Fab Foodie Mama

Winter just won't give up it's grip on us here in the UP.  Ron and I got back last night from a week+  in Phoenix.  I worked all week and Ron tagged along this time with me to get out of the snow and cold for a bit.  We were scheduled to fly home from our connecting flight in Chicago on Friday night but flight was cancelled, and then cancelled again on Saturday.  So....we finally got a small break in the weather on Sunday night and were able to get home.  Had a couple of fun days in Chicago - shopping and dining out, but certainly very nice to be home after a whopping 8 days away. The last thing we wanted to do tonight was go out to eat.  As the temp is below 10 degrees F, warm comfort food was in order.  Porcupine Meatballs - a throwback from the 70's.  Yum... I'll name this version after the ski area in the Porcupine Mountains in the Western UP. Porcupine Mountain Meatballs: Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 1/4 c water 1/2...

Our middle child, Rachel, is graduating today (thank you, Lord) and we had an awesome party for her yesterday.  It was great.  The weather all of a sudden changed from cold and rainy mid day to sunny and warm by 4:00 PM when the party started.  We had, just in the nick of time, for the most part, finished the Porch Project and were ready.  Rachel and I prepped most of the food the day before, but we were right down to the wire with getting everything ready for the start of the festivities.  Rachel, Annie, Will and I were all running through the kitchen for the last hour before the party started.   I felt like I was on an episode of 'Chopped'. So, speaking of Food Network TV Shows, the Anabolic Gourmet, challenged me to a 'Meatball Throwdown'; it was heaps of fun and we had a lot of participation from the guests.  I made my  Melt in Your Mouth Meatballs and AG prepped his  Best Ever Meatballs .  I ended up winning by only ten votes b...

My sister Sara and her family have been back home from a year in Senegal for about three months and I hadn't had them over for dinner yet so we decided today, a cold gloomy Sunday, would be a good time to cook a nice meal.  Melt in Your Mouth Meatballs and Super Silky Marinara is what was on the menu, along with Caesar salad, garlic bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert.  When Jeye came into the house he kept saying, "Something smells gooooood!"  He's a sweety.  And Alex was the first one to finish his whole plate.  It must be the Italian in them from their Mama! Oh, and P.S, the Anabolic Gourmet and I will be doing a Meatball 'Throwdown' in the near future.  Bring it on, AG!  AG's 'Best Ever' Spaghetti and Meatballs Ndiaga, Jeye, Sara, Ron, Rachel, Alex, Will Mange! Part 2:  Sandwich Week This is the start of Sandwich Week on FoodieMama.net!  A celebration of the most perfect and versatile food type (in Foodie Mama's h...

Spaghetti and Meatballs are simply one of my favorite foods.  I had blogged previously about my Foodie Mama's Colossal Meatballs and Marinara last month. Meatballs are like pizza and lasagna; there is a myriad of ways to make them and every Italian foodist has their favorite.  But, there is nothing wrong with trying many different varieties.  That's what makes it so fun.  I was experimenting with some different ingredients, such as using ground pork mixed with ground round as well as switching around the spices.  The result was one of the softest, melt in your mouth meatballs I have tasted.  Soooo good.  I also wanted to change up the sauce too.  This version is made with a whole stick of butter.  How can't that be good?  (what would my friend the  Anabolic Gourmet say?  Probably that some fat is good in moderation and the tomatoes bring their 'superfood' qualities....) The texture is super silky and even though it has only...

Spaghetti and meatballs is one of my favorite meals.  I make the marinara sauce several times a month for a quick meal, but the addition of the meatballs makes it more special.  These giant meatballs are made healthy with wheat germ as the filler, but breadcrumbs could easily be substituted.  Poking holes in the meatballs allows the marinara to soak in. Mange! Foodie Mama Marinara Sauce: 4 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil 5 Cloves Garlic, minced 1 T Dried Basil 1 T Dehydrated Onion, minced 2 Large Cans (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes 2 C Water 2 t Salt 1 t Black Pepper Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add garlic and stir until brown, do not burn.  Add basil, onion, salt and pepper and stir.  Add tomatoes and water.  Turn heat to high and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 15 mins.  More salt can be added to taste. Foodie Mama's Colossal (they are huge!) Meatballs: 2 lb Ground Beef (you can also substitute 1# ground pork or ...