Swedish Meatballs (with Gluten Free Options)

Recently we have been butchering our own hogs and so I've had ground pork on hand.  Right now it's quite a bit cheaper than ground beef so I am looking stretch the beef a little.  Nothing beats homemade meatballs smothered in a creamy gravy sauce.  It's even better if you make your own broth!

I cook the onions to mellow out their flavor and lose the crunch.  For me, a raw onion can ruin a dish in a hurry.  While you are at it, double or trip the batch and roll up some extra meatballs.  Throw them in the freezer for another time. 

Swedish Meatballs (with Gluten Free Options)                         Printable Recipe

Makes 18 meatballs

1-1/2 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)

1/2 small onion, grated

3/4 pound ground beef

3/4 pound ground pork

1/2 cup quinoa flakes

1 egg

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice (or 5 whole allspice)

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all purpose flour (or a gluten free flour of your choice)

3-1/2 cups beef broth (approx 2 cans or use homemade beef broth)

1/2 cup sour cream

salt and pepper to taste

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #182

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #181

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #180

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #179

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Crock Pot Chipotle Beef Barbacoa

I don't use my crock pot a lot (personal preference) but for a roasting meat it's a good choice.  Even the toughest meats will be tender and juicy after the hours spent cooking.  This recipe has just a little kick that says "Hello." in a soft voice.  If you want it louder or to give a shout add more chipotles.  I like it nice and easy so I can taste all of the flavors I've stuffed into my tortilla shell.

Whether you like crispy or soft, flour or corn, any tortilla shell will work well with this meal.  I'll tell you below which toppings  I used but feel free to change the up to suit your taste!

Next time I make this beef recipe I will double or triple it and have extra for the freezer! I could also use a pork roast and it would be awesome as well.  

Crock Pot Chipotle Beef Barbacoa                                                      Printable Recipe

1 round steak (approx 2 pounds)

salt

olive oil

1 chipotle in adobo sauce

1/2 Tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 cup water

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

Top 10 Recipes of 2015

2015 has drawn to its end and it's always fun to look back and see some of the fan favorites.  Most of them are from this year but a few from last year snuck in. 

I hope you enjoy the look back with me. Click on the title to see the recipe or click on the "pin it" link to go right to Pinterest to re-pin for later!

Foodie Friends Friday

We are taking a week off from the Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!!

Please stop by and visit Our Co-Hosts!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #178

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Giveaway - An Invitation for Two to the Iowa Taste of Elegance from the Iowa Pork Producers

This year marks the 30th year of the Taste of Elegance competition.  It is hosted by the Iowa Pork Producers Association to celebrate pork and find Iowa’s Best Pork Entrée in fine dining.

What is the Taste of Elegance?  It is a fun competition between 12 chefs. They cook their best pork dishes to compete for awards starting at $1,000 and yearly bragging rights to being the best pork chef in Iowa. The top winner also wins a trip to the National Pork Summit in California.   

20+ Awesome Cookie Swap Recipes from Iowa Bloggers

Mixers are mixing and ovens are heating up this holiday season.  If you are looking for some great recipes for your cookie swap or to keep for yourself, you've come to the right place. 

I am showcasing recipes from my fellow Iowa bloggers.  There is certainly something here for everyone!

Visit their pages for more yummies and crafts!

Make the best of everything

The Gingered Whisk

Ally's Sweet and Savory Eats

Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids

Been THERE, Baked THAT

Sawdust and Embryos

Simplify, Live, Love

donnahup.com

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #177

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Unstuffed Pepper Soup

If you saw my Unstuffed Green Peppers recipe you learned that I prefer my green peppers chopped up rather than used as cups.  One day here recently I thought that I would try it with a bit more liquid and made it in a soup.  It's a nice change up from the casserole style meal.

The canned tomatoes and sauce can be salty it was good to use my homemade broth where I can control the salt.  You can use water (which I have done in a pinch and it is still delicious) or use a lower sodium broth.

After eating it as a meal and making lunch portions with what was left there weren't any for the freezer.  Next time I will double the recipe and put some away for quick meals. Another afterthought I had was to use the crock pot next time.  I'll work on that and update this when I do!

Unstuffed Pepper Soup                                                                          Printable Recipe

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

2/3 chopped green peppers

2/3 cup chopped onion

28 ounce can diced tomatoes

8 ounce can tomato sauce

1-1/2 Tablespoons Worcestershire

1-2 cups beef broth (or water)

1/2 cup instant brown rice (I used Uncle Ben's)

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #176

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

2015 Holiday Gift Guide - 15 Must-Have Items for Your Kitchen

Don't know what to put on your wish list?  I'll show you 15 items I have in my kitchen that I just couldn't live without.  Not everything here is exactly what I own but if I couldn't find it I found you something comparable. 

Show your friends and family these items or buy them for yourself.  No one said you couldn't buy your own gifts!

Crock Pot Chicken Chili with Rice

In October I met up with 9 other bloggers to learn about corn.  I am familiar with sweet corn and use it in many of our dishes.  I love the crunch and sweetness it adds.  It is also a good source of fiber, antioxidants and Vitamin Bs.

 I prefer it fresh but when I can't have it fresh I use what I have that I froze during the summer months. You can read all about how I preserve it here.  Want to know more about our Iowa Corn Quest?  This link will show you more! #iacornquest

Crock Pot Chicken Chili with Rice                                                       Printable Recipe

1-1/2 pounds chicken tenders*

1/2 small onion, diced

15 ounce can black beans, drained (not rinsed)

14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes (not drained)

1 cup whole corn, drained if needed (thawed if frozen)

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

2-4 dashes cayenne pepper

salt (to taste)

2 cups cooked brown rice

sour cream

shredded Mexican blend cheese

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #175

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

20+ Leftover Turkey Recipes

If your family is anything like my family there is always leftover turkey after the big Thanksgiving meal.   Every year it seems that it is the same ol' sandwiches or heated up leftovers. This year let's change up the sandwiches and meals!

I called out to the food blogging community and found many fantastic tasty ideas to use up  your turkey.  Some of them are chicken recipes but leftover turkey will do just fine.  Same goes for the turkey ones,  you can absolutely use leftover chicken.  

Bon appétit!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #174

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars

One day I had a craving for brownies but then I had a thought that chocolate chips cookies sounded good too.  Then I wondered if I could combine them both in one recipe.  I took my great grandma's Congo Squares recipe and my Coffee Cream Brownie recipe and got to stirring.  The end result was better than I imagined it would be so I had to take my few pieces out of the pan and send the rest with my husband to work. He said they didn't last long before they were all gone and the plate was empty. 

Soft and chewy with a little bit of crunch from the nuts and the cookie bar dough on top makes this a taste for the senses! 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars                                                    Printable Recipe

Cookie Layer:

2-3/4 cups flour

2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup shortening

2-1/2 cups light brown sugar

3 eggs

1 cup nuts, coconut and/or chocolate chips

Brownie Layer:

1/2 cup butter, cut up

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate broken into pieces.

3 eggs

1-1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup flour 

3 Tablespoons finely chopped nuts