Spaghetti & Meatballs

Oh-so-good. David hails it as my best spaghetti ever! On a practical note: this one takes some time, but it's worth it. If you typically don't really enjoy taking time in the kitchen, don't make this on an average weeknight, save it for when you have some time on your hands. On the other hand, if you love making things from scratch, go out and buy these ingredients immediately.

Spaghetti & Meatballs
an adaptation of a Pioneer Woman recipe

Meatballs:
1 lb. lean ground meat (I prefer turkey)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. Italian breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/8 c. dried parsley
1/8 tsp. salt
Several tbsp. olive oil (to cook meatballs in)

Sauce:
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
A pinch of red pepper flakes
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes (if you really like chunks, if not, go for petite diced)
1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/3 c. white wine (optional)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. parsley, minced (or dried)
1 lb. spaghetti, cooked

To make the meatballs, combine meat, garlic, breadcrumbs, parmesan, eggs, salt and parsley in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly. Roll into 16 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. Place in freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm up.
To brown the meatballs, heat olive oil in a large pot (what you will eventually cook the sauce in) over medium-high heat. Add meatballs 8 at a time, turning to brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel after each batch. Set meatballs aside. (Meatballs won't be cooked all the way through - they will finish cooking in the sauce, just try to brown the outsides.)
In the same pot (don't empty out the leftover meatball goodness left inside!), add the onions, garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes and cook for a few minutes, or until onions are translucent. Pour in tomatoes and wine. Add salt, pepper, sugar and parsley. Stir to combine. Add meatballs to pot and stir gently. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring very gently a couple of times during the simmer.
Serve over spaghetti. Sprinkle with extra parmesan. Serves 4 (probably with leftovers).

Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing

Ok, I can't say that this one is good FOR you, but it is definitely delicious. It might be better for the soul than the body. The cupcakes aren't overly sweet, and you can definitely taste the stout, but the buttercream is deliciously sweet and REALLY rich. It's a great combo.

Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing
Cupcakes by Bon Appetit (discovered by Julie Lindbergh); Icing a combination of Martha Stewart recipes

Cupcakes:
1/2 c. stout (Guiness)
1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/3 tsp. salt
1 large egg
1/3 c. sour cream

Preheat oven to 350. Bring stout and butter to a simmer in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.
Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl to blend. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sour cream together. Add the stout mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed just to combine.
Spoon batter into a large muffin tin filled with paper liners. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow them to cool completely before icing if you want the icing to stay on the cupcakes. If you don't care, eat them warm with the icing - it's delicious. Makes about a dozen cupcakes.

Icing:
2/3 c. sugar
3 large egg whites
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and cut into tablespoons

In a heatproof bowl, set over (not in) a pan of simmering water. Whisk together egg whites and sugar until teh sugar dissolves (takes several minutes, but whisk sporadically throughout). Pour mixture into a stand mixer and beta for 15 minutes (until stiff peaks form). Reduce mixer speed to medium-low and gradually add butter, beating until fully incorporated (3-5 min).

If you haven't made buttercream icing before, be forewarned that it is VERY hard to get to spread well. It has to be exactly the right temperature, and won't stay combined for long (it will start to separate). If the icing gets too cold, it will clump as you would expect butter to do. So, ice immediately before serving. It's delicious and totally worth the hassle, but will probably work best for low-key events/guests. If you need a more fool-proof recipe, try looking up a buttercream recipe that involves confectioners sugar and butter.

Shepherd's Pie

This is one of Mom's recipes. Nothing says comfort food to me like this recipe, but really, its' quite good for you. Tons of veggies and some meat! Can't beat that! Make this recipe your own by topping it with your own favorite mashed potatoes recipe (I never write mine down - it's just whatever we've got in the fridge).

Mom's Shepherd's Pie

1 lb. lean ground meat (I like turkey)
1 small onion, chopped
1 8oz. bag frozen peas and carrots
1 can of chicken broth
3ish tbsp. flour
1 egg
1 lb. mashed potatoes (bought or homemade)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

Meat/Veggie Part
Start browning the meat and add in the onions once the meat is half-way cooked. Once the meat and onions are thoroughly cooked, assess whether or not it's worth draining off the residual liquid and do so. Add 1/2 the can of chicken broth and some flour, 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Make sure the flour doesn't lump as you mix it in. Add in the frozen veggies. Pour in the rest of the chicken broth. You know you need more flour if your mixture is runny, but you know that the mixture will thicken up as you cook it. All ingredients should be well coated with teh flour/broth mixture, and there should be some extra in the bottom of the pan. The consistency of the flour/broth mixture should be thicker than water, but runnier than gravy. It'll kind of look like a stew. Make sure the veggies get to be heated through.

Potato Part
Either thaw or make your mashed potatoes as you usually would. After cooked, mix in an egg. Try to temper adding the egg so that the hot potatoes don't cook it. Mix in 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper in addition to what you usually add.

Combining
Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Add in the meat/veggie mixture. Spoon and smooth the potato mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 5 more minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes or be prepared to burn your mouth.