Good Cooking!

A few weeks ago my friend Michelle invited us to dinner, Michelle reminds me of my dear friend Tracey over at In Word Adoring, who can serve you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and it will taste like a fancy gourmet meal! They both have the knack to make you feel right at home and give you a terrific meal. Friends are a real treasure.

Michelle made this wonderful sauce for the spaghetti that was so good, I don't think I will be buying jar sauce again. I made the sauce last night, and it was a hit, Michelle was kind enough to share the recipe, try it - you will love it! It really is the perfect sauce. The second recipe is the appetizer she served, even Eric, my "I don't eat cheese" man enjoyed it.

The Perfect Tomato Sauce
From The Pampered Chef - Food, Family and Friends Cookbook, 1995

1 medium onion, chopped
5 -6 garlic cloves, mashed
2 – 3 teaspoons olive oil

1 can (28 oz.) Diced Italian tomatoes, with juice
1 can (28oz.) Crushed Italian tomatoes

1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste*

1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano

Salt to taste

Finely chop onion and mash garlic cloves. Combine onion, garlic and olive oil in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, 6 to 8 minutes or until onions are translucent.

Add both cans of tomatoes, stirring to mix all together. Add tomato paste. (* Michelle uses a whisk to get the paste to mix in with the rest of the sauce, and usually does not use the entire 6 oz. – about half is all you really need to thicken the sauce – you can freeze the other half.)

Add basil and oregano. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and cook 45 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt to taste. Serve with pasta.

This make a larger about of sauce so you can freeze half for later.


Mr. Walsh's Favorite Appetizer Dip

The appetizer recipe was easy - it's just 3 ingredients:

Jimmy Dean sausage (in the round plastic, I used regular, but they do have spicy)

8 oz. cream cheese

1 jar salsa (I used Tostidos mild chunky salsa)

Brown the sausage. When it is fully cooked, add the cream cheese and stir until it's all melted. Add the salsa and stir to mix. Serve warm with Tostidos Gold chips - they are sturdy enough to hold the dip.

Michelle's served grilled chicken breast, with the spaghetti and sauce. Last night I had broiled chicken breast with mine. You have got to try these! Thanks again Michelle!