. . . is a MEAL.

That’s how the old slogan goes. And we decided to test it out.

It’s so easy to make this Sloppy Joe recipe, even a monkey could do it. Although, for liability reasons, you really wouldn’t want a monkey messing around in your kitchen.

Just brown a pound of ground beef in a skillet until it’s no longer pink and drain.

Then, mix in a can of Manwich and stir until it’s mixed through and hot.

Serve the mixture on hamburger buns and you’re done!

Sandy toasted our buns in a little butter on a skillet, but she’s like that. She has to go and make absolutely EVERY meal extra delicious.

Did I mention Cheetos were on the menu too? Who doesn’t like a Cheeto every now and then?

This was such a quick and easy lunch and it was a big hit for us beef-eaters. My eight-year-old nephew ate two of them.

Does that make him a REAL MAN now?

For that matter, if I ate one does that make ME a man?

I’m so confused . . .

Top photo and recipe courtesy of ConAgraFoods.com.

We’re smack dab in the middle of “entertaining season.” Are you lucky enough to be the entertainer soon?

This recipe is one of my absolute, all-time favorite appetizers. Whenever I serve Swedish meatballs they seem to disappear as fast as I can put them out.

And someone who shall remain nameless has been known to make an entire meal of these a time or two.

They’re that good.

Just look at them!

It is perfectly acceptable for these beauties to be a meal, especially when served over egg noodles.

I, however, have eaten approximately 32 meatballs at a party — each with a tiny toothpick in it that I had to first pull out.

Something tells me those were not meant to be dinner.

However you serve them, try this recipe and don’t make fun of your guests for hogging them. That’s what they’re for!

Swedish Meatballs

(Serves 6)

1 lb. Ground Beef

1 Cup Bread Crumbs

2 Cups Heavy Cream

2 Eggs

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 pinch ground clove

1 Medium Onion, minced

2 Cups Beef Broth

2 Tbsp. Flour

2 Tbsp. Butter

In a heavy bottom skillet, sweat the onion in the butter and reserve.  In a stand mixers bowl, add cream and bread crumbs and let sit for fifteen minutes.  Add eggs, nutmeg, clove and beef and onions and mix thoroughly until the mixture gets sticky, about five minutes.  Shape the mixture into golf ball sized meatballs and cook in the skillet over low heat until all of the meatballs are nicely browned.  Remove from pan and set aside.  Add flour to pan and cook for five minutes.  Slowly stir in beef broth with a whisk to avoid any lumps and cook for fifteen minutes.  Add Cream and reduce by one third.  Add meatballs and cook for twenty minutes.  Serve over buttered egg noodles.

Photo courtesy of rd.com.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful . . . so let’s do what we can to make our homes warm and cozy.

A big part of that is making great meals that fill our tummies and warm us up. This chili recipe is great to have on hand when you have lots of company at your house for days at a time. Whenever someone is hungry they can just heat themselves up a bowl, grab some crackers, grate some cheese on top and have at it!

Also, be on the lookout for some ingredients here you might not have thought of . . . they’re spectacular.

Vidalia Chili

(Serves eight)

1 lb. Vidalia Sweet Onion Ground Beef

3 Cloves Garlic, crushed

2 Jalapeno Peppers, seeded and chopped

1 large Can Crushed Tomatoes

2 oz. Mexican Chocolate (or 2 Tbsp. Baking Cocoa)

3 Tbsp. Chile Powder

2 Tbsp. Ground Cumin

1 Can Black Beans

1 Can Pinto Beans

1 Can Kidney Beans

Salt and Pepper to taste

Over medium heat, in a heavy bottomed pot, cook the ground beef until done and strain off grease.  Add jalapeno and garlic and cook for five minutes.  Add chocolate, cumin and chile powder and cook for five more minutes.  Add tomatoes and beans and cover with water, season with salt and pepper.  Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low.  Cook for 1 hour, or until thickened.

I get my Vidalia Sweet Onion Ground Beef here.  It has amazing flavor and it gives this chili that extra taste that makes it special.

Enjoy!