Salisbury Meatballs and Gravy

This a savory twist to meatballs that is perfect for a quick family dinner. We served it on top of mashed potatoes and along with roasted carrots.

You will need:

• 1.5 lb ground beef
• 1/2 c breadcrumbs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 c + 1 T ketchup, divided
• 1/4 c Dijon mustard
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 T Worcestershire sauce, divided
• 3 t dried parsley, divided
• 1 t salt
• 1 t ground pepper
• 1 t onion powder
• 1/2 t dried basil
• 2 T unsalted butter
• 1 c beef stock
• 2 T cornstarch

Then you will…

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with the breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, mustard, 1/2 of the onion, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons of the parsley, salt, pepper, onion powder, and basil.
3. Form the mixture into inch-sized meatballs.
4. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Add the meatballs (in batches if needed). Brown on all sides until cooked through.
6. Remove the meatballs and transfer them to a baking dish in the warmed oven. Cover the dish.
7. In the skillet, melt the butter.
8. Add the remaining onion and saute until they are softened and starting to brown.
9. In a small bowl, whisk together the beef stock and cornstarch.
10. Stir the stock mixture into the skillet.
11. Mix in the remaining ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and parsley.
12. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the sauce starts to the thicken.
13. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
14. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and serve hot.

Fresh Apple Cake

The fall is a wonderful time for baking, especially with apples. We had a lazy Sunday, so I made this for an afternoon treat. It would also be yummy with a cup of tea or coffee.

You will need:

• 2 eggs, lightly whisked
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1/2 c apple butter (substitute brown sugar if needed)
• 1 c sugar
• 1 t vanilla
• 1/2 c unsalted butter, melted
• 3 green apples, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t salt
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t nutmeg
• 1/2 t ginger
• 1/4 t cloves
• 2 c flour
• Extra raw sugar to sprinkle on top

Then you will…

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×9 baking dish with aluminum foil and lightly grease.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugars, apple butter (if using), vanilla and butter.
3. Stir in the apples.
4. Mix in the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.
5. Mix in the flour.
6. Spread in the prepared baking dish. Top with the extra raw sugar.
7. Bake 45-60 minutes or until set in the middle and golden on top.
8. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Thyme and Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potato

This simple side dish comes has a lot of flavor thanks to lots of herbs and the deliciousness of roasting vegetables in the oven.

You will need:

• 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, quartered and cut into 0.5-inch slices
• 3 T olive oil
• 2 T fresh thyme, de-stemmed
• 2 T fresh rosemary, de-stemmed and roughly chopped
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/2 t crushed red chili flakes
• 1/4 t ground mustard powder
• 1/4 t salt

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
2. Mix together all of the ingredients.
3. Spread out in a 9×13 baking dish.
4. Bake for 20 minutes. Stir and return to the oven.
5. Bake for another 15 minutes. Stir and return to the oven.
6. Bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir. The potatoes should be softened and lightly caramelized.