Amazing Things with Amazing Grace

Monday, March 26, 2012

Amazing Sky

Lately the skies here have looked so amazing

The way the sun was peeking from behind the clouds this day

just had me amazed so we took pictures

This is the only peace I have in my life right now

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Ham Balls in Homemade BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. soft bread crumbs (2 slices)
1/2 c. finely chopped onion (1 medium)
2 TBS milk
1 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp black pepper
12 oz. ground cooked ham
12 oz. ground pork or ground beef

BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. ketchup
2 TBS vinegar
1 tsp. dry mustard

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350º. Lightly grease a 2 Quart rectangular baking pan; set aside.
In a large bowl combine eggs, bread crumbs, onion, milk, 1 tsp dry mustard and the
pepper. Add meats; mix well. Shape meat mixture into 12 balls, using about 1/3 c.
mixture for each. Place ham balls in the prepared baking dish.

2.) In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar and 1 tsp dry mustard. Stir
until the brown sugar dissolves. Pour ketchup mixture over the hamballs.

3.) Bake, uncovered, about 45 minutes or until done (160º)

Meatball Pie

Ingredients:

3 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cups grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces spaghetti
3 cups thinly sliced onions (2 large)
2 TBS butter
1 Cup ricotta cheese
2 TBS fresh basil or 2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 24-26 oz. jar pasta sauce or marinara sauce
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pound frozen cooked Italian meatballs ( or homemade ones)
Shaved parmesan

Directions:

1.) Grease a 10-inch springform pan. Line pan with parchment paper or foil.
Grease paper or foil; set pan aside. Or you can use a 2 qt. square baking
pan, grease and set aside.

2.) For pasta crust, in a small bowl stir together 2 of the eggs and grated parmesan
cheese; set aside. In a large saucepan cook pasta. Drain pasta; return to
saucepan. Add egg mixture; toss to coat. Press pasta mixture into prepared pan,
building up sides slightly, set aside.

3.) Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook onions, covered, in hot butter over med-low
heat about 15 mins or until onions are tender and lightly browned, stirring
occaisionally. Remove from heat, cool slightly.

4.) Preheat oven to 350º. In a small bowl stir together the remaining egg, ricotta
cheese, 2 TBS basil, and pepper. Spread ricotta cream mixture over pasta crust.
Top with caramelized onions. Place pan on a large pizza pan or baking sheet if
using spring form pan, if using regular baking pan place directly on rack in
oven. Bake 15 mins. Spoon 3/4 cup of pasta sauce over layers in pan. Sprinkle
with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.

5.) Toss meatballs with 3/4 cup of pasta sauce and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Arrange meatball mixture over layers in pan, forming a mound.

6.) Tent pie lightly with foil. Bake for 45 to 50 mins or until heated through.
Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Let stand, uncovered, on a wire rack
for 15 mins. Lift pie out of pan, useing a serrated knife, cut pie into wedges.
Garnish with shaved Parmesan Cheese before serving. Heat and pass remaining
pasta sauce.

This can also be premade and you can freeze for up to 2 months :o)

Watermelon Centerpiece

Cut about 1/3 of the top of a watermelon off and set aside, then cut a small part off the bottom so it sits flat on the table or plate.....set this aside...with the part you cut off slice in 1 inch slices and use cookie cutters or free hand cut shapes of flowers or hearts or letters or whatever you want , also use other fruits such as pineapples, cantaloupe, honeydew melon....put them on skewers...add grapes to make the flowers tops...you may also add strawberries or grapes to skewers just for added depth to the arrangement....add the skewers into the watermelon you have set aside and arrange them however you would like them, I made this one to say Ashley it was for my daughters bridal shower...I also used fresh greens around the bottom to cover the top of the watermelon to hide the bottom of the skewers, you can be creative and do this however you like, i free hand cut all my shapes and letters and this was my first attempt.

Strawberry Shortcake Skewers

Cut the tops off your strawberries and wash them, Cut Angel food cake into small squares about the size of your berries, alternate them on your skewers starting with

a strawberry....then drizzle them with melted chocolate...i put mine in a cup to serve them, these would make for a great party appetizer and they are so delicious.