Hi everyone, Cello here.  Just about anyone who talks to me for any length of time knows I love to bake and cook. I also enjoy sharing recipes and helping people learn, so I've created this thread for just that purpose! 

The first recipe I have to share is my personal spaghetti sauce recipe. 

Spaghetti Sauce


5 lb. hamburger (I used 90/10) – I've also used ground turkey, and someone else used a mix of ground venison and beef
5 cans mushrooms (keep the juice)
5 cans diced tomatoes
5 cans tomato paste
5 packages Spaghetti sauce mix
1 bottle red wine
6 cups of water
Italian seasoning
Garlic
Onion powder

Brown the beef, drain off the fat.  Dump all the various cans in with the beef, add all the liquids and sauce mix, and add spices to taste.  I simmered it for about 3 hours.

And today I have another yummy meal recipe for you.  I've made this several times, with a couple of variations.  I've made it with cut up chicken breasts, I've let the chicken marinate and grill it, and I've also thrown everything into the slow cooker and let it do its thing.  This goes really well with rice, potatoes, or just about any kind of side.  Easy and versatile.

Oregano-Lemon Chicken
6 Servings
Ingredients
6 chicken thighs
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions

Place the chicken in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Combine the lemon juice, honey, oil, garlic and oregano; pour over chicken.

Bake, uncovered at 375 degrees F for 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees F and chicken juices run clear, basting occasionally with pan juices.

Impossible Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 15-oz can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup half and half (or evaporated milk)
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper or silicone liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice
In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and half and half until well combined. Add in dry ingredients and whisk until no streaks of flour remain and batter is smooth.
Fill each muffin cup with approximately 1/3 cup of batter.
Bake for 20 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan. They will sink as they cool.
Chill cupcakes before serving. Top with whipped cream.
Makes 12


nom nom nom these are the cupcakes i made.. I used molasses brown sugar though and it tasted great.

Home made Teriyaki sauce (Teriyaki beef/chicken/spam/anything)

1 c sugar
1 c soy sauce
1 c water
1/2 tsp garlic
1/2 tsp ginger
splash of sesame seed oil

Cook your favorite meat in it or top your rice! It's amazing and really easy and a staple in my house!

One Pan Balsamic Chicken

1 1/4 lbs chicken tenders (raw, not breaded - split boneless skinless breasts would work as well)
8 oz sliced mushrooms
12 oz fresh green beans
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 c Italian dressing
2 tbsp honey
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Cook mushrooms in pan, then add green beans and cook until mostly tender.  Remove from pan and cook chicken tenders/breasts until cooked through.  Remove chicken from pan and combine dressing, honey, and vinegar.  Bring to boil and stir constantly until reduced and thickened.  Add mushrooms, green beans, and chicken, as well as tomatoes.  Toss in sauce until all are thoroughly coated.  Serve immediately.

FYI: I suggest doubling the amounts for the sauce.  It takes a bit longer to reduce, but the extra is good drizzled over everything. :)

I love all the recipes being shared so far, keep them coming!

Today, I have a youtube channel for you.  I've learned a lot from this guy.  What I love about his channel is that he talks you through his recipes.  He has everything from appetizers to desserts and even beverages.  He also has a blog where he links the recipe ingredients for easier browsing.  Enjoy!

Food Wishes

I'm thinking of calling this little invention of mine Taco Chicken.

1 pound chicken, cut into strips.
1 cup flour mixed with 1/4 cup taco seasoning (I use http://allrecipes.com/recipe/46653/taco-seasoning-i/ without the salt)
1 egg beaten together with 1/4 cup lime juice
2 cups crushed up tortilla chips

Coat the chicken first in the flour mix, then the egg mix, then the tortilla chip crumbs.  Let rest for about 15 minutes, and preheat your oven to 425.  Lay out on a baking tray with foil or parchment paper, and bake for 30 minutes, turning them halfway through.

Most of my actual cookings I don't have directions for it so I am no help there. My family is big on just throwing things in until it tastes good!

However, I do love to try recipes from this youtuber, Laura Vitale.

My youngest daughter's favourite meal is one that I invented back when it was just me and her and I had no job, so I had to get creative, throwing together anything that was healthy and making it taste good. Over a decade later, she still loves it and I cooked it for her birthday, so there's the sentimental side to it too. Warning: it's a bit weird, but the combination of flavours works well.

Anyway, it has no name, so I'll call it Eris' Special.

Fillet of white fish (I used to use pollock because it's VERY cheap, but now I use haddock)
Noodles
Brussels sprouts
nutmeg
Olive oil
Garlic (finely chopped)
White wine vinegar (a little)
Oregano
Salt and pepper
Soy sauce

Mix garlic, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl, then coat fish with the mixture, stick in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 180 degrees (Celcius, not your weird antiquated fahrenheit system!)
Peel sprouts, throw in some salt and nutmeg steam for 15-20 minutes, or boil for a similar amount of time.
Cook noodles in the usual way.
Serve with generous helpings of soy sauce…that's it. Blindingly simple! Something about the bitterness of the other flavours makes the sprouts taste sweeter…can't explain it fully, but it just does.

Daniel, that does not sound weird at all. That sounds so very delicious!