Cornbread

Colleen came for supper last night. I hadn't realized that she loves cornbread! When Conni was here, he really liked it too. Show your family and friends some love, and make cornbread for them!

Cornbread

Turn the oven on to 375 degrees. If you are going to bake this in a cast iron frying pan, put 1 tablespoon butter in the pan, put the pan in the oven for the butter to melt and for the pan to get hot.

1 cup cornmeal (don't use a cornmeal mix, Dad and A could have an allergic reaction!)
1 and 1/2 cup self-rising flour
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (not too much, cornbread is not supposed to be sweet!)

Stir these together in a bowl, then add the wet ingredients...
2 eggs
1/4 cup veggie oil (if you have corn oil, use that)
1 cup buttermilk

Mix well, but do not over stir. If you are using the cast iron skillet, carefully remove it from the oven, swirl the butter around the pan to coat the bottom and sides, then add the batter. If you do not have a cast iron skillet, get one. But until then, use a greased cake pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until top is a nice golden color. Serve with butter. If you baked it in a cake pan, you can flip it out onto a plate for serving. If you used a cast iron skillet, put a hot pad on the table and serve it straight out of the pan.

Penne Pasta with Sausage and Tomato in Cream Sauce

This is another recipe from the paper - proof that I love my kids, and proof that I love quick and easy-to-prepare recipes! Otherwise known as Addicting Pasta!

Penne Pasta with Sausage and Tomato in Cream Sauce

1 to 1 and 1/2 pounds Italian sausage
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 medium to large onion
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 can Rotel tomatoes
2 cups whipping cream
1 pound penne pasta

First thing, start a pot of water to boil for the pasta(add a little salt to the water). Brown sausage in a large skillet. If your sausage in in casings, remove the casings first. While sausage is browning, chop onion and garlic, add to pan. Is the water boiling? Add the pasta to the water and stir. When sausage is brown, and onions are tender, sprinkle with red pepper flakes and flour. Stir to combine. Add tomatoes and cream, simmer till mixture thickens slightly. Drain the pasta, serve sauce over penne and put the sprinkle cheese on the table. This is nice served with a salad or peas. Now, don't tell me you don't have time for this!
You can add two cans of tomatoes, but if you do I would only use one can of Rotel. You can use mild or spicy sausage, but I don't recommend it with sweet Italian sausage. You can cut back a little on the cream, and put it in your coffee in the morning!

Root Beer Sloppy Joes

This recipe was printed in the AJC, adapted from 'The Kentucky Fresh Cookbook'. You'll be surprised to know that I make it as published! It is quick recipe, serve with slaw and french fries for an easy dinner.

1 pound ground beef
1 medium finely chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 dry mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup root beer or other dark soda

Brown hamburger meat in large skillet until no longer pink. Drain fat off of meat. Stir in onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in seasonings, ketchup, and root beer. Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve on sandwich buns with pickles, hot sauce, and shredded cheese.