LESLIE'S HEALTHY HILLBILLY SPAGHETTI PIE, AND YOUR LAUGH FOR THE DAY!....

(If you haven't watched the video (above) yet, you need to do so before readin' the rest of this post. It'll getcha in the mood for some real good Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie, right quick like! There WILL be a test, ya hear?....)

Just so you know, there have been lots and lots of Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie recipies floating around on the internet over the past couple of years, and I've always wanted to try them out. I mean, C'MON!!! How can I resist anything with the name "Hillbilly" in it? Brings to mind a bunch of guys cooking over a trash can fire, strummin' on banjos and whittlin', no? But after last week's Satan's Meaty Meatloaf extravaganza, well, I figured I should just lighten things up a little around here, so this is MY version, a Healthy Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie. A true ONE PAN wonder, and super easy and fun....gotta give this one a try ; we just love it here in the sticks!

First thing you'll need is a good old fashioned cast iron skillet, if you have one. If not, no sweat--just use a large, overproof skillet, preferably non-stick. Saute some green onions in olive oil.......

Add lean ground turkey (that's the first part of my healthy revision--the original recipe calls for ground beef and sausage) and brown over medium heat.............

Once browned, add crushed tomatoes (I like this brand), spices, chicken broth and salt...........

Add broken spaghetti (healthy revision #2--multi-grain pasta, thin variety), and PUSH spaghetti into liquid. Cover for 8 minutes......

Give the pasta a little stir after 8 minutes ; reduce heat and simmer for about 5 more minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Add Parmesan cheese and cream............

Stir well. Sprinkle top with mozzarella................

Place pan under broiler until spotty brown (keep your eye on your pie!)......let cool for 5 or 10 minutes, and DIG IN..................

MMMMM....I cannot tell you how good this Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie is--guess you're gonna have to take my word for it and make one for yer self! Here's the recipe...Y'all come back now, Ya hear?!

LESLIE'S HEALTHY HILLBILLY SPAGHETTI PIE

Serves 6-8

1 bunch green onions, chopped

2 tblsp. olive oil

1 to 1 and 1 / 2 lbs. ground turkey, lean

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 / 2 tsp. red chili pepper flakes

1 / 2 tsp. dried oregano

1 / 2 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. salt

1 and 1 / 2 cups chicken broth

8 oz. thin spaghetti, broken into 3 inch pieces

 1 / 4 cup heavy cream

1 / 2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese

Saute green onion in olive oil on medium heat until tender, about 3 minutes. Add ground turkey ; brown over medium heat. When almost brown, add garlic and spices. Add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Add broken spaghetti. Push spaghetti into liquid and cover for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, stir pasta. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 5 minutes longer, or until pasta is al dente. Add Parmesan cheese and cream ; stir well. Sprinkle top with mozzarella and place under broiler until spotty brown. Watch carefully. When done, let pie sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then serve.

TODAY I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR....

***Hillbilly Pie--we are STILL eating the leftovers around here!!

***Books--just finished one great read and am starting another today!

***The sweet man that I've known for years, who told me I looked skinny! Who da thunk?

LESLIE'S HOMEMADE GRANOLA, AND TODAY'S RANDOM SMILE-WORTHY MOMENTS!



  (My Dad, The Donald, back in the day, loving every moment with his precious horse)
                                      

"The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness."

-Abraham Maslow

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In my grand attempts lately to live fully, authentically, in the present moment, here are some very random snippets of my glorious November Sunday morning that made me smile. First up, cats who actually know how to WALK ON TWO LEGS (not really, Margaret just wants out for the 10,949th time already this morning, but still, this photo is pretty cool, no?).............

And fat old cats who love lazing about in the early morning sunshine............

(And speaking of critters....check out this new dog bed I found for our mutt Willie Nelson Willard--he actually SLEEPS on it, which makes me feel so much better than thinking of him on our cold and hard wood floors. Also, see this strange little green thing on top? It's name is Greenie, and it's the ONLY toy Willie will play with, ever. Pretty funny, since this one was about 49 cents at Wal Mart, unlike the gazillion expensive toys from Petsmart that he never even sniffs! Pitiful, if you ask me.................)

Walking the dog on brisk and sunny November mornings always makes me happy, big time.....................

My favorite neighbor's house....shhhh, think they're still asleep over there! We're so glad they're home from their super cross country RV trip, safe and sound...........

More cool neighbor's homes.......this yard sign always makes me smile......

Brisk November skies...the light is just so different this time of year......

Back inside, oh how my home office makes me grin.....it's where all the "magic" happens!.............

My office's reading chair.................

Speaking of reading, here's an awesome new Elizabeth Berg novel I've really been enjoying this weekend, entitled Once Upon A Time, There Was You.  She is truly one of my all-time favorite authors...............

I've decorated a lot of my office with my old blue and white porcelain collection that I just couldn't find room for in the rest of the house.......

My great-grandmother's china that has survived so many earthquakes.....

And my most PRIZED possession of all time....seriously, I need to have this framed! Abbie made it for me when she was about 9, after we had a rather heated disagreement about something or other and she stormed off, slamming the door after her. About 10 minutes later, she came back downstairs with this in her hand, full of apologies. So very sweet! I'm smiling just thinking of the memory......

(By the way, if you can't read this, it says, "Bestest mom in the world forever award". Mmmm Hmmm!)

My little ivy topiaries always bring a smile to my face, especially when they're loving the morning sunshine like they are today......I have kept these alive since moving them here by car, from California to Nebraska, then allll the way to New York. Sheesh, that's over 10 years now ...guess I don't have such a black thumb, after all!............

I try to scatter things about our home that make me smile, and the kitchen is no exception. Loving my Williams Sonoma rooster dishtowels....you know me and my chickens!.............

My Uncle Joe gave me this beautiful antique tea cannister when I was out in California earlier this month....I will think of him forever when I see this handy little container......

And finally, I love to collect items from our travels, and this next one is especially dear to me, because my husband surprised me with this silver pineapple during a recent trip to one of our favorite cities, Charleston, South Carolina. Every time I see it, I am taken back to the fun we had there.......did you know that pineapples are the international sign of hospitality?.........

See, I told you this was a random list! I think it's so important to look around our familiar surroundings, each and every day, and really appreciate what, and who, we have in our lives. So, what made YOU smile today?

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Homemade Granola. Hmmmm, why go to all the trouble? Well, for one, it really just tastes better than most of the boxed cereals out there. And, you can totally control what goes into it, adding or deleting ingredients to suit your dietary needs and tastes. Mr. Badass BEGGED me to make this for him again the other day--he says that I used to make it all the time when Little Miss Thing was still living at home. Guess I've just gotten lazy!

I find most of the ingredients for this Granola in bulk, so it's really pretty inexpensive to make. I like to make a nice, big batch of it, sometimes even doubling the recipe, and then freezing it in large freezer bags. To begin, combine old fashioned oats, flaked coconut, pecan halves and raisins in a large bowl (or, you can use any nuts you have on hand, and maybe substitute cranberries or golden raisins. Be creative!)...........

In a saucepan on the stove, combine canola oil, brown sugar, peanut butter (buy your peanut butter up soon up soon--prices are going through the ROOF, I hear!), honey, cinnamon and vanilla over medium heat. Stir until melted and combined............

Pour over oat mixture and stir until well combined...............

Spread mixture out onto 2 rimmed and greased baking sheets......

Bake for 50 minutes, stirring each 20 minutes or so, until lightly golden brown (do not overbrown). Cool pans on wire racks, stirring once to break up clumps........

This granola makes for a wonderful breakfast, as it's full of protein from the peanut butter and pecans. We also love it as a topping for ice cream, or used in yogurt parfaits. Of course, it's best with just plain ol' milk and a spoon!............

Here's the recipe......

LESLIE'S HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Makes about 10 cups

6 cups old fashioned oats

2 cups flaked coconut

2 cups pecan halves

1 cup raisins

1 / 3 cup canola oil

1 / 2 cup brown sugar

1 / 2 cup peanut butter (regular or crunchy)

1 / 2 cup honey

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

Preaheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine oats, coconut, pecan halves and raisins in a large bowl. In a saucepan, combine oil, brown sugar, peanut butter, honey, cinnamon and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Pour over oat mixture and stir well until combined. Spread mixture out evenly onto 2 rimmed and greased baking pans. Bake for 50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool pans on wire racks, stirring once to break up clumps after 10 minutes. Store in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks, or freeze.

TODAY I'M SO THANKFUL FOR.....

***My patient husband, for teaching me how to properly create and use an Excel spreadsheet, about 10 years after the rest of the world has learned. There is NO excuse for me!

***The fun conversation yesterday with our daughter, planning our annual holiday cookie party! She tells me her friends are actually begging her to be invited--such pressure!

***That the suspicious bump on my mom's arm was squamous cell skin cancer, instead of melanoma, which runs heavily in our families. Squamous cell skin cancer is totally treatable. (In fact, I had a melanoma removed from my leg last year, but because of my eagle-eyed dermatologist, we caught it just in time...whew!).

SATAN'S MEATY MEATLOAF!!!

Today's post is going to be a little bit different from the norm. First of all, I don't even have a recipe for my Satan's Meaty Meatloaf, so you're just gonna hafta follow along with my photos and cook with your gut, your intuition. I think that's why I love cooking so much more than baking ; one doesn't need to be so exact! A pinch of this here, a dollop of that there--cooking just feels so much more artistic to me, versus baking, which is truly a science.

The second reason this post is a little funky today? Well, you know how I always count my blessings, what I'm grateful for, at the end of each post?  Today, just for kicks and giggles I'm quoting my favorite poet, EVER, instead. Mary Oliver--I think I have read every single poem she has ever published....they just SPEAK to me~! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do....not much more can be put into words regarding my favorite subject,  gratitude.

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Are you watching your cholesterol? Diligent about your weight? A Vegetarian / Pescatarian / Vegan? Well then you might just want to skip today's post, because, ahem, you'll see! My Satan's meatloaf is for days when you want some real comfort food, and when lean ground turkey just won't do. And just for the record, we normally DON'T eat this way (Mom!)--hey, at least it's not as bad as Paula Deen's deep fried meatloaf, right? I don't even know if she has a deep fried meatloaf, but you know she probably does.........or will.

Okay, to begin, you're going to need about a pound each of ground beef (I just couldn't do the fatty stuff, so I think I used 90% here) and ground Italian sausage--I used the sweet kind..........................

Now pay attention here, because this next part is the KEY to a perfect meatloaf--you do not want to overmix or overhandle your meat! Wait, that sounded dirty--you know what I mean.  Anyways, I usually just "shred" and separate the ground meats with my fingers, then lightly mix them together. Never use a fork, unless you want a tough and dry meatloaf. Next, add your basic meatloaf ingredients. Remember, meatloaf is really supposed to be a way for you to use up what you have on hand. Leftover stale bread? Make your own breadcrumbs and throw 'em in. Oatmeal in the pantry? Use it. I actually use two kinds of breadcrumbs--the "regular" kind, plus a little Panko. Just keeps things interesting.

So my meatloaf mixture consists of (aproximately) 2 eggs, beaten, about 1 cup of breadcrumbs (more if needed) and a cup of old fashioned oats, 2 or 3 tablespoons of Worchestershire, chopped onion (you can saute the onion first, if you desire), salt, pepper, a little oregano and a little basil. Be creative! Sometimes I've used red chili pepper flakes and / or garlic powder............................

You can also use any leftover vegetables you might have on hand, like chopped bell peppers or even carrots. Next, take off your wedding rings and dig in with the best kitchen tool in the world, your HANDS! Once everything is well combined, form into one or two loaves, and place on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet.

I made up my own glaze for the top of the meatloaf.....I combine a little brown sugar, a little Dijon mustard (regular mustard works well too) and about a teaspoon of Worchestershire. Combine and spoon over top of loaf....................

Now here's my husband's favorite part, and where Satan himself comes to visit. Take about 8 or 9 strips of BACON, that's right, I said BACON, and lay them across the top of your beautiful loaf, like so (you don't even have to cook the bacon first--bonus!)................

You will not believe the extra flavor the bacon gives your meatloaf...all of that bacon-ey goodness just oozes down into your precious loaf of meat while cooking.....so lip smackin' delish! So then you'll want to cook your meatloaf for about an hour at 350 degrees. After that, remove from oven and check inside the middle of the meatloaf for doneness...there should be no pink remaining. Let sit, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, then slice and serve to some very hungry and happy eaters............

Oh yes, I don't want to forget to remind you that meatloaf makes for the BEST sandwiches...I grew up eating sliced meatloaf on white bread, with ketchup.......amazing. Don't do the white bread anymore, but I still adore a good whole grain, open-faced meatloaf sandwhich, anyday! Enjoy!

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This poem by Mary Oliver perfectly sums up my feelings on prayer and gratitude and living in the moment.....................

"I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?"

Mary Oliver

(from "The Summer Day")

 

BOO! SOME TREATS (NEVER TRICKS!) FOR YOU, MY SWEETS........

........and if you're reading my sweet little blog, well, I really do LOVE YOU! I hope you know that. Here's to a wicked (that's how they say "super", here in the Northeast) fun Halloween, full of candy and costumes and sweet little kids knocking on your door!

I have always loved Halloween--just ask my Mom. But here's the thing--I've always loved the innocent, childlike side of Halloween, like this..............

And I've never, ever liked the gory, scary side of the day--you know, like this.....

I mean SHEESH, isn't this world scary enough, as it is?

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Here's a treat for you....I mean to print this out and tack it to my bulletin board, STAT--a friend sent this to me on Facebook recently.............

(I blew that one up extra large, just for you, in case you are as blind as I am. And just so you know, I LOVE my blindness, because it's all part of my imperfect self!).

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Boo! One more treat for you......and I just made this recipe up, all by myself! So, what do you do with your pumpkin seeds every year, after you've carved your pumpkin?..............

Me, I've always liked them tossed with a little bit of oil, then sprinkled with some salt and maybe garlic powder, then roasted. So easy, and Little Miss Thing could always plan on finding a little bag of them in her lunchbox on Halloween day, each and every year.

This year, I decided that I wanted them sweet, instead of savory, so I made up this little recipe, but I didn't write anything down, so I'm going to guess-timate with amounts. It seems that everything I love this time of year has some of this stuff in it, so I started here.......

If you don't have pumpkin pie spice (for SHAME!), you could always make your own with cinnamon, cloves and some allspice. Anyways, I mixed about a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice with about 4 tablespoons of white sugar and about a half a stick of melted butter, then tossed in all of my pumpkin seeds that had been washed and dried, about 2 and 1 / 2 cups. Spread them on a parchment lined (I used a silicone liner) baking sheet....................

Roast for about 45 minutes to an hour in a 300 degree oven (I stirred mine every 20 minutes), or until golden brown and crunchy. Let cool on baking sheet--they will stick together a little bit because of the sugar, but are easy to break apart with a spatula.

I tell you what, these came out so delicious--I think I've created a new Halloween tradition in our home! I hope you like them as much as we do...........

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO YOU, DEAR FRIEND!

TODAY I'M SO THANKFUL FOR......

***Pumpkin Pie Spice!

***My wonderful friends....I don't know what I'd do without you!

***Flannel sheets for our ccccooold nights lately! I've been so snuggly and warm, it's been hard to get out of bed in the mornings......