Spaghetti Pizza Pie Recipe

This is one of my son's favorite's as it combines two of our family's most liked recipes : Pizza and Spaghetti!


Ingredients:


1 lb Organic Ground Meat (Turkey, Beef, Chicken or Lamb)
2 tsp Olive oil
1/2 Cup finely chopped onions
1 finely chopped garlic clove
1/2 lb (or 8oz.) Spaghetti Noodles 
1 Jar Pasta Sauce 24 oz. (or homemade spaghetti sauce) 
2 eggs 
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (+2 tbsp for sprinkling on top at the end)
2 Tbsp melted butter 
1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (+1/4 cup for sprinkling on top at the end)
3/4 cup small curd cottage cheese (or ricotta)
***Please note you can use an Alternative to Cow's Milk Cheeses in recipe with Vegetarian/Soy or Almond Cheese blends available.


Heat in frying/saute pan on medium heat:
Olive Oil
Onions
Garlic

Stir gently until heated through, not carmelized though.

Then stir in:

Meat and cook over medium high until done (until no pink in meat remains). Season to taste with salt and pepper (optional).
Then stir in Pasta Sauce and heat until bubbly, turn down to simmer. (See picture below)

Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions until al dente and drain. (can be prepared earlier in day and refrigerated) Put noodles into a Large Round Baking Dish (a deep pie dish). Set aside. 

**Note:  You can also use 2 small pie dishes if you don't have a Large Deep dish  and then have one to eat and one to freeze and bake another time or 1 to share. If you do 2, just distribute noodles and egg/cheese/meat mixture evenly between them both.


Mix into a bowl (pourable bowl if available):
Eggs 
Parmesan cheese
Melted butter 
Salt
Garlic Powder
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Cottage cheese (or ricotta)

Pour this mixture over the noodles in pie dish. Mix it really well and press down as this will be the crust. (see above)

Finally,
Spoon on and gently spread the meat sauce mixture over the crust and to finish off, sprinkle with the final mozzarella and then parmesan. (see below)

Bake in 375 degree oven for approx. 30 minutes or until slightly browned cheese (like a pizza), some bubbling around the edges and it is set. Let rest about 10 minutes and then cut and serve. Add a Salad and French bread for a great complete meal!

So Delicious Coupons for Coconut Milk Products GIVEAWAY!

If Dairy free milk products are a usual staple in your home, I have a Giveaway of So Delicious Coupons for you to be able to save over $16.00 in Yummy So Delicious brand Coconut milk products.

From Coconut Milk Creamer for your morning coffee and creamy Coconut Milk Beverage for your cereal to an afternoon smoothie using Cultured Coconut Milk for a protein filled refreshing snack or perhaps a dessert treat of Chocolate Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert you will be amazed at this creamy, smooth and healthy alternative to dairy!


This morning I felt like I was on a tropical island when I poured So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage in vanilla on my typically boring cereal but the addition of a sliced banana combined with the rich, creamy flavor of this milk was awesome!


You can find these wonderful products at most larger Grocers in your area either in the dairy/frozen food section/ or in the natural food/dairy/frozen dairy section. I purchase regularly at Fred Meyer in their health food section.

Here's some fresh and fruity recipe ideas using So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage:

Easy Strawberry - Banana Coconut Smoothie (and Frozen Treats)

• 1 cup strawberries fresh or frozen

• 1 banana 

• 1 cup So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Beverage

• 2 TBSP Honey, Natural Sweeter such as Stevia or Organic Cane Sugar

Mix in Blender until smooth. You can also double this recipe and make extra to fill your frozen "popcicle" or frozen treat holders as I did. Yogurt can also be added for extra flavor and richness, but the creaminess of the Coconut Milk Beverage is quite smooth and flavorful! Enjoy!

If you would like to get a .55 cent off Coupon to print on Facebook (Will need to "Like" their page) Click here -So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Product Coupon on Facebook


You can also go to http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/   for recipes, product info and to sign up for email and get more coupons! (to print)

This Sunday's Smartsource coupon insert has $1.00 off Coupons as well (3-25-12)


(Subscribers only - via Email or Google Following) GIVEAWAY:  I will give away the two coupon booklets shown above so you can save and try these delicious "So Delicious Coconut Milk" products!  Please leave a comment below on this post of something you liked reading about on my blog I actually started a year ago as of Tuesday, and also if you have ever tried So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk products.  Your first name and last name initial is fine in your reply.

This giveaway ends 3-31-2012. If you haven't yet subscribed you can do so by entering your email on the right side of my page to follow by email or sign up via Google to Follow where it says Join this Site, and then enter this Giveaway. (Please note if you sign up via Email you will need to confirm the email you receive via Feedburner after you sign up on this blog for it to count.) Thanks!

Homemade TV & Laptop Screen Cleaner

After I had my Laptop Computer for a month or so I realized how dirty the screen can get but was not at all sure what was safe to use. I found the Computer Screen Cleaning Wipes left streaks and decided to go a more natural route but still wanted to make sure it was safe for the screen. 

I have tried this solution and found it works great for my Laptop and TV screens but make sure you don't apply or spray directly to the screen but put a small amount on a Lint-Free Cloth (you can purchase at local office supply or use an old soft t-shirt type rag) Please use at your own risk with your equipment, however I have not had any problem with this gentle formula.

Note: Do not use paper towels. Do not use plain tap water, only Distilled. Do not spray directly on screens as it can drip down into parts and damage. Less is more :) when applying to your cloth, either spray on the cloth or dip cloth into jar just a little first. You can do a second round of cleaning if screens are really dirty.  I prefer to gently use a back and forth cleaning motion and end with a dry Lint-Free Cloth. Ahhhh, just like new again!

The basic recipe is:

1/2 cup plain White Vinegar
1/2 cup Distilled Water


Pour into small jar with a fitting lid or a spray bottle and label. Can be stored for future use.

What's a CARA CARA you ask?

Have you tried the Cara Cara Naval Oranges available at most supermarkets now? They are sold January through April and are an amazing vitamin packed treat! The beautiful pink color interior will remind you of a grapefruit but the flavor is sweeter with a slight cranberry-like hint, and no seeds.


I recently purchased an 8 pound bag at Costco for $7.79 which is an awesome deal! Most supermarkets that I have seen are selling them around $5.00 for a 3 pound bag. My family really loves these and this large bag actually disappears quite quickly, mostly just for snacks but they are also great for adding cut up into salads or squeeze the juice into a vinaigrette dressing.

Cara Cara Oranges are a special variety of juicy, low acid, seedless navels, an excellent source of vitamin C, A and fiber; a good source of folate and potassium, and a natural source of Lycopene, the disease-fighting antioxidant. This time of year with all the colds and flu going around why not pick up a natural immune booster treat?

You can see the Sunkist Cara Cara Oranges Nutrition Label for more nutritional details on this variety at the Sunkist Website . 

Save Money Buy Baking Soda - 100's of Uses!

For many years I had not thought much about using Baking Soda for other than the typical uses I was accustomed to such as a leavening agent in baking products, making into a paste for bee stings and sticking a box in the refrigerator to keep odors out. My mom also used to tell me she used it growing up to clean her teeth with instead of toothpaste.


A few years ago I started looking into more economical, healthier alternatives for cleaning and have incorporated more Baking Soda uses around my home. Their is actually a book I recently read that includes over 500 uses of Baking Soda called Baking Soda, Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of,  by Vicki Lansky, Book Peddlers, 2004


I decided earlier today to purchase a large bag of 13.5 lbs for $5.99 at Costco since I have found so many more uses for it. I would also suggest getting a large bottle of White Vinegar while your there as the cost is much lower and you can use these together to make a really easy household cleaner or if you saw my post from the summer, you can make an easy Fruit and Vegetable Wash using baking soda, water, vinegar and juice from a lemon. Speaking of summer, did you know you can also cool and soothe a sunburn by soaking  a lukewarm bath with a generous amount of Baking Soda? (a half to about a whole box of Baking Soda)


A few new uses I have found are:

• Shower Cleaner - 1st , clean shower stall doors by spraying with clear vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, then scour with a sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse and wipe or squeegee dry.
• Burn remedy - You can quickly treat a non-life threatening burn by applying cold cloths dipped in ice water with baking soda added until the burn has no heat. The burn is less likely to blister with this treatment. 
• Pet Deodorizing - Sprinkle a little in your cat box litter (if it doesn't already have odor control) 
• An easy Drain cleaner - add Baking Soda (about a cup) down the drain and then add 1 cup hot vinegar (you can heat it in the microwave first). Wait of few minutes before flushing with very hot water (about a quart). Repeat if necessary. This is great for regular deodorizing/upkeep of drains and disposers and avoids harsh chemicals.
• Auto Interior Cleaning - Great for freshening up your car seats and carpet. Just sprinkle on vinyl seats and wash with wet sponge or vacuum up if fabric. Sprinkle on carpet to freshen and then vacuum. 

Let me know how you use Baking Soda around your home. I will post a Part 2 for Baking Soda uses in the near future as their are so many great ways to use this amazing product!

COUPON CORNER - Pom Wonderful and Safeway Sale!

Great deal I found this last weekend that is still available at Safeway but act soon, last day of this sale is Feb. 7th. It requires last months Pom Wonderful manufacturer coupons for $1.00 off in your Sunday paper and the current Safeway advertisement posts Pom Wonderful 8oz. for .99 cents! I had 4 manufacturer coupons so I got 4 free. This is why I had to come back a few days later because the first time when the advertisement started they were completely sold out. I guess I am not the only one who figured this little gem of a deal out. 
On a quick side note: You can go to Pom Wonderful Website and sign up for emails and also get a $1.00 off coupon for their Fresh Arils (pomegranate inside seeds).
I also stocked up on Cambells Chunky Soups while I was at Safeway. They were on sale for $1.25 each (clip the coupon in the ad) and if you had the January and February Manufacturer coupons in the Sunday paper, you got them for $1.00 each because of the $1.00 off of 4 cans purchased. Again, this sale ends tomorrow night!


Any chance you can double up on the coupons/ads you can really notice a savings in your pocketbook!!

FIESTA Dinnerware Sale and Review!

Fiesta from Homer Laughlin China is my favorite brand for everyday dishes at my home.

I just added another Jumbo 18oz. Mug in Sunflower to my collection yesterday and the best part is that is only cost me .50 cents! The Khol's store near me just sent out a $10.00 Coupon to use and they were currently running a sale on Fiesta so this $15.00 cup was marked down to $10.50 then the coupon made it only .50 cents! This is now my favorite Coffee (and tea) cup for those chilly days ahead :)  I think it reminds me of the summer time sunflowers from my garden and brightens up a rainy day here in the Pacific NW.

I love the Fiesta dinnerware colors so mixing and matching is easy and fun! I have been collecting pieces  for about 12 years now, mostly the shades of blue (turquoise, cobalt, periwinkle blue and juniper) but thought it might be nice to add some yellow.  A few other reasons I would highly suggest Fiesta dinnerware is that they are Lead - free, made in the USA and they are very durable. I know my family and I have dropped them on several occasions and have never broken any. Whats your favorite family dishes?

Homer Laughlin China Co. Website

FLAVORS OF SUMMER

I think we finally hit some summer weather temps in the 80's today! Not complaining here at all considering the record breaking high heat going on in most of the US right now. I am enjoying some fresh raspberry lemonade with mint while trying to decide on what to make or do with the 7 pounds of freshly picked raspberries and strawberries I picked earlier. (See one of my favorite Berry treats below)

I am also trying to figure out ways to use/store the large amounts of mint that grows like weeds in my backyard! I have dried some for use in the fall/winter and I love it in my lemonade, summer fruit salads, and even use it with lavender to add to my bath for a relaxing soak.

What are some of your Favorite Summer Flavors?

Shana's Easy Frozen Berry Cream

• Frozen berries ( I like a mix of strawberries, raspberries & blueberries) approx 1 cup
• Sugar - approx. 2 tsp
• Half-n-half Milk, Whole or Lowfat milk, or non-dairy such as soy, almond or coconut milk - approx 1/2 cup

Put all in bowl and break up with spoon until desired consistency. (I like the way the milk freezes to the frozen berries and creates a delightful frozen treat.) Enjoy!!

Make your own MOLDED CHOCOLATES!

Here is a fun rainy day treat or special event gift you can create quite easily and quickly. My son and I made these recently as Michaels Crafts Store was having a sale on Wilton's Candy Melts so this was actually quite affordable. We had some of the plastic molds at home to make these in a snap however if you don't you can purchase at Michaels (or another Craft store that sells Cake/Candy making items). They were selling the day we were there for about $2 per mold sheet. Each sheet can make approx. 6-12 chocolates depending on the shape/sizes. This is really fun for specific themed parties as you can get all kinds of shapes. We used a variety as you can see in the picture from different themed molds just for fun.

*****Follow instructions on the bag for either melting the chocolate in the microwave or on the stove. (I prefer the microwave) and carefully spoon the melted chocolate a little a time into each molded shape to make flush/ even with the top. (Don't over or under fill if possible) You will need to work as quickly as you can for your melted chocolate will start to harden. If it does though, you can just re-melt in the microwave. I also like to gently tap down the trays to make sure all the molded areas with chocolate get filled properly and eliminates the chances of any bubbles. The instructions on the bag don't specifically say to refrigerate or freeze to harden them quicker but I do. Remove after about 15 minutes in the freezer or 30 minutes in the refrigerator. You should be able to turn the mold over a plate and gently tap and it should fall out. You do not need to store them in the refrigerator. We filled approx. 4 mold sheets (or about 40 chocolates). Fun note: If you want to you can try melting some different colored chocolate they have available (in separate bowls) and filling each with a different color variation or swirled mix, have fun with it!

Healthy and Delicious Non Dairy Alternatives

So Delicious Dairy Free COCONUT MILK

I have tried many Dairy Milk alternatives such as Rice, Almond, Soy and now recently Coconut Milk. If you haven't tried the new So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk yet, you should. I love the health benefits and the great taste. You can also find them on Facebook and they have a current Contest/Giveaway too on the link above so check them out!
Their Blog also has many wonderful recipes using this product. So Delicious Dairy Free BLOG SPOT