Recipe$ u$ing ingredient$ you have on hand

We live 7 miles from the nearest fast food and as a cheapskate, I cook most of the family meals during the week and am always looking for quick, nutritious recipes that I can get on the table in a hurry after cross country practice. Tonight I was planning on using some Market Day http://www.marketday.com/cheese ravioli I had on hand but my palate was not too thrilled by the idea of that topped only with some canned spaghetti sauce.

Lucky for me I stumbled on http://allrecipes.com/Search/Ingredients.aspx. This site allows you to input the ingredients you have on hand (and also allows you to EXCLUDE items from a recipe search in the event you have, say, an aversion to broccoli or an allergy to shellfish) and provides a large list of recipes from which to select. It was a fast, easy process. I printed a few of the recipes and have yet to decide (Ravioli Alfredo with Mushrooms or Ravioli Lasagna are currently front runners) what I'll prepare tonight--but I am looking forward to dinner this evening.

Putting up Produce

The asparagus and broccoli have been blanched and placed in shrink-vacuumed bags and placed in the freezer for use this winter.

Here is a recipe for a quick and delicious use of some of your broccoli

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo with broccoli
1) Grill seasoned chicken breasts, slice
2) Heat a jar of your favorite Alfredo sauce, seasoned with a few flakes of Cayenne if desired (may need to thin with a bit of milk) in a large saute pan
3) Cook a head of broccoli which has been separated into florets, drain and add to Alfredo sauce
4) Cook a package of cheese tortellini according to directions, drain and add to Alfredo sauce mixture
5) Toss all ingredients together and place chicken strips atop the past mixture. Delicious, easy and fast!

Berries are coming in and they will be picked, placed on a cookie sheet and allowed to freeze before packing in freezer boxes. Jam recipes are being researched for the black berries (because I don't like to eat them but do love a good blackberry jam on a toasted English muffin). I am planning on giving away some jams as Christmas gifts

Mama'$ Meatball$

As promised, a fantastic meatball recipe
This makes about 48 meatballs

Part of saving money is also in saving time
I make these meatballs when I have a free afternoon and freeze them for future use.

Mama's Meatballs
5 lbs ground chuck
5 eggs
2 cups Romano cheese, grated
4 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
3 heaping tablespoons minced fresh garlic
5 heaping tablespoons oregano
5 heaping tablespoons basil
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients using your hands
Roll into balls a little larger than a golf ball
Cook in a skillet until lightly browned on all sides or freeze for future use.

Yummy! Bon Appetite!