When I am looking for a dinner recipe that is quick, easy, and cheap, pizza burgers come to mind.  They come to mind when I am not looking for that kind of recipe, too, because they are just that good.

When I was growing up in Pennsylvania we used to go to this pizza place that was called Frankie and Johnny’s.  I don’t remember a whole lot about it except that the seats were blue vinyl, it smelled heavenly, and they had the best hoagies, pizza, and pizza burgers in the known universe.

One thing that you may not realize is that pizza sauce is different in different parts of the country.  I have lived on both coasts as well as in the middle, and there is no pizza sauce anywhere like what you get in the Philadelphia area.  I don’t care what anyone says.  The sauce in Texas is too bland, in Chicago it is too sweet, and in California it is too…sophisticated.  I love the heavy-oregano-sweet peppers-anise-spicy-tomato flavor of East coast pizza.

I never could replicate it just right and I never seemed to be able to find a canned sauce that was right…until I tried Newman’s Own Sockarooni Pasta Sauce.  Wow.

This is the real deal.  A lot of times if I don’t have time to make sauce this is what I use, it is perfect for pizza…and pizza burgers.

Oh yeah.  Pizza burgers. ahem…..Pizza burgers are like Sloppy Joes but not.  The sauce is a tangy pizza sauce (perfectly reproduced by the aforementioned sauce) and then you melt mozzarella over the top.  Add some chips or fries and you have an awesome, quick, easy and cheap dinner.  If you have time try serving these on homemade hamburger buns, and add garlic powder in with the salt when you are making the dough.  Yum.

Pizza Burgers

• 2 lbs of  lean ground beef, browned and drained.
• I jar Newmans Own Sockarooni Pasta Sauce
• 8 hamburger buns
• 1 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese (depends on how much cheese you like) OR 8 slices provolone

1. Pour the sauce over the cooked meat.
2. Spoon the mixture on a large hamburger bun.
3. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese or lay a slice of provolone over the top.
4. Put under the broiler just to melt the cheese.
5. Put the other half of the bun on top and eat when hot.

Serves 8

Image:Marye Audet (c)2009

Post from: Baking Delights

So, as you may have seen I have been getting a lot of cool stuff to review lately.  One of the items that I was asked to review was ProBugs Organic Whole Milk Kefir by LifeWay.

This is a whole milk product, aimed at kids.  It comes in a no spill pack and in some pretty darn amazing flavors.  Flavors that make adults go…”EWWW” and kids go..”AWESOME!”.

Flavors like:

• Goo-Berry Pie
• Orange Creamy Crawler
• Sublime Slime Lime

You know how they always say that a picture is worth a thousand words? Here are a few words for ya… Think he liked it?

It is organic, healthy, and my kids love it.  That is the best recommendation I can give. 

images: (c) marye audet 2009

Post from: Baking Delights

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my kids? How proud I am of them? I see other kids all the time and I am amazed at how much older (and settled) my kids seem to be than they are.

I am really not sure why.  Maybe it has to do with being raised in a big family and having lots of responsibility.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that, although I am easy going Marc and I have very high standards for our kids. I don’t know, I really don’t. 

Since Marc got sick and I have had to work (at home) they have risen to the occasion.  Matthew (16) takes care of the outside chores; cleaning the barns, milking, grooming, feeding livestock, repairing fences, keeping inventory on the feed.  He is doing dual credits this year, getting his college english, history, and math credits. He splits wood in his spare time for our winter heat. He works on JBQ (a competitive Bible quiz thing the three little ones are involved in) 30 minutes a day with Sean, Nick, and Kyrie.  He also gives incredible foot massages.  Ethan (14)mows the lawn, helps in the house, and does Bible with the 3 youngest kids.  He also takes a turn at cooking as needed. AND gives great shoulder massages.  Shiloh (12) handles science with the three younger kids, handles meals as needed, and is a huge help with Kyrie (5).  Sean, Nick, and Kyrie have chores too, from cleaning the kitchen to cleaning kitty litter and all of them help to keep the house up.

When Marc and I have to be at the VA for the day, like today,  my kids run the show here at home, not only getting their schoolwork done but also handling meals, livestock feeding and cleaning. Totally without supervision.

And in all of that they find time to help others.  My sons have been known to help neighbors paint their homes an patch their roofs when they have free time. Shiloh never fails to visit our elderly neighbors every week, taking them a dozen eggs from our hens and often homemade bread she makes herself…or cookies…or…and spending an hour or so talking to them and hugging on them.   My kids work in kids church, nursery, and act as camp counselors.

And they find time to refill my coffee cup, or ice water and ask me if I need anything.

In a phrase, they are not self involved. They are mature.  They make more mature decisions than a lot of adults I know. Perfect? No.  Geeky? Nope.  They are all pretty popular with their peers.

Anyway, what has this to do with Baking Delights?

Marc and I left for the VA at 8:30 this morning.  We never know exactly when we will get back.  Today it was 4 p.m. Shiloh made black eyed peas and rice for lunch as I had asked her to but she also wanted to treat the boys so she made………

All by herself.  Perfect.  Chewy crust, tender crumb……

And she cleaned up the mess. She is 12 years old.  TWELVE.

I walked in the door and the hall and stairs were vacuumed (thanks Matt!),  the house was picked up (thanks guys!), and everything was in order.  Someone even made my bed.

I love my kids.

Post from: Baking Delights

Chef Kyrie got a set of metal play pans. I had meant to get her a wooden stove/oven combo but finances just wouldn’t allow it so I hoped that she would be pleased with the pans and imaginary stove.

Apparently she was. Of all my kids I think this one is a born foodie.

Post from: Baking Delights

What are age appropriate activities for two years old and under?

A child two years old or less can be part of the fun in the kitchen He can stir ingredients, get things with help, and wipe off the table. Even just giving him a bowl of water and a whisk and allowing him to be part encourages a love for cooking. He can clean vegetables, and arrange snacks like sliced apples on plates. This is a great age to introduce things like edible play-do.

What are age appropriate activities for three to four year olds?

Three and four year olds are big enough to do all of the things they could do at two and they can also knead bread dough, help roll out pie crust and cookies, cut cookies with a cookie cutter, pour the ingredients from the measuring cup into the bowl, set the table, and help clear the dishwasher. He can shape dough into simple rolls, help wash dishes, and make some simple snacks for himself, like peanut butter and celery dips.

What are age appropriate activities for five to six year olds ?

As children get older they like to make their own decisions. Five and six year olds can help choose the menu and the food at the store, they can fix their own sandwiches, like polka dotted peanut butter & raisin, and they can decorate cookies with frosting. They can peel eggs and some fruits, and can crack eggs into the batter.

What are age appropriate activities for seven to ten year olds?

Your seven to ten year old can read a recipe, use the microwave, exhibit a good understanding of kitchen safety, make a simple meal by himself, and make bar cookies by himself with supervision. By now your child is developing a natural understanding of how cooking works.

What are age appropriate activities for eleven year olds and up?

At this age your child is ready to learn serious cooking. Yeast breads, pie crusts, sponge cakes, and savory meats are all waiting to be experimented with and tried. Allow him to explore his interests in the kitchen.

Post from: Baking Delights

This is the description from, Cooking.com

Sassafras Kids’ Mini Fairy Princess Magic Kit:
Sassafras mini kits are an offshoot of their deluxe boxed baking kits and include the necessities to create delicious cookies.

Kit includes:

Now, this is Kyrie. She is 4. As you can imagine, being the youngest of 8 means that you get lots of attention. Kyrie Grace believes, without a doubt that she is a princess.

Is that a match made in heaven, or what? I mean look at her, you can see that she lives for fairy dust sprinkles, can’t you? The cookie mix turns PINK for goodness sake! This is from a company called sassafras kids. They have a ton of other really cute kids cookery things, from pizza kits to cookie kits. I could not resist this one, and wanted to share. I was thinking it would be perfect to make those cookies for tea parties !

Post from: Baking Delights