bake, uncovered, about 25 minutes or until done (160 degrees F). Carefully tilt dish and drain off fat keeping meat in dish using paper towels. It's tricky but can be done :).
• Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Return to pan. Stir in butter until melted, add in egg and Parmesan cheese until spaghetti is coated.

• Add 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning to pizza sauce jar. Spread half of the pizza sauce over meat mixture. Top with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the spaghetti mixture. Top with the remaining pizza sauce and the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese or ColbyJack. Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.

• Add foil strips around outside edge to prevent over browning.
• Bake, uncovered, about 20 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

A Summer Adventure Trip to Finger Lake Region in Upper State NY.

This is an area made up of 5 major lakes, The Finger Lakes are known for producing excellent wine, particularly for world-renowned Rieslings. I am told it's a must-see destination, from hiking and to a number of state parks with scenic beauty including Watkins Glen State Park to see the gorge trail complete with 19 waterfalls. 

My daughter has her list and it looks packed. Remember our Texas trip to Austin, Waco and Hill Country last June? She does not miss a thing. Check back during the week to see what we are up to.  
FYI: I had to buy a raincoat-looks like the MN rain is going to follow us. 

Sundae Funday

MAKE IT A 

embrace the day with an ice cream bar. 

Create some sweet memories for Sunday with dad. It's a fun simple concept Sundae Funday allowing for lots of creative options. Start with waffle bowls

or an ice cream tulip type glass. 

Raid your cupboards and refrigerator for the wackiest, silliest and yummiest toppings such as sprinkles, nuts, flavored toppings, cereal, cherries, whip cream, fruits. Have several kinds of ice cream and let everyone loose to channel their creativity.  

Another fun idea to consider are ice cream sandwiches.

This idea requires some preplanning but the possibilities are limitless with kinds of ice cream, cookies and sprinkles used. A refreshing dessert that's sure to please all palates. Ice cream sandwiches can be made ahead and individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed on a cookie sheet or in a 13 x 9 pan and kept in freezer until serving.
Ingredients:
Cookies, homemade or store bought
Ice cream, 1 quart
Sprinkles
Chocolate sauce
Directions:
Soften ice cream and spread out in a 8 x 8 glass pan. Cover with foil and return to freezer to harden

When ready to serve use a glass jelly jar to make a round ice-cream circle. The ice-cream circle should be little smaller that cookie.


Place cookie on a plate, top with ice cream circle, top with another cookie, pour warm chocolate sauce over and and don't forget the sprinkles because everything tastes better with sprinkles.

My favorite take on the cookie ice cream sandwich Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

You will need a stack of Oreo cookies. 

a bowl of sprinkles  

and your favorite ice cream.

Directions: Separate the Oreo cookie and place a scoop of ice cream in between. Roll the edges of the ice cream stuffed Oreo cookie in sprinkles. How easy is that!! 

OH HAPPY DAY!

One More Fun Summer Idea

Party Time
The Proof is in the Pudding

Calling all Margaritas Lovers
Cook's Notes: Mix up a round of margarita pudding for your summer entertaining. With a package of instant French Vanilla pudding, some whipped cream, lime zest, lime juice and a splash of tequila it's a refreshing summer treat. Need it to be kid-friendly-no problem,  just skip the tequila. Recipe serves 3-4 depending on the size of the margarita glass. Recipe adapted from Food Network June 2019.  
Ingredients:

• Instant French Vanilla Pudding
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 TB. confectioners sugar
• Lime juice, lime zest
• 1-2 oz. Tequila (taste test at 1 oz. before adding more) 

Directions:

• Follow the directions on the box.
• Whip the cream and add in confectioner's sugar
• To the pudding, fold in whip cream mixture. lime juice, zest and tequila.  
• Moisten the rim of the glass with lime juice and dip in coarse sugar. 
• Spoon pudding mixture and refrigerate until pudding is chilled.  

More Summer Fun Treats

Remember the posting in May- Literary Conversations Over a Plate of Food 

 
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/05/literary-conversations-over-plate-of.html
and the small containers used for Mango Chutney Chicken Salad?

Well I still had some containers and spoons left over. So with neighbors coming for coffee they were the perfect size to serve Mini Strawberry Trifle.

Mini Strawberry Trifle

Cook's Notes: Recipe was enough for 10 mini trifles, pictured above. Double recipe if using a larger container like a small wine glass, pictured below, which would serve 4-6 with two layers.

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 prepared angel food cake
• 1 quart strawberries, rinsed and dried on paper towels

Strawberry Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

• 1-1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 oz. softened light cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 TB. Lemon Curd (found in jelly aisle) 

Cake Directions:

• Tear enough cake pieces as needed.
• Dice strawberries and reserve some whole ones if using for garnish on top. 

Strawberry Cream Cheese Whipped Cream Directions:

• In a small bowl beat softened cream cheese, vanilla. powdered sugar and lemon curd.
• Whip cream and fold cream cheese mixture until well blended. 
• If using a mini container only one cake layer and cream mixture topped with a small whole strawberry. If using a container like a wine glass. there will be two cake layers with diced strawberries. Optional grating lemon zest over the top.  

Fun Summer Foods

RANCH SALAD BOATS WITH BACON

Cook's Notes: Dining al fresco Romaine lettuce leaves are the perfect boat to float your ranch salad. Recipe inspiration Food Network June 2019. 
Ingredients:

• Buttermilk Dressing (recipe below) or substitute Lighthouse Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (produce section) 
• Romaine lettuce heart leaves 
• Cooked bacon pieces
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Radishes, thinly sliced
• Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
• Snipped fresh dill and green onion
• Fresh cracked pepper

Directions:

• Mix together bacon, tomatoes, radishes and cucumbers. Divide mixture among lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with dill, green onion and black pepper.  Drizzle dressing over salad. 

Buttermilk Dressing (for 4 )
Ingredients:

• 1/4  cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup light sour cream
• 3 TB. chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp. dried dill
• 3 TB. fresh chives or 1 tsp. dried chives
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1-2 dashes hot sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.

 Seasonal Plate Fun Summer Foods

Left to right 
Ranch Salad Boats
Mini S'More Pies
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/07/summer-discoveries.htmlMini Appetizer Hamburger with Waffle Fries
 https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/06/flag-day-special.html

Rhubarb and Strawberry Pie

Rhubarb Strawberry Pie
Cook's notes: Rhubarb is in full swing and a good time to take advantage of the crop.
Pair with strawberries and it's irresistible. My husband and I live by 

The pie is done. It's 5:00 but who cares if it's really suppertime when you can have a slice of old fashioned Rhubarb and Strawberry Pie ala mode.  

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups of sugar
• 3 TB. quick cooking tapioca
• Dash of salt
• Dash of nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. cold butter
• 3 cups sliced strawberries
• 3 cups rhubarb, cut in 1 inch pieces
• 2 TB. Saigon cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven 425 degrees.
• In a large bowl combine sugar, tapioca, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add in diced  strawberries and rhubarb. Mix well to coat.
• Let stand 30 minutes and stir occasionally.
• Place one rolled out pie crust in bottom of pie pan. Use a slotted spoon to drain fruit juices and place fruit mixture in bottom pie crust.
• Dot with butter and place second pie crust on top of the rhubarb mixture.
• Brush crust lightly with milk. Crimp edgers. 
• Mix a little sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over crust.
• Use a sharp knife to cut a few vents in the crust.
• Add strips of foil on outer edge to prevent crust edges from over browning.
• Bake 10 minutes at 425 and reduce heat to 400 and bake 30 minutes longer or until filling is bubbling and looks set.
• Wait until pie is cooled before cutting. 
  

Eggs Benedict Salad with Dill Hollandaise Sauce

Bridal Wreath

Deconstruct a breakfast meal and turn into a Sunday supper salad with all your favorite flavors. Homemade croutons made from English muffins add just the right crunch for this salad.

Eggs Benedict Salad with Dill Hollandaise Sauce

Cook's Notes: Recipe adapted from Food Network Magazine June 2019. If you must take a shortcut a store bought  Honey Mustard Dressing can be substituted for the Hollandaise Sauce or use a package of Hollandaise mix following manufacturer's directions. I used a prepared garlic bread seasoning mixture for croutons. Recipe serves 4.

For the Croutons and Salad:

• 3 thick English muffins, chopped into cubes
• 6 slices Canadian bacon (about 4 ounces)
• 4 large hard boiled eggs
• 8 ounces mixed greens (about 12 cups)
• 1/3 red onion, thinly sliced
• Olive Oil 
• Crouton seasoning (1/2 tsp each parsley flakes and garlic powder)  

For the Hollandaise Dressing:

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 sprig fresh dill, leaves chopped or 1/2 tsp. dried dill
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

• Make the croutons early in the day and set aside lightly covered with wax paper.  
• In a bowl mix 2 TB. olive oil with 1/2 tsp. parsley flakes and garlic powder. Cube 2 muffins at a time. Mix cubes with olive oil and seasoning mixture. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, spread out the English muffin cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or so, until they reach your desired crispiness. Move the cubes around halfway through baking time. 
• Cook the Canadian bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about 6 minutes per side; remove from the skillet and chop into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Make the salad: Place the greens, red onions, croutons, bacon on a platter or individual plates. Slice the eggs in half and place on top. Sprinkle everything with salt and pepper.
• Make the dressing: Whisk the egg yolk and lemon juice in a large bowl, then gradually drizzle in the melted butter and olive oil, whisking constantly until thickened and smooth. Stir in the dill and season with salt and pepper. Dress the salad to your liking!
  

Looking for other Spring Weeknight dinners check out 68 recipe ideas from Food Network.

Spring Asparagus Vegetable Fettuccine Alfredo

 https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/spring-weeknight-dinners?ic1=spoutable