MINI MEATBALL SANDWICHES

They were demo these at Sam's Club also the other day and they are so good and very easy and fast to make.

1 Jar (32)oz. Classico Tomato and Basil Sauce
2 Lbs. Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs or around 52 mini meatballs
3 French Baguettes
15 Mozzarelia Cheese slices Or can use shredded mozzarelia cheese

In a crockpot or a large pot on the stove on medium heat. combine the tomato and basil sauce with the meatballs. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat and cook for 18-20 minutes (this is in the crockpot)stirring occasionally until meatballs are heated through(will not take this long if fixing them on the stove). Cut baguettes into 4 inch segments and then again lenghthwise. In other words just split them but don't cut them all the way into. Place 3 meatballs in each sandwich. Add cheese and some of the sauce. Or you can use the football shaped dinner rolls found at most stores that are already made and split them and put 3 meatballs on the bottom part and then some cheese on top of the meatballs and then put the other piece of bread on and I like to sort of smash them down. They are so good.

SWEET MEATBALLS

We were at Sam's Club the other day and they were demo these and they are so good and so simple to make.

11/2 Cup Smucker's Strawberry Jam
1 Cup Barbecue Sauce. I think they used Jack Daniel's
2 Lbs. Case Di Bertacchi Meat Balls

In a crockpot combine the srawberry jam and barbecue sauce with the fully cooked meat balls. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook 18-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until meatballs are heated through. I make mine with grape jelly but I like the taste of this better.

Also have another recipe I am putting on of Mini Meatball Sandwiches and we loved these.

CUCUMBER SANDWICHES

These may not sound very good but are. I like to make them witht the long english cucumbers that you can find now that it is winter. But of course they are best with home grown cukes in the summer.

1 Loaf White or Wheat Bread
3 oz. Cream Cheese
2 Teaspoons Mayonnaise not Miracle Whip
1 Teaspoon Minced Fresh Garlic
2 Teaspoons Dry Italian Seasoning
Salt and Pepper

In a food processor or medium bowl add the cream cheese, mayo and garlic, italian seasoning, salt and pepper and mix or blend  until they are all blended good. Spread on 4 pieces of bread. Take and wash cucumbers good and dry. You can either peel or not peel them. Slice thin and put over top the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put the other piece of bread on top and then you can cut the crust off the bread and then cut into 4 pieces. Very good.

ORANGE CAKE

Did you buy a lot of oranges for Christmas and have got tired of eating them. Then try this orange cake recipe and use up some of them for the juice it calls for and for the zest. Never have used zest before. Just take a orange and wash good and then take a grader with the small holes and run your orange up and down it. It may take two oranges or more to get the zest this recipe calls for. Just don't go down to the white part of the orange as it will make it bitter. Do it lightly.

1 (18 oz) Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 (3 oz) Box Instant Lemon Pudding Mix
3/4 Cup Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice 
1/2Cup Canola Oil
4 Eggs
1 Teaspoon Orange Zest
1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

Spray and flour a 10 inch bundt pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.In a medium bowl combine cake mix, pudding mix, orange juice, oil, eggs and citrus zests. Beat on low until blended. Scrape bowl,and beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Pour into prepared bundt pan. Bake 50-60 minutes (until set.) Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto cake plate and cool completely.

Glaze:

1/3 Cup Orange Juice
2/3 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Butter or Marg.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook the orange juice, sugar and butter or marg. for two minutes. Drizzle over cooled cake. Serve cake with fresh whipped cream and canned peaches.

BEST FRYS TO BUY

Most all southern people love potatoes in any fashion or form. Fried is our best way of fixing them. I can say one thing I have a son-in-law that can fix some of the best fried potatoes you can put in your mouth and I have tried to copy him but just can't get them to come out tasting like his. lol.
 He cuts them paper thin and then takes a small pancake turner and flips them and don't use a lid on his when frying.
 Oh well, I have done the same thing but they never taste like his and he says that the Idho in the string bag is the only kind to buy. Well, me all I have is ole garden potatoes that have been planted in a garden just like the baged ones but they still don't taste like his. lol.
Now when it comes to french frys, I have tried all kinds of brands with different kinds of oil to fry them in. I have tried frying them in a fry daddy and a kettle on the stove but trust me a kettle will work just as good as a fry daddy but just watch the grease and not let it get to hot or it will explode without nothing in it.
And always, do not ever, leave it on the burner after you take the frys out as it is still hot, always, scoot it off the burner.
Anyway back to the frys. I have tried the expensive ones .The store brand ones and home frys and the best ones I have found is the Walmart brand , Great Value.
They get crisp and are not soggy and don't turn dark brown unless you let them fry to long. I just love them. I am not trying to promote them but they are just so good.
One fry leads to another and before you know it, you may have ate 15. lol. or more. lol.
 I use Canola Oil to fry mine in. Some frys get to crisp and all you have is like a shell to eat. Some get to extra crispy.
But the Great Value frys will get done on the inside and crisp on the out. Just don't have the oil to hot.
 If you use gas then keep it at a lower temp. I am just now learning how to use gas. I love it way better than electric. But watch out or you will sure have some burned hands grabbing hold of the handles on the pots and skillets without a pot holder.
Oh and if you like baked potatoes, just fix them in the oven and not try to microwave them. I like mine in the oven the best. I was trying to fix one for my grandaughter and put it on 10 minutes and had it wrapped in a wet paper towel. I left it in the oven after the timer went off as I was doing something else and when I got it out it was hard as a rock and my grandaughter said what is wrong with you mamaw can't you cook no more. That from a little one is sure embarrassing. lol. So I had to fix her another one and it was not done enough. So I will just stick to my ole time way.
 Everybody loves my baked potatoes. But most people when putting the sour cream in just don't put enough and sure don't put enough butter. lol. We forget about the calories when eating them around here. To me nothing makes a baked potato no better than frying up some sliced green peppers and onions to put on top or use on the side with a hot baked potato and of course we have to have that shredded cheese all over the top..........

MEXICAN CHORIZO SAUSAGE

If you love hot food then this recipe is for you. It is hot. The mexican chorizo sausage is found at Walmart back where the mexican cheese dip is near the deli. Most time it is in one long roll.

2 Mexican Chorizo Sausages
1/2 Cup Onion, chopped finely
1/2 Cup Red Chili Sauce
2 Eggs, scrambled

In a medium skillet put the sausage in after you have removed it from the casing. Crumble it. Then add the onon and cook, stirring frequently for 3 to 4 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through but not dry. Serve with desired amount of warm chili sauce on top. This is good to eat with scrambled eggs.

SOUTHWESTERN CROCKPOT CHICKEN

1 Pack Taco Seasoning
3 Chicken Breasts
1 Can of Mild Rotel
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Water

Take the pack of taco seasoning and sprinkle it on the bottom of the crockpot. Wash chicken breasts good.Place them on top of the seasoning mix. Pour the can of rotel over the top of the chicken breasts and then add the olive oil  and water over the top. Do no stir. Cook on low for 4 hours and take out. Can shred this and use on tacos or use as a main dish.