Sweet & Savory Thursday - Holiday Baked Spaghetti

This is a great entree to serve to your holiday guests.  You can prepare it ahead of time, freeze it, and heat and serve, if necessary.  

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. garlic, diced
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 bottle - 28 oz. to 30 oz. diced tomatoes, liquid included
• 1  - 4 oz. can sliced black olives
• 2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
• 1 tsp. freshly ground salt, optional
• 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
• 12 ounces spaghetti noodles, cooked in 1/2 tsp. olive oil, and drained
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 - 10.75 oz. can Cream of Mushroom soup, undiluted
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

• In a large skillet or saucepan, lightly saute onion and garlic in olive oil.
• Add ground beef and brown until meat is cooked thoroughly, drain, and return to skillet or saucepan.
• Add tomatoes, olives, oregano flakes, salt (optional) and pepper.
• Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Place 1/2 of the cooked noodles in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
• Top with half of the ground beef and tomato mixture.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
• Repeat the above three layers.
• Mix the soup and water until thoroughly blended and pour over the top of the casserole mixture.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.
• Garnish with sliced olives.
• Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
• Serves 12.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Serve with green salad & garlic french bread.
• Follow up with your favorite dessert or browse my Sweet & Savory Blog Page for some great suggestions!

Happy Holiday Dining!

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Sweet & Savory Tuesday ~~ Pomegranate Pasta Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 - 15 oz. can tomato sauce or use fresh tomatoes from your garden
• 1 - 6 oz. can tomato paste or use fresh tomatoes from your garden
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 4 cloves diced garlic
• 2 medium sized onions 
• 1 - Tbsp. dried Italian seasoning or use fresh basil, oregano, and rosemary
• 1 - Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 - tsp. salt, optional
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Puree onions in food processor
• If you are using dried herbs for Italian seasoning, grind them in your mortar and pestle

• Combine all ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan
• Stir until smooth
• Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for at least 45 minutes. The longer you allow the sauce to simmer, the better the flavor will be.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Serve with spaghetti noodles or pasta of your choice
• Pair with tossed green salad and garlic french bread

Pomegranates are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. For additional information, here is a link:

https://authoritynutrition.com/12-proven-benefits-of-pomegranate/

I have such fond childhood memories of my maternal grandmother, Lenna Grace, sending a box of yummy pomegranates to our family each year for Thanksgiving.  The area in which she lived was very conducive to growing ones with exceptional color and flavor.

If you happen to give this pasta sauce with a new twist a try, I would love to hear from you.  So would my blog readers!

Happy eating in Pomegranate's Presence.

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Sweet & Savory Thursday: Humdinger Hummus

So is the Chickpea or Garbanzo Bean actually a bean, a pea, or a fruit?  All I know is that it is beyond delicious and does not come from a chicken!  J

               

Sheila’s Humdinger Hummus

• 2 – 15 oz. cans Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
• 2 -  heaping Tbsp. minced garlic
• 3 -  Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 -  Tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 –  tsp. cumin
• ¼   cup water
• 2 – tsp. freshly ground kosher salt, optional
• 2 – Tbsp. hot sauce (I prefer Cajun Sunshine)
• Dust with Hot Hungarian Paprika

Directions:

• Rinse Chickpeas in colander.
• Place all ingredients except paprika inside food processor and blend until smooth.

This scrumptious concoction can be spread on crackers, pizza dough, bread, or veggies.  It can also be added to salads, hamburger patties, or thinned into a sauce to use when preparing other dishes such as hummus and spaghetti noodles.

Question:  What other suggestions do you have for ways in which to prepare or serve hummus? I would enjoy hearing from you.

Happy Reading & Eating!

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