Tuesday's Tip of the Day ~Taking your Grilled Burgers to the Next Level

Everyone loves Hamburgers on the Grill.

Instead of the plain white burger buns,

serve your burgers on a Focaccia loaf.

This one is Olive Oil and Rosemary.

Or on this Ciabatta loaf.

They are "take and bake".

Then, you can slice the loaf into individual portions.

Brush a little olive oil on top.

Bake according to package directions,

and it is a beautiful golden brown.

(It's usually about 8 minutes)

Look for this or a similar brand at your supermarket.

I put the bread in the oven...

when hubby takes our hamburgers out to the grill.

Cook hamburger until desired degree of doneness.

We prefer medium rare.

This one is topped with shredded Swiss cheese.

Our favorite is provolone with sauteed mushrooms,

on the Olive Oil & Rosemary Focaccia.

Enjoy!

Lasagna in the Crockpot ~Old Farmhouse Style

Old Farmhouse Lasagna

1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 lb. Italian sausage

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (24 oz.) prepared spaghetti sauce

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

fresh oregano & basil or 1/2 tsp. each of dried

15 oz. ricotta cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2 sprigs fresh parsley

1 egg

6 - 8 lasagna noodles

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian blend

In a medium skillet, brown the beef or turkey, 

 Italian sausage, onion. and garlic.

Drain any grease that has accumulated in the pan.

Add the sauces and herbs.

Simmer until warm. 

Stir together the Ricotta, parmesan cheese, 

egg, and fresh parsley.

Spoon a layer of meat sauce into the bottom of your crockpot.

Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit.

(this will be our secret, as no one will see the broken noodles)

Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture on the noodles,

and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Repeat the layers.

Make sure you end with sauce and cheese.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Everyone's crockpot is different.

Adjust your cooking time and amount of liquid used

according to your personal preference.

Sloppy Joes ~My Mom's Recipe

Sloppy Joes

1/2 cup onion, minced

1/4 cup green or red pepper, diced

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1 lb. ground beef, browned

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1/4 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup catsup

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

I use half turkey and half beef...

it is your preference.

Brown the ground meat together in your skillet, 

breaking it into bite size pieces.  

Cook until no pink remains.

While the meat is cooking, chop your vegetables.

Drain the browned meat in a colander.

Saute the onions, peppers and celery in the same pan.

To the meat and vegetables, add the rest of the ingredients.

Simmer approximately 1 hour...

or until the desired consistency.

Serve on a bun with your favorite sides.

Lasagna Soup in the Crockpot

1 pound ground beef

1 pound Italian sausage

1 medium onion

3-4 cloves garlic

2 tsp. dried basil

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. dried parsley flakes

1 can (24 oz) prepared pasta sauce

1 box (32 oz) chicken broth

1 can (15 oz) stewed tomatoes

6 to 8 lasagna noodles

salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef and Italian sausage. Drain off the grease.

Add to your crockpot with the pasta sauce, 

stewed tomatoes and broth.  (Beef broth is good too!)

Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and seasonings.

Cook on high for 4 hours.

About an hour before you are ready to serve, 

add the broken lasagna noodles.

(You may need to add some water.)

Top with shredded Mozzarella or Parmesan Cheese.

Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 ribs celery, chopped

2 carrots, shredded

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried parsley flakes

3 to 4 cups chicken broth

1  12 oz. can evaporated milk

3 cups frozen hash browns

1/2 tsp. paprikia

1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce

1 tbsp. yellow mustard

1/8 tsp. black pepper

8 oz. cubed cheese (Velveeta)

for garnish

additional cheese

sour cream

hamburger dills

Gather ingredients.

Brown ground beef, drain and set aside.

Chop vegetables. Saute onion, garlic, carrots, celery, 

basil and parsley until tender, about 10 minutes.

Place in the bottom of your slowcooker.

Add the browned ground beef to your slowcooker.

Add the broth, evaporated milk, potatoes, and pepper.

Cook on low for approx. 4 hours.

Times may vary depending on your crockpot/slowcooker.

Stir in the cubed cheese and continue cooking until it melts.

The hamburger dills are the perfect garnish!

Slowcooker Taco Soup

2 pounds ground beef

2 medium onions, diced

1 cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 can red beans, drained and rinsed

1 can light kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can stewed tomatoes

2 cans diced tomatoes

2 cans diced green chilies

1 can black olives, drained and sliced

1 pkg. taco seasoning mix

1 pkg. ranch salad dressing mix

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet. Drain. Place in the lined slowcooker.  Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chilies, olives, and seasonings. 

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, 

cheese, green onions and jalapenos.