Fried Cheese Curds
Fried cheese curds are a Midwest pub staple that can easily be made right at home. Little balls of cheese fried until crunchy. Dip them into marinara sauce or ranch and you have an appetizer or snack that fills that cheese void you’ve been looking for.
We are on to the first Mitten Movie Night of the holiday season. The tree is up, stockings are hung and I have to admit that I am getting pretty jazzed about it. Along with the holidays, Christmas movie watching and football playoffs you should always have a great snack on hand for that extra binge-worthy, lazy on the couch kinds of days. That’s where these Fried Cheese Curds come into play.
What movie pairs well with fried cheese and beer?
In the mood for a new Christmas movie? Check out The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix. Kurt Russell as St. Nick is pretty genius casting. Super cute and perfect to watch with the family.
What beer pairs well with Fried Cheese Curds?
The beer: Wisconsin Dells Brewing Co., Sconnie Smash
We just spent a wonderful few days for our youngest’s birthday in Wisconsin Dells. Yes, Wisconsin Dells can still be fun in the winter.
While the town was pretty dead and not many businesses were open, we stayed at Mt. Olympus which had an indoor waterpark. After a day of play, we hit Moosejaw Pizza & Brewing Co. for some great food (I even remade my favorite there, Portobello Mushroom Burger), homemade pop for the kids and a cold glass of beer for the adults.
I went with the Sconnie Smash. This beer was part of the Sconnie Beer line. It was so tart and flavorful, almost tasted like cherry pop. Before heading home we picked up a few 6 packs at the local liquor store.
For these cheese curds, I made them in the way of Culver’s. Some recipes call for using a batter but I like the breading on Culver’s curds so it was an easy decision of what method I would use.
Here is a pro-tip for making cheese curds: It takes time! Don’t plan on having these hot and ready in 20 minutes. You are looking more like 3 hours.
How to make Fried Cheese Curds:
Open the package of cheese curds and place them on a plate. Let them ‘sweat’ for about half an hour.
Set up an assembly line of 1 plate flour, 1 bowl of whisked eggs, 1 plate of breadcrumbs mixed with salt and Italian seasoning.
First, roll a cheese curd into the flour.
Next, dip the cheese curd into the egg.
Roll the cheese curd into the breadcrumb mixture.
Place on a large cookie sheet with a wire rack. Continue with the rest of the curds.
Put the cookie sheet with the cheese curds into the freezer and let sit for 30-60 minutes.
Set up a frying assembly line.
In a cast iron pan add the oil. Bring to frying level. On another cookie sheet add paper towels.
Add about 10 curds to the pan and fry for about 40 seconds, then flip. Fry another 10 seconds.
Remove and add to the paper towel sheet to drain.
Work these fried cheese curds in batches.
Once they are all cooked serve immediately with rach or my favorite, marinara sauce.
Make fried cheese curds and these burger & hot dog recipes:
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from CopyKat.com
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Passive Time | 90 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 pound cheese curds
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 Tbs milk
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
- marinara or ranch dressing for dipping
Ingredients
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- Open the package of cheese curds and place them on a plate. Let them 'sweat' for about half an hour.
- Set up an assembly line of 1 plate flour, 1 bowl of whisked eggs, 1 plate of breadcrumbs mixed with salt and Italian seasoning.
- First, roll a cheese curd into the flour.
- Next, dip the cheese curd into the egg.
- Roll the cheese curd into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place on a large cookie sheet with a wire rack. Continue with the rest of the curds.
- Put the cookie sheet with the cheese curds into the freezer and let sit for 30-60 minutes.
- Set up a frying assembly line. In a cast iron pan add the oil. Bring to frying level. On another cookie sheet add paper towels.
- Add about 10 curds to the pan and fry for about 40 seconds, then flip. Fry another 10 seconds.
- Remove and add to the paper towel sheet to drain.
- Work these fried cheese curds in batches.
- Once they are all cooked serve immediately with rach or my favorite, marinara sauce. Enjoy!
Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
Do you love making big breakfasts during the weekend? Or like to make a breakfast casserole on Sundays so there are plenty of leftovers for weekday mornings? If you say ‘yes’ to either of those then this Sausage Hash Brown Casserole is for you!
This casserole is loaded with potatoes, sausage, cheese, eggs and a special ‘secret ingredient’. This stick to your ribs recipe is made for a crowd or even better as leftovers.
I first had this dish while staying the weekend with my family up in Muskegon. It was such a great weekend visiting with family and lots of great food. On Sunday morning, we woke up and my stepmom made a big breakfast and the main dish was this sausage hash brown casserole. It was so good!
While I was gobbling it down I asked her what was all in it so that I could make it once we got home. She said the first few ingredients which were a given: hash browns, sausage, cheese….but then she said ‘french onion dip’. What? You mean like chip dip? Yes! Even though it’s not something that I would have thought of, I now can’t imagine a savory breakfast casserole that isn’t a combination of creamy sour cream and french onion dip. Now on to the breakfast casserole recipe!
How to make Sausage Hash Brown Casserole:
Start by defrosting the hash browns according to the package directions.
While the hash browns are thawing, in a pan on the stovetop cook the breakfast sausage and onions until cooked all the way through. Should take around 8-10 minutes.
Remove the sausage from the pan and place on a plate with a few paper towels. Depending on how fatty your sausage is there may be grease that needs to drain off.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 dish.
Next in a bowl whisk the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and Spanish paprika. In a large bowl add the container of sour cream and french onion dip. Stir to combine.
Now add the thawed hash browns to the bowl followed by the egg mixture.
Finally, add all but 1/2 a cup of the cheese to the bowl.
Stir it all together so that everything is all combined well. Add it to the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese on the top.
Cover the pan with tin foil then cook for 50 minutes.
Cut into 12 pieces and serve with a big bowl of fruit, biscuits, and jelly.
Tips for making Sausage Hash Brown Casserole:
- Do not skip defrosting the frozen hash browns. If you try to cook them frozen your casserole will take about…5 hours to cook. Now if you are having a really lazy Sunday then fine but you would probably have all your coffee drank by then and what fun is that?
- Need this recipe for an even bigger crowd? Double the batch and bake in a large foil 20×12 baking pan. Add 20 additional minutes to baking time.
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 50 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 8 ounces french onion dip
- 30 onces frozen hash browns thawed according to package directions
- 1/2 cup yellow onion chopped
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 6 eggs, large
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp Spanish paprika
- 8 ounces shredded colby jack cheese
Ingredients
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- Defrost the hash browns according to the package directions.
- In a pan on the stovetop cook the breakfast sausage and onions until cooked all the way through. Should take around 8-10 minutes.
- Remove the sausage from the pan and place on a plate with a few paper towels. Depending on how fatty your sausage is there may be grease that needs to drain off.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 dish.
- In a bowl whisk the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and Spanish paprika.
- In a large bowl add the container of sour cream and french onion dip. Stir to combine. Now add the thawed hash browns to the bowl followed by the egg mixture. Finally add all but 1/2 a cup of the cheese to the bowl.
- Stir it all together so the everything is all combines well. Add it all into the preprared pan and spread it all evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese on the top.
- Cover the pan with tin foil then cook for 50 minutes.
- Cut into 12 pieces and serve. Enjoy!
Tips for Sausage Hash Brown Casserole:
- Do not skip defrosting the frozen hash browns. If you try to cook them frozen your casserole will take about...5 hours to cook. Now if you are having a really lazy Sunday then fine but you would probably have all your coffee drank by then and what fun is that?
- Need this recipe for an even bigger crowd? Double the batch and bake in a large foil 20x12 baking pan. Add 20 additional minutes to baking time.
Toad In The Hole
The classic English dish Toad In a Hole is made with sausage, a simple bread pudding, then topped with a mustard-onion gravy. This is a perfect meal when you are looking for something a little different.
Welcome to Mitten Movie Night the Royal Wedding Edition! I decided to make a classic English dish for this special occasion.
I hadn’t had Toad In The Hole before I knew that it was going to be something that I would love. Meat, onions, carbs….GRAVY!!! Of course, I had to add some Michigan appeal to this dish by using Beer Brats made with Founder’s Dirty Bastard Craft Beer. We eat these a lot during the Summer and they worked great in this recipe.
What beer pairs well with sausages?
The beer: Soft Parade from Short’s Brewing.
While I did do some research about favorite beers of England I felt like I would rather share a Michigan beer that I felt was fitting not only with the meal but also the name, Soft Parade from Short’s Brewing. This beer is full of fruit flavor: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
Fruit beers pair so well with dishes that aren’t exactly complex in flavor and that’s why a simple sausage dish like this is perfectly contrasted with this beer. Plus the name gets you in the mood for the ‘procession’ that the Royal Wedding will have.
See how I did that? Wink, wink….I know it was a weak analogy but like most things, I’m going with it!
So after going through about a million recipes, I settled on this one from Cooking Channel TV for Toad in the Hole with Mustard-Onion Gravy.
How to make Toad In a Hole:
For the base, it’s just flour, salt, eggs, and milk. To one bowl add the flour and salt. In another bowl add the milk and eggs then whisk to combine. Slowly add the milk and egg mixture to the flour whisking it together to make a batter.
Simple enough but then the trick seemed to be what you do with it once the ingredients are mixed together. Half the recipes said to just keep it out on the counter for 10-30 minutes. The other half said that you had to keep it in the refrigerator overnight or at least a few hours to set. What I did was make the batter in the morning and put in the refrigerator until I was ready to make this about 6 hours later.
The other part of this recipe that was in all of them was heating up the pan you are cooking the pudding and sausages in. About an hour before you are ready to put this on the table take the batter out of the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Now put the pan you plan on baking this in into the oven. I used a metal pan because I was worried about adding the cold batter to a hot pan would break it.
Next, brown the sausages in a pan on the stove with 1 Tbs oil. Brown all sides which take about 8 minutes but don’t worry about cooking all the way through. Reserve any oil in the pan for the gravy.
Carefully take the pan out of the oven then add a small bit of oil to that pan. You can spray or add the oil then spread with a paper towel but please use caution since the pan is extremely hot. Now add the batter and top with the sausages.
Return it to the oven and cook for 45 minutes.
For the gravy use the reserved oil you left from cooking the brats and add the thinly sliced onions. Using very low heat cook them down slowly for about 10 minutes. To the onions add the flour and stir to coat. Now add the beef broth, mustard. Continue cooking down until it thickens to a gravy consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Take out the Toad In The Hole from the oven. Slice and serve topped with gravy.
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 18 ounces beer brats I used Open Acres Dirty Bastard Beer Brats
- 1 Tbs vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced thinly
- 1 Tbs all purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tbs whole grain mustard
Ingredients
Toad In The Hole
Mustard-Onion Gravy
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- To one bowl add the flour and salt. In another bowl add the milk and eggs then whisk to combine. Slowly add the milk and egg mixture to the flour whisking it together to make a batter.
- Keep batter on the counter for 10-30 minutes or keep in the refrigerator up to overnight if you like.
- Take the batter out of the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Put just the pan you plan on baking this in into the oven.
- Next brown the sausages in a pan on the stove with 1 Tbs oil. Brown all sides which takes about 8 minutes but don't worry about cooking all the way through. Reserve any oil in the pan for the gravy.
- Carefully take the pan out of the oven then add a small bit of oil to that pan. You can spray or add the oil then spread with a paper towel but please use caution since the pan is extremely hot. Now add the batter and top with the sausages. Return it to the oven and cook for 45 minutes.
- For the gravy use the reserved oil you left from cooking the brats and add the thinly sliced onions. Using very low heat cook them down slowly for about 10 minutes.
- To the onions add the flour and stir to coat. Now add the beef broth, mustard. Continue cooking down until it thickens to a gravy consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Take out the Toad In The Hole from the oven. Slice and serve topped with gravy. Enjoy!
Shrimp Cannelloni #SundaySupper
February is here and love is in the air. Looking for a romantic meals for two that won’t take you all day to make? Try my Shrimp Cannelloni that has a short cut so you can spend more time with your love and not in the kitchen.
The inspiration for these came after watching one of my favorite shows Diner, Drive-In’s & Dives. They were at a restaurant where they made cannelloni and instead of spending all the time stuffing the tubes they used egg roll wrappers instead. Genius! Right up there with the making ravioli using ice cube trays that I want to try soon. For the filling they used a food processor to make the filling. Also genius! So let’s get to it.
Start by thawing out the shrimp. I used cocktail already cooked shrimp to make quick work of this and then I have shrimp leftover for tacos and salads. In a food processor place the shrimp (keep out a small handful to add into the Alfredo sauce at the end), sundried tomatoes, garlic cloves and parsley. Process until all the has been combined. Take the mixture and place in a bowl then add the ricotta cheese and Italian cheese. Mix all together. The mixture should be well combined to make it easy to spread onto the egg roll wrappers.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Now start the Alfredo sauce. Start by melting the butter in a sauce pan once melted add the flour and make a roux. Now add the milk, the whole shrimp that was set aside and the Parmesan cheese. Stir to completely combine and it thickens up. In a 8×8 dish that has been greased put part 1/2 of the Alfredo into the bottom of the pan.
Now time to wrap the ‘Cannelloni’. Take the shrimp and ricotta mixture into 6 servings. Lay out each egg roll wrapper and spread the filling in the middle. Fold over the top edges over the filling then then one end over the filling and finally roll it up. Place into the dish seam side down. Lastly cover with the rest of the Alfredo sauce and the last 1/4 cup of Italian cheese. Put in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Thank you to this weeks Sunday Supper host! Check out all the other recipes that will make for a delicious and cozy night for two.
Simple Dinner Ideas for Two
Entrees for Two
- Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp by Wholistic Woman
- Beef Carpaccio with Truffle Vinaigrette by Caroline’s Cooking
- Butter Poached Cod with Lentils by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Cacio e Pepe with Parmesan Frico by Pies and Plots
- Chicken Mushroom Stuffed Squash by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Cheesy Chicken with Broccoli by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta by Brunch-n-Bites
- Filet with Crabéarnaise by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Peppered Chicken with Saffron Polenta by Gourmet Everyday
- Sausage and Vegetable Orzo by Hot Eats and Cool Reads
- Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Potatoes by Sunday Supper Movement
- Shrimp Biranyi by Our Good Life
- Shrimp Canneloni by Bottom Left of the Mitten
- Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Teriyaki Rice Bowl by Life Tastes Good
Desserts for Two
- Chocolate Cherry Skillet Cookie by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies for 2 by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Kahlua Tiramisu for Two by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
The Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our Sunday Supper website. Also check out the Sunday Supper Pinterest boards for plenty more ideas and inspiration.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 6 egg roll wrappers, premade
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, thawed
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 1 ounce sundried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup italian shredded cheese split
- 2 Tbs butter
- 1 Tbs flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Ingredients
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|
- Start by thawing out the shrimp.
- In a food processor place the shrimp (keep out a small handful to add into the Alfredo sauce at the end), sundried tomatoes, garlic cloves and parsley. Process until all the has been combined.
- Take the mixture and place in a bowl then add the ricotta cheese and Italian cheese. Mix all together.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Now start the Alfredo sauce. Start by melting the butter in a sauce pan once melted add the flour and make a roux. Now add the milk, the whole shrimp that was set aside and the Parmesan cheese. Stir to completely combine and it thickens up. In a 8x8 dish that has been greased put part 1/2 of the Alfredo into the bottom of the pan.
- Take the shrimp and ricotta mixture into 6 servings. Lay out each egg roll wrapper and spread the filling in the middle. Fold over the top edges over the filling then then one end over the filling and finally roll it up. Place into the dish seam side down.
- Lastly cover with the rest of the Alfredo sauce and the last 1/4 cup of Italian cheese.
- Put in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
This Pudding Recipe that will transport you back to childhood. A bowl of warm, chocolatey pudding with the extra special layer on top of it. Homemade Chocolate Pudding is easy to make and you probably have all the ingredients on hand.
*Affiliate links may be included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
I received Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa complimentary but all opinions stated in this post are my own.
This week for Choctoberfest I thought I would make a rich, chocolate dessert that takes me back to my childhood. Sunday’s were spent at my Grandma & Grandpa’s house and dessert was usually a big bowl of homemade chocolate pudding. Rodelle’s Dutch-processed cocoa gives this chocolate pudding a rich flavor and easy enough to make to make your sweet tooth happy.
I was very excited to partner with Rodelle in making this recipe for Choctoberfest. Not only is their baking cocoa versatile for recipes it is also full of good things for you and your family: antioxidants, dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamins. It’s also naturally cholesterol free Kosher, gluten-free and non-GMO. So now on to the recipe!
How do you make Homemade Chocolate Pudding?
In a medium sized pan add the dry ingredients: sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt whisk together the ingredients so they are all combined.
Move the pot to the stove top. Measure out 2 cups of milk and whisk it into the dry ingredients. Turn on the stove to medium heat. Add the additional 2 cups milk, butter, and vanilla.
With the heat going constantly keep the whisk going. The lumps at the top will eventually disappear so be patient. Keep stirring until the pudding starts to thicken–this takes about 5-8 minutes so be patient as you need to stay and whisk the pudding the whole time so the bottom doesn’t burn.
When you can dip a spoon into the pudding and it coats the back of it you can take it off the heat and put into serving bowls. Give the pudding at least 10 minutes to cool down and firm up a little if eating warm.
Serve warm or chilled. With or without whipped cream.
Tips & Variations for Homemade Chocolate Pudding:
- Don’t like pudding skin? Cut wax paper to fit or plastic wrap pressed down on the top to prevent the skin from forming. If you want cold put it into the fridge for about half an hour.
- Feel free to substitute dark cocoa powder for a dark chocolate homemade pudding.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup Rodelle’s Gourmet Baking Cocoa
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cup milk I use whole milk
- 2 Tbs butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Ingredients
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- In a medium sized pan add the dry ingredients: sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt. Whisk together the ingredients so they are all combined. Move the pot to the stove top.
- Measure out 2 cups of milk and whisk it into the dry ingredients. Turn on the stove to medium heat. Add the additional 2 cups milk, butter and vanilla.
- With the heat going constantly keep the whisk going. The lumps at the top will eventually disappear so be patient. Keep stirring until the pudding starts to thicken--this takes about 5-8 minutes so be patient as you need to stay and whisk the pudding the whole time so the bottom doesn't burn.
- When you can dip a spoon into the pudding and it coats the back of it you can take it off the heat and put into serving bowls.
- If eating warm give the pudding at least 10 minutes to cool down and firm up a little.
- For no skin: cut wax paper to fit or plastic wrap pressed down on the top to prevent the skin from forming.
- If you want cold: put it into the fridge for about half an hour.
- Serve warm or chilled. With or without whipped cream. Enjoy!
- Don't like pudding skin? Cut wax paper to fit or plastic wrap pressed down on the top to prevent the skin from forming. If you want cold put it into the fridge for about half an hour.
Crock Pot Ranch Pork Roast
Looking for a cozy meal that takes very little time to make? Set the crock pot and add a simple sauce to pork then let it do its work. Crock Pot Ranch Pork Roast is a slow cooker favorite the whole family will love.
This is one of my favorite meals to make for my boys. For me, one of my true joys is making them a meal that has them leaving the dinner table full & happy.
Now I’m going, to be honest and give what is possibly an unpopular opinion-I really don’t use my crock pot often. Even in the cooler months. Not sure if it’s just that I forget that I even have one or maybe I’m not a big fan of the way some meat turns out after cooking but there is one meat that I almost always pull out the underused crock pot for and that is pork. This crock pot ranch pork roast only takes a few ingredients to get this tender roast that practically makes its own gravy.
How to make Crock Pot Ranch Pork Roast:
In a bowl mix together the dry ranch, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and water.
Mix all ingredients together then pour on top of pork. Easy! Once that is all in just cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Remove the roast from the crockpot and put on a plate or sheet pan. Pull meat apart and dispose of any fat that is left on the roast.
Time to make the gravy: Ladle 1 cup of the liquid from the slow cooker and add to a pot. In a small bowl whisk 1 Tbs flour with 3 Tbs milk. Bring liquid to a boil then add the flour/milk mixture. Whisk constantly until it thickens, usually takes 2-4 minutes. This can easily be doubled depending on how much gravy you’re looking for.
So rich & creamy. Perfect to top off this crockpot ranch pork roast. Roast up some asparagus and mash some potatoes to complete this meal.
Variations for Crock Pot Ranch Pork Roast:
- Want an Italian twist to this dish? Swap out the dry ranch dressing for dry Italian dressing.
- Add some whole peppercini’s to the crockpot for some extra flavor.
- This pork roast is also great on sandwich buns with melted cheese.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Originally published April 2016. Updated photos & recipe.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 6 hours |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 Pork Loin Roast
- 1 Pkg Dry Ranch Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 Cup soy sauce
- 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 2 Cup water
- 1 Cup Reserved Liquid from Crock Pot
- 3 Tbs milk
- 1 Tbs flour
Ingredients
Crock Pot Ranch Pork Roast
Gravy
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- Mix all ingredients together. Pour on top of pork. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Remove the roast from the crock-pot and put on a plate or sheet pan. Pull meat apart and dispose of any fat that is left on the roast.
- Ladle 1 cup of the liquid from the slow cooker and add to a pot.
- In a small bowl whisk 1 Tbs flour with 3 Tbs milk.
- Bring liquid to a boil then add the flour/milk mixture. Whisk constantly until it thickens, usually takes 2-4 minutes.
- Serve pork with gravy and any other side you wish. Enjoy!
Tuna Casserole
Time for a cozy Tuna Casserole recipe that is easy any night of the week. Try out my Tuna Noodle Casserole full of vegetables and cheese and topped with a buttery cracker crust.
School is in full swing. Fall is here. No better time to have a really cozy, comforting casserole recipe in your back pocket for busy nights. Or the weekend. Or to make sure there are leftovers in the fridge for busy nights. Whatever the case, this tuna casserole is for you!
What sets this Tuna Casserole apart from the crowd?
- Cheese! Don’t let the plain name fool you. This is a cheesy tuna noodle casserole. The creamy cheese sauce in this casserole takes this recipe to the next level.
- The buttery cracker crust really makes this casserole true comfort food.
The weather is finally cooling down after quite a heat spell here in Southwestern Michigan, and I think most of the Midwest. It’s taken a few weeks to get into the groove of the school year. With the move to the new house, our 11 yr old started a new school which isn’t nearly as close as the old one. He is going on the bus which is a new experience for him and even our 3-year-old started preschool. Little A can be a bit of handful but it’s actually been going well! Okay, enough about that now on to the tuna casserole recipe.
How do you make Tuna Casserole?
Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. When I add the noodles to the boiling water I also add the peas and carrots so they can cook at the same time. Once they have cooked (around 12 minutes) remove from the pot and drain then add to a separate bowl. In the same pot that the noodles were cooked, we’re going to make a roux.
Making a roux for this tuna casserole is so simple and once you learn how to do it you will never use a box with cheese sauce already in it again. To the pot on medium heat add 1 Tbs of butter. Once it’s melted add the flour and stir until combined. Now add the milk. Stir to combine the butter and flour mixture then add the can of cream of chicken. Finally, add 1/2 a cup of the cheese.
To the noodle mixture add the two cans of drained tuna. Mix all together then add into the pot of cheese sauce. Stir to combine so all the cheese gets into all the crevices. In a greased 9×13 dish add the noodle casserole.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl melt the remaining 1 Tbs of butter. Crush the sleeve of crackers into fine pieces then add to the melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole then top with the final 1/4 cup of cheese on top. Bake for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
Tips & Variations for Tuna Casserole:
- No tuna lovers in your house? Swap out cooked chicken.
- Triple cheddar is what I used but feel free to use any cheese you like!
And here you are….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 2 5 ounce cans albacore tuna drained
- 1 cup peas & carrots, frozen
- 12 ounces egg noodles cooked according to package directions
- 2 Tbs butter 1 Tbs for casserole and 1 Tbs for top
- 1 Tbs flour
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup triple cheddar cheese
- 1/2 sleeve Ritz Crackers
Ingredients
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- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. When I add the noodles to the boiling water I also add the peas and carrots so they can cook at the same time. Once they have cooked (around 12 minutes) remove from the pot and drain then add to a separate bowl.
- In the same pot that the noodles were cooked we're going to make a roux. To the pot on medium heat add 1 Tbs of butter. Once it's melted add the flour and stir until combed. Now add the milk. Stir to combine the butter and flour mixture then add the can of cream of chicken. Finally add 1/2 a cup of the cheese.
- To the noodle mixture add the two cans of drained tuna. Mix all together then add into the pot of cheese sauce. Stir to combine so all the cheese gets into all the crevices.
- In a greased 9x13 dish add the noodle casserole. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- In a bowl melt the remaining 1 Tbs of butter. Crush the sleeve of crackers into fine pieces then add to the melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole then top with the final 1/4 cup of cheese on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes to melt then cheese. Enjoy!
Cajun Steak & Potato Salad
Hello first Mitten Movie Night of the Fall! I am kicking it off with a reboot of one of my first recipes on the blog. The original – let’s just say the recipe is STILL phenomenal but my photos….they were not good. So I’ve freshened them up so that you can see the beauty that is this salad. Cajun Steak & Potato Salad to be exact. This is a very basic salad but comes together with a creamy poppy seed dressing that makes everything meld together in pure perfection.
When I first made this recipe Mitten Movie Night wasn’t even a plan for the blog. The big idea came when I was thinking about my upcoming birthday and what I was going to make for dinner. I wanted to recreate a Portobello Mushroom Burger recipe from a restaurant that I love when we go to Wisconsin Dells. If I pulled it off I was going to put it on the blog. Then I was thinking about what beer I wanted to drink. And then what movie we would watch. Light bulb moment…and with a little tweeking that is when Mitten Movie Night came to be.
Just a little over a year now we’ve been celebrating every Friday that I can. Things have slowed down for the blog since moving into the new house and a busy Summer but now that we are settled in and the kids are finally back in school I’m hoping it can become a regular feature throughout the year. Now on to this recipe that I’m pairing with Sierra Nevada Peach IPA. Perfect compliment to the tangy & sweet poppy seed dressing. We are watching It to brush up before going and seeing it in theaters this weekend. The best thing about this time of year is getting ready for scary movies and Halloween! Enough about that now on to the food.
Start off with the potatoes. 20 minutes before your planning on starting the meal clean and slice the potatoes. Add the slices into a bowl of salted cold water. This gets the extra water out of the potatoes so that they can get good and crispy when they cook. Drain the water from them then layer out onto a paper towel. Completely dry both sides as much as you can. Once they are as dry as possible sprinkle on both sides with Cajun seasoning. Warm a skillet and add oil. Let it come to medium/high heat then add potatoes. Cook on each side 4 minutes depending on your pan and your heat.
While the potatoes cook, chop your onion. Once the potatoes are done remove them from the pan on to a separate plate. Now it’s time to add your onion & steak. I got these sizzler steaks which are very thin and cook quickly. They also slice up nice and thin and end up very tender. I cooked these about 2 minutes per side.
While the steak is cooking make your delicious, creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. Grab a small jar and add the mayo, sugar, milk, vinegar, poppy seeds and mustard. Add top and shake it to combine all the ingredients.
Once the steak has cooked take it and cut into thin slices. Chop lettuce up lettuce and tomatoes. Assemble the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, potatoes, steak and onion. Either add dressing right on top of the salad or let everyone add their own. And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Poppy Seed Dressing Adapted from Moms Need to Know
This post was originally from May 2016-it has been updated with photos & text.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 pound steak of choice I usually purchase what is on sale
- 1 Tbs coconut oil
- 5 potatoes sliced, added to water for 20 minutes then drained and pat dry
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 3 Tbs Cajun Seasoning
- 1/2 head lettuce washed and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- 2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbs sugar
- 1 Tbs poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp brown mustard
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbs milk
Ingredients
Cajun Steak & Potato Salad
Poppy Seed Dressing
|
|
- Start off with the potatoes. 20 minutes before your planning on starting the meal clean and slice the potatoes. Add the slices into a bowl of salted cold water.
- Drain the water from the potatoes then layer out onto a paper towel. Completely dry both sides as much as you can. Once they are as dry as possible sprinkle on both sides with Cajun seasoning.
- Warm a skillet and add oil. Let it come to medium/high heat then add potatoes. Cook on each side 4 minutes depending on your pan and your heat.
- While the potatoes cook, chop your onion. Once the potatoes are done remove them from the pan on to a separate plate. Now it's time to add your onion & steak. Cook thin steaks about 2 minutes per side or longer depending on steak cut, size and desired temperature.
- Once the steak has cooked take it and cut into thin slices.
- Chop lettuce up lettuce and tomatoes. Assemble the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, potatoes, steak and onion. Enjoy!
- Grab a small jar and add the mayo, sugar, milk, vinegar, poppy seeds and mustard. Add top and shake it to combine all the ingredients.
- Pour over salad to serve or serve on the side.
Slow Boat to China #SundaySupper
In my new take on a classic, I use quick cooking rice so there is nothing ‘slow’ about my Slow Boat to China recipe. Easy comfort food that is perfect for busy nights.
I call this a ‘retro’ recipe because I think anytime I bring it up-someone my age inevitably knows exactly what I’m talking about. When I say, ‘the rice one with celery’ or any other version of that. Both my grandmothers made it, then my mom and now me.
Doesn’t making food from your childhood bring back the best memories? Sometimes I get the recipe directly from the source or like this one I had to wing it. While it was a staple I had growing up it is one of those recipes that has possibly changed so much over the years that it probably isn’t the original at all.
When I first wanted to make it I did some research and found that most of the recipes used the same basic ingredients-rice, beef, celery, cream of mushroom and soy sauce. My first couple test runs were…bland. And frankly, nothing like I ate as a child. It was missing the ‘Stroganoff ‘ element that I remembered. So that’s easy, add sour cream! Now use quick cooking rice and I had myself a dinner that was quick and delicious.
How to make Slow Boat to China:
Start first by cooking the rice according to package directions. Add 2 beef bouillon cubes to the rice and water so that while it cooks the cubes dissolve and the flavor gets throughout the rice.
In a skillet cook the ground beef until completely cooked all the way through. Chop the onions and clean and chop the celery while it cooks. Once the beef is cooked thoroughly remove from heat then drain the beef and set aside.
Take a paper towel and clean any grease out of the bottom of the pan so you can use it to cook the onions and celery. Add 1 Tbs butter and start melting it.
Place the onions and celery in and start sautee and cook until tender, around 7 minutes. I like to lave the celery just a little crunchy.
Return the drained beef to the pan.
In a bowl combine the items for the sauce: cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Mix until well combined.
Pour over the beef mixture. Once the rice is cooked add both cups to the pan with the beef and sauce mix.
Stir it all up then cook for another 3-4 minutes to warm everything through completely.
Serve Slow Boat to China with some warm buttered biscuits or croissants.
Tips for making Slow Boat to China:
- Make sure to drain the beef once it has cooked so there isn’t too much grease in the final dish.
- I’ve gotten some feedback that this recipe could be a little creamier, so I have updated to add another 1/2 cup of sour cream to the dish.
And here you….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Thank you to this weeks Sunday Supper host. Check out all of the other recipes to make any night of the week.
Simple Rice Recipes for Dinner #SundaySupper
What’s for dinner?
- Butternut and Brown Rice Soup by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Crispy Rice Bites by Hardly A Goddess
- Easy Pork Fried Rice – Gluten Free by Cricket’s Confections
- Granny’s Sausage & Rice Casserole by Gourmet Everyday
- Italian Rice Pilaf with Toasted Almonds by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Nasi Lemak – Malay Coconut Milk Rice by Sprinkles and Sprouts
Rice is for dinner!
- Olive & Date Rice Side Dish by My Life Cookbook
- Qatiqli Hu’rda (Uzbek Rice Soup with Yogurt) by Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Savory Rice Porridge by Pies and Plots
- Slow Boat to China by Bottom Left of the Mitten
- Slow Cooker Jamaican Rice and Peas Soup by Palatable Pastime
- Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore over Rice by My Blissful Mess
- Sushi Roll Rice Bowl by The Freshman Cook
- Tex Mex Chicken Skillet by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Easy Paella Recipe with Beef and Shrimp by Sunday Supper Movement
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 18 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 2 cups quick cooking rice cooked according to package directions
- 2 beef bouillion
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 3 stalks celery washed and chopped
- 1 Tbs butter
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom
- 1 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tsp soy sauce
Ingredients
|
|
- Cook the rice according to package directions. Add 2 beef bouillon cubes to the rice and water.
- In a skillet cook the ground beef until completely cooked all the way through. Once the beef is cooked thoroughly remove from heat then drain the beef and set aside.
- Chop the onions and clean and chop the celery.
- To the same pan add 1 Tbs butter and start melting it. Place the onions and celery in and start sautee and cook until tender, around 7 minutes.
- In a bowl combine the items for the sauce: cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. Mix until well combined. Pour over the beef mixture.
- Once the rice is cooked add both cups to the pan with the beef and sauce mix.
- Stir it all up then cook for another 3-4 minutes to warm everything through completely. Serve with some warm buttered biscuits or croissants. Enjoy!
Ham & Spinach Breakfast Sandwich #SundaySupper
Are you a breakfast eater? I am not really. I prefer to get up and have my coffee then maybe eat an early lunch. However on the weekends it’s a different story. Weekends are for big breakfasts with the family on Sunday. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, french toast or omelettes. This Ham & Spinach Breakfast Sandwich is the perfect balance of eggs and ham, chewy ciabatta bread and one of my favorite condiments, pesto.
The pesto is really what made this sandwich great. I’ve been growing basil out in my back yard for a few years now so it’s pretty much a staple in our house. Don’t have fresh basil? I find that the store version is good too so don’t get overwhelmed with an extra step if you don’t want to. The other good thing is that this sandwich can be made all in one pan.
This recipe is based off a sandwich I had when my husband and I took a little trip to Toledo & Cleveland last year. While there we stayed at a beautiful hotel, the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade. It was a great hotel right across from all kinds of restaurants, shops and a really cool brewery. It was a great trip! We visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and my favorite, The Christmas Story House! I also got to eat a great breakfast sandwich in the hotel restaurant, this Ham & Spinach Breakfast Sandwich. Now on to the food!
This sandwich is a one pan wonder. Heat up 1 tsp of oil then add the onion. Let soften for 2-3 minutes stirring so they don’t burn. In a bowl combine the eggs and milk and whip to combine. Now add spinach to the pan. Cook for about a minute to let it soften. Add the eggs on top. Using a spatula thin out the eggs and cook by pushing the bottom up and letting the egg run under. Cook for about 2 minutes then flip. Now add ham to the other side of the pan. Heat through for 2 minutes while the other side of the egg cooks. Put ham on top of the eggs. Take the 2 pieces of bread and spread butter on them then place face down in the open section of the pan. Let brown for about 1 minute.
Now time to plate it. Place 1 piece of bread browned side down. Put stacked eggs and ham on top of it. Add a generous amount of prepared or freshly make pesto to the other slice of bread and put on top. And here you are….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Thank you to this weeks Sunday Supper host. Check out all of the other sandwich recipes for all the sandwich lovers in your house.
Simple Sandwich Recipes That Will Make You Love Lunch #SundaySupper
Any day ‘Wiches
- Breakfast Burrito Sandwich on the Go by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Whole30 Sundried Tomato Turkey Sliders by Bites of Wellness
- Ham & Spinach Breakfast Sandwich by Bottom Left of the Mitten
- Low Carb Breakfast Sandwich by Lowcarb-ology
- Matcha Ice Cream Teatime Sandwiches by NinjaBaker.com
- Maple Almond Ice Cream Sandwiches by Pies and Plots
- Dark Chocolate Cherry Dessert Grilled Cheese by The Crumby Kitchen
Any time ‘Wiches
- BLFGT (Bacon Lettuce Fried Green Tomato) Sandwich by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Sausage and Pepper Hoagies by A Little Fish in the Kitchen
- Southern Sweet Tea Brined Chicken Biscuit Sandwich by Gourmet Everyday
- Muffuletta by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- California Club Sandwich Recipe by Life Tastes Good
- The Rachel {kin to The Reuben} Sandwich by Our Good Life
- Smoked Salmon on Croissant by Palatable Pastime
- Chicken Salad Sandwich by Restless Chipotle
- Authentic Cuban Sandwich by Soulfully Made
Anywhere ‘Wiches
- Tuna Bacon Salsa Wrap by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Peanut Butter and Pepperoni Sandwich by Cricket’s Confections
- Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich by Healing Tomato
- Grilled Eggplant, Zucchini and Mushroom Sandwich by Mysavoryspoon
- Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich by Simple and Savory
- Italian Pressed Sandwich by Sunday Supper Movement
- Brie, Jam and Salami Sandwich by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chipotle Chicken Sandwich by The Freshman Cook
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
| Servings |
sandwich
|
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp milk
- 2 pieces sliced ham
- 1 handful spinach
- 1 tsp onion chopped
- 1 tsp oil
- 2 pieces ciabatta bread
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 Tbs pesto fresh or prepared
Ingredients
|
|
- Heat up 1 tsp of oil then add the onion. Let soften for 2-3 minutes stirring so they don't burn.
- In a bowl combine the eggs and milk and whip to combine.
- Now add spinach to the pan. Cook for about a minute to let it soften. Add the eggs on top.
- Using a spatula thin out the eggs and cook by pushing the bottom up and letting the egg run under. Cook for about 2 minutes then flip.
- Add ham to the other side of the pan. Heat through for 2 minutes while the other side of the egg cooks. Put ham on top of the eggs.
- Take the 2 pieces of bread and spread butter on them then place face down in the open section of the pan. Let brown for about 1 minute.
- Place 1 piece of bread browned side down. Put stacked eggs and ham on top of it. Add a generous amount of prepared or freshly make pesto to the other slice of bread and put on top. Enjoy!
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