BBQ Hot Dogs

This recipe is not exotic nor is it necessarily healthy, but for me it is comfort food.  It is one of those dishes that reminds me of home and family. 

This is easy to mix up and doesn't take a lot of unique ingredients.   I was salivating with anticipation when I made this.  I had been thinking about fixing this all day and couldn't wait to get my fork into it (okay, I didn't wait, I had to sample it while it was simmering).  These BBQ dogs make a quick supper to warm you up on a chilly evening.

I don't know where the recipe originated, it was something that we had at home when I was growing up.   Give it a try, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

We always had it with mashed potatoes and who am I to mess with tradition!  I will admit that I cheated and used the Bob Evans microwaveable mashed potatoes rather than making them the old fashioned way.




BBQ Hot Dogs

Ingredients:

1 package of hot dogs, your normal brand will do
1 medium onion, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
3/4 cup catsup
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons margarine
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons prepared mustard
1 Tablespoon Worchestershire Sauce

Directions:

Slash hot dogs, but not all the way through.
Brown the hot dogs in a large skillet.  I typically add a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Simmer 15 minutes until everything is heated through.

Serve with a side of mashed potatoes and a green vegetable.


....and that's What's Cooking at Cathy's ~ Enjoy!

Low Carb Philly Cheese Steak

Who likes Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches?  I do!  But I also like quick and easy meals after work.  I'll let you in on my little secret to a quick and easy plate of goodness! And to keep it low carb, I'm fine with skipping the bread.  But if you just gotta have some bread, then Pinterest is your friend for finding a low carb bread recipe!

 Low Carb Philly Cheese Steak 

Servings 2

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon butter
1/4 cup sliced onion
1 green bell pepper sliced
1/2 pound shaved deli roast beef
3/4 cups beef broth
1/4 teaspoon xanthum gum
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 slices provolone cheese

Directions:

In a medium skillet, melt the butter and add the sliced onion and green bell pepper slices.

Saute until the onions are transparent.

Meanwhile, slice the deli beef into strips.
Add the sliced beef to the pan along with the beef broth, xanthum gum.  Continue to stir and saute until the meat is heated through and the broth thickens into a gravy.

Add the 4 slices of provolone cheese on top and let it melt.

Slide half of it onto your plate and dig in!

....and that's What's Cooking at Cathy's ~ Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 2.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 368
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19 g	29 %
Saturated Fat 12 g	58 %
Monounsaturated Fat 4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 99 mg	33 %
Sodium 990 mg	41 %
Potassium 653 mg	19 %
Total Carbohydrate 9 g	3 %
Dietary Fiber 2 g	9 %
Sugars 3 g
Protein 40 g	79 %
Vitamin A	15 %
Vitamin C	86 %
Calcium	45 %
Iron	12 %

Tasty Meatballs

Mama Mia!

That is what you will be saying when you make these for the first time.

If you are looking for a good incredible meatball recipe to try, buckle up and give this one a test drive.

I've always been a meat sauce kinda of gal.  Why?  I can't say really, other that we always had spaghetti and meat sauce when I was growing up.  I've always thought making meatballs was way too much trouble.  Yup, you can see, that I am lazy!  It's easier to brown up the meat and add the sauce.

I know you've all heard the saying "try it, you might like it".  You will be delighted to find that these meatballs really aren't too much work  (okay, maybe a little messy) but they are so worth it and I bet you will agree that they are slap yourself silly awesome!

This recipe is an adaptation of one I had Pinned from Kaye's Low Carb Lifestyle.  Thanks for the inspiration!

Ham Loaf

I've been hamming it up!  Today was all about cooking with ham!

I also made Ham Salad, which will be in a future post, as a result of my "free" Thanksgiving 6 pound, fully cooked ham, that I've had stashed away in the freezer.

I doubled the recipe with the intent of having one for quick suppers during the upcoming week and the second to seal with my Foodsaver and freeze for a later time when I'm not in the mood or just too busy to cook. Believe it or not, that does happen!

I can only recall having Ham Loaf a few times growing up.  I guess because ham leftovers were few and far between at our house.  When we were lucky enough to have one, the entire family devoured it.
We devoured at our house growing up.  Mealtime was focused on eating and not leisurely dining with conversation as there was often work yet to be done before dark.  While this may be foreign to many folks, it is the way I grew up.

I've altered the recipe for the Ham Loaf to fit my low carb way of eating, but I've included the original ingredients beside each item for those of you who want to make the original version.

I just pulled this out of the oven and had to snitch a sample to see how it tasted (quality control you know).  It is yummy! I ate 1/2 the slice while taking the photos!

Cheesy Sausage Balls

While surfing Pinterest the other evening, I found this sausage ball recipe and decided it might be something nice to try for breakfast.

I get up really early to ride the bus to work, so in addition to packing my lunch, I also pack breakfast to take along.  A few minutes in the microwave once I'm at work and I have a nice hot breakfast.  Studies have proven that we function better if we provide our bodies fuel for the day. I can vouch for that! Along with my coffee, I have to have some type of protein to start my day.  It helps keep my hunger under control and prevents those embarrassing tummy growls during meetings!  

What I liked about this recipe is that it truly is low carb.  It does not contain baking mix that many sausage ball recipes call for.

These would also be great appetizers or game day nibblers.

Beef and Potato Loaf

As the weather shows hints of fall and turns cooler, I tend to pull out recipes that are "comfort" food, like this meatloaf with potatoes cooked beneath it.  You can easily half the recipe if you feel that this is too much, but if you like leftover meatloaf like I do, you'll want to have plenty for later.

Beef and Potato Loaf

Ingredients:

Potatoes:

6 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 Tablespoon chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Meatloaf:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound ground turkey
1 sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup ketchup or chili sauce
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Glaze:

1/2 cup ketchup
4 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray a large baking dish with non-stick spray.  I used my Le Cresuet oval pot.
Layer in the sliced potatoes, topping each layer with some of the onion, thyme, salt and pepper.

Crush the crackers finely, I used my food processor to quickly make the crumbs.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, turkey and remaining ingredients. 

Mix thoroughly (I use my hands) until combined and let stand for about 15-20 minutes for the liquid to absorb into the mixture.

Place meat mixture on top of the potato slices.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 60 minutes, adding additional time until done (depends on your pan and the thickness of the meatloaf).

15 minutes before removing the meatloaf from the oven, mix up the glaze and top the meatloaf.  Return to the oven and continue baking for 15 minutes.

....and That's What's Cooking at Cathy's ~ Enjoy!