Grandma Ruth’s (my Mom’s) Cabbage Rolls

My Mom makes her mom’s cabbage rolls; here’s her delicious recipe!
“Large head of cabbage…freeze for a week.
Thaw completely and cut out core.  The leaves will peel easily and pliable.
If they are too large I cut them in 2 pieces.  Cut out a V to remove the spine.
Place the outside green leaves on the bottom of [...]

Grandma’s Stuffed Peppers

This is one of those evolving family recipes that has no written recipe — it is one that we just watch and learn, and then “do”, each with our own twist. My grandmother, who was of Hungarian/German descent made them, so my mother made them, and now I make them.  Of course, I don’t use [...]

Bolognese Style Meat Sauce (I even like it)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, minced
1 carrot, peeled and minced
1 celery stalk, minced
1/4 cup minced bacon
1/2 pound lean ground pork
1/2 pound lean ground beef (you can use all beef)
3/4 cup dry wine (red or white will do)
1 28-ounce can of plum tomatoes, drained, then scrunched with your fingers
1 cup chicken stock
salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 [...]

Skillet “Stroganoff”

Not really Stroganoff, but hey, that’s what the original recipe in the Working Woman’s book was called! Doesn’t every woman work? Some just get paid for it… My variations are in red.

1 medium onion, finely chopped
4oz can of mushrooms (2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (2 cloves garlic, minced)
1 lb lean ground beef
1 [...]

Chinese Style Ground Beef and Peas

As I’ve mentioned, I do not like ground beef, but I actually don’t mind this for dinner occasionally! My kids like it a lot.

1 pound (454 grams) lean or extra lean ground beef
2 Tablespoons dark soy sauce
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons non-GMO vegetable oil
1 medium onion, minced
10 ounces frozen green [...]

Best Meatloaf

I don’t like ground beef, and I don’t like meatloaf.  That being said, this meatloaf recipe by Martha Stewart’s mother, Mrs. Kostyra is delicious and I actually enjoy eating it!

Sloppy Joes (with NO ketchup!)

1 1/4 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 x 14.5 ounce can tomato puree (not tomato paste! sometimes labelled “ground tomatoes”)
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 finely chopped jalapeño pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 + 1/2 cups water

In a large skillet over [...]