Swedish Meatballs

I do not like gravy, but love this.   Easy and quick to make.  Put it over noodles, mashed potatoes or eat as is.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
*2 tablespoons butter
*1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 1/2 pound ground beef
*1/2 pound ground pork
*3 cloves garlic, minced
*2 large eggs
*1/4 cup whole milk
*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
*1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
*1/3 cup bread crumbs
*3 tablespoon butter
*3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
*2 cups beef stock
*1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
*2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions:
~Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
~Cook and stir onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt in butter until onion begins to turn translucent (about 6 minutes).
~Add garlic to pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring often (be careful not to burn garlic)
~Transfer onion and garlic mixture in to a large mixing bowl and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
~Mix in, eggs, milk, bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian bread crumbs.
~Stir until mixture is mixed well.
~Add ground beef and pork and mix (do not over mix).
~Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
~Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
~Remove mixture from refrigerate and make desired size meatballs (I use a cookie scoop) (if you have wet hands it is easier to form the meatballs).
~Spray a baking pan with cooking spray.
~Place meatballs on baking pan.
~Bake for about 20-25 minutes.
~Remove meatballs from pan and set aside.
~Scrape about 2 tablespoons of the  meat drippings into a large skillet (or use 2 tablespoons butter).
~Over medium heat, whisk flour into drippings/butter and cook until a golden brown (2-4 minutes).
~Slowly whisk beef broth into mixture.
~Turn heat up to medium-high.
~Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper and parsley.
~Stir in milk/heavy cream, and simmer until slightly thickened (4-6 minutes).
~Add meatballs and allow them to cookie the sauce over low heat until warmed through  (5-6 minutes).

Chicken-Mashed Potato Bowl

You can make this with grilled chicken to make it healthier if you choose.  

CHICKEN-MASHED POTATO BOWL
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
*2 cups all purpose flour
*1 teaspoon corn starch
*2 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon paprika
*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
*1/8 teaspoon onion powder
*1 cup butter milk
*1 egg, beaten
*1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
*8 large russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 cup butter,
*1/2 cup whole milk
*2 tablespoons oil (from pan drippings)
*4 tablespoons all purpose flour
*1 ( ounce) can chicken stock
*2 cups frozen corn, heated
*2 cups Colby Jack Cheese

Directions:
~In a pie plate (or shallow dish), whisk egg and buttermilk together and set aside.
~In another pie plate (or shallow dish or zip-loc bag), combine 2 cups flour, corn starch, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and  onion powder.
~Dip chicken into milk mixture and then into flour mixture, making sure all sides are coated.  Repeat and place on a large plate.
~Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1/2 -2 hours.
~In a large cast iron pan (or heavy skillet), heat vegetable oil to 375 degrees.
~Fry chicken until pieces are a golden brown and fully cooked.
~Drain on paper towels and set aside.
~While chicken is in the refrigerator, boil potatoes until they are fork tender.
~Drain water from potatoes.
~Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, butter and milk.
~Mash until potatoes are smooth.
~Keep potatoes covered to stay hot while to fry up the chicken.
~Drain most of the oil into a container, leaving about 2 tablespoons in pan.
~Heat up oil.
~Whisk in four tablespoons flour, until smooth (I like to whisk for about a minute).
~Add chicken stock, and whisk until it thickens, set aside.
~Heat up corn in microwave or stovetop.
~In four good sized bowls, Add a layer of mashed potatoes into bowl, layer of corn, and a layer of chicken.
~Next spoon over your desired amount of gravy.
~Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese and serve while hot (I sometimes will pot it in the oven at 350 for 5-10 minutes).

Roasted Greek Potatoes

I like to make this to go along with spicy chicken kabobs and homemade pita bread.  You can substitute all the spices with 1 tablespoon of  greek seasoning if you choose.

ROASTED GREEK POTATOES
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*1 pound small red potatoes
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*1/8 teaspoon ground rosemary
*1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon dill weed
*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
*1/2 teaspoon dried basil
*1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
*juice of 1 lemon

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
~In a large bowl, mix olive oil, seasonings and juice from lemon.
~Wash potatoes and cut in half.
~Toss potatoes in olive oil mixture, until well coated.
~Place mixture into a oven save pan.
~Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
~Bake for 45 minutes.
~Remove aluminum foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes or until a golden brown.