Hello -

Hello everyone.

It's been a while since I've been able to concentrate enough to enjoy my blogs.

Please bear with me - it's truly been a struggle.

Life has changed - and I know I must go on and I want to thank all of you who have stood my me with all this that I have gone through.

Previous to this I thought my computer problems were the worst thing that could happen. Sure it screwed me up - but things happen in life that need your attention more than your computer. Before everything happened I was consolidating my blogs into one - because there was so much more that I wanted to do and to offer to everyone.
Yes - I finally got a REAL computer and it works just fine.

And like I have mentioned - I am consolidating my blogs into one - there is so much more that I have up my sleeve - so my blogs as you see them will soon be disappearing - the posts are being moved (which I am finally back to doing)

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/

That will be our new home. It's got a different look - posting takes a bit longer - but I do like it.

Not only am I moving my posts - but - I have new posts (or posts you have not seen yet) that are there.

I really hope you will stop by my new site - take a look - leave a comment - and join in.

As far as my newsletters go - like I said - trying to return to normalcy has been hard. I will resume them shortly.

Thank you for standing by me - and a big hug and thank you to those who helped me through this.

Old Fashioned Home Cooking, The Familia Kitchen, Treasusres from My Kitchen - will all be moving - I've started and I am going to finish it.

Recipes by Ingredient will stay as is - and I've got thousands more recipes to post there for everyone.

Once again - I thank you for being there for me. Each day is a struggle - but I know I have to move on.

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/

Thank you all -

Hello dear friends -

As many of you already know - I have been "absent" for the past 2 months. When someone you love needs total care - it comes first - above everything else.

I've lost this very special person and it has been quite devastating to me. I will admit that I am having a very hard time with this. They say time will heal - but that I doubt. In time I may adjust - but I don't think I will ever heal from this.
I have missed everyone and I have missed my blogs.

It's now time for me to pull myself together and start again. I will be posting to my blogs, and I will be sharing much with you.

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes - you have been there for me when I was so lost and had no where to turn. Bless you all.

And yes, I will be back to sending out my newsletters and completing more cookbooks to share with you.

Blessing to you all -

A healthy one-pot meal -

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/uncategorized/a-healthy-one-pot-meal/

Super Bowl Sunday

Well it is finally here - Super Bowl XLV.

The Packers VS The Steelers.

I'm not the brightest light bulb in the package when it comes to football - maybe it's because MY team is the Buffalo Bills. Quit Laughing! They did make it to the Super Bowl FOUR YEARS IN A ROW - they just didn't win - and for that I blame Jim Kelly. And when you're used to rootin' for a team that loses all the time - you forget what real football is.

But I am going to say it's going to be - Packers 24 - Steelers 17. And it will be a great game.

I can't wait to see the commercials - most likely there will be some real duds - but I am hoping there are some good ones to enjoy.

Ever since the Super Bowl after 911 - I don't miss the commercials. Nothing will ever top the Budweiser horses bowing to the towers!

Believe it or not - I remember the very first Super Bowl. My dad was a big football fan. Gosh how he loved it. One game on the boob tube, and the radio going with another one broadcasted. He was a true armchair quarterback. And he was a big Bills fan - even back in the days when they didn't know what the game was about (the Bills that is) my dad still supported them - it was our hometown team. So now you know how I got to be such a big Bills fan.

My dad and my uncles were all talking about it for weeks - a Super Bowl. Cripe, they couldn't wait to see what it was going to be like and if there would be anymore the following years.

Too bad he couldn't be here now to see it all. I remember when they started with the instant replay for football games - he was in heaven. Well that is where dad is now - and I know he'll be watching the game.

Mom made a huge dinner that day - roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, all kinds of veggies, salads, desserts, homemade macaroni, lasagna, meatballs, homemade breads - and we had a packed house. But then again - that was a typical Sunday for us!

And how dad and my uncles enjoyed the game. And the food, of course.

Today - mom and I are going to enjoy the game - just the two of us. So cooking a big meal I won't be doing. We've chosen to enjoy football burgers - Oz-style (for my dad).

I went to the market yesterday because, of course, they called for more snow (which I am so sick of right now) and I didn't want to leave the house today. I grabbed a package of ground chuck, hoagie rolls, some fresh veggies and some crackers and headed home.

So today it was football hoagies - Oz-style, with coleslaw with a vinegar/oil dressing.




Since it only took a few minutes to make - I made my coleslaw first -

First I grated my cabbage and a carrot.
For my dressing -

In a small bowl, whisk to dissolve:
2 tablespoons sugar
Scant 1/4 cup white vinegar

Add:
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Stir in:
About 1/3 cup vegetable oil. Combine and pour over cabbage mix; toss to coat; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.



I shaped my patties for the hoagie rolls. Skillet fried in olive oil and butter (great taste!) and seasoned with Kosher salt, garlic, cracked blacked pepper, and parsley.



I added 2 small cooking onions for a bit of flavor.

Plated but not dressed:



I topped with lettuce, tomato, sliced sweet onions and slathered on the mayo. Served with pickles and coleslaw.

True belly-busters!

That was our lunch - I'll fix a quick dinner before the game - just don't know what I'll make since we are so stuffed from these!

Just craving a big juicy burger today -

Speaking of burgers!

I am a burger lover! With or with out a bun, with or without cheese, with or without gravy, mushrooms, onions, etc.

A nice "flavor" for your hamburger buns is to mix to taste: softened butter, savory, garlic and a bit of salt. I go heavy on the garlic - I love it so much. Spread on buns and toast or grill slightly. This really adds a great flavor!

And for the burgers - anything goes. But my favorite is skillet fried in olive oil and butter, with fresh garlic, salt, pepper, parsley (which sometimes I will add to meat mixture before forming into patties - best flavor ever!).

I do not press down on them to release all those wonderful and flavorful juices. Cook well done is best for me. Sometimes I add sliced or chunked onions and sliced mushrooms. Sometimes I make a gravy of some sort.


Sometimes I make a cheese sauce. Homemade is best but a quick cheese sauce is made by using a can of cheddar cheese soup.


Patty melts are another favorite - at least 3 different cheeses are needed for a patty melt - Swiss, American (yellow or white) and cheddar or pimiento is a nice combo accompanied by fried onion rings - so is provolone, mozzarella and white cheddar - which of course calls for a nice topping of marinara sauce!
My favorite patty melt is served on a good seeded rye - unless it has marinara sauce - then it’s a nice crusty Italian roll.


Basic cheeseburgers made with Velveeta or Velveeta pimiento with sandwich spread has always been a favorite. I take after my dad with that combination. Served on a large egg roll (bulkies).

But in order to make an exceptionally good burger - do not handle the meat to toughen it. Make big, thick burgers and if skillet frying - let them cook over a moderate heat without squishing all those fabulous juices out of them. Who likes a dry burger? Want a dry burger - go to McD’s or BK! And thin, little, sickly looking burgers don’t cut it in my house! The size of the bun when cooked!!

Sometimes I will dredge by burgers in flour before frying. I prefer skillet frying over broiling and grilling - I love a juicy burger!! Insist on having a burger on the grill??? Then I put the cast iron skillet on the grill!! I do not want to lose those fabulous pan juices! LOL!

There is nothing like a great burger!

Cabbage Soup

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/breakfast-brunch-and-lunch/cabbage-soup/

Goodbye Campbell’s Soups -

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/uncategorized/on-my-soap-box/goodbye-campbells-soups/