Turkey Meatball Heroes

Ingredients 

1 1/3 lbs. ground turkey 

1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

3/4 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

6 crusty hoagie rolls, about 4oz ea. 6 in. long tops split and inside slightly scooped out. 

3/4 C prepared marinara sauce 

6 slices provolone cheese , about 1 oz ea. 

Directions 

1) Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 15 x 10 in. rimmed baking sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray. 

2) In a large bowl, mix together the turkey, bread crumbs, eggs, parmesan cheese, garlic salt and Italian seasoning until well combined. Form into 24 meatballs, about one well rounded tablespoon each. Place meatballs in the prepared baking pan. Bake, on the middle rack in oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, turning halfway through baking time. Remove meatballs from oven; set oven to broil.

3) Place 4 meatballs inside each roll and spoon 2 tbsp. of sauce over the meatballs. Top each with a slice of cheese. Place sandwiches on a broiler pan and cook on the middle rack of the oven for 3 minutes  or until lightly browned and cheese melts; be sure that rolls do not get too crispy. Serve immediately. 

Prep: 20 minutes

Bake: 375 degrees for 30 minutes

Broil: 3 minutes 

Serves: 6

General Tso's Sweet Chili Chicken Strips

Ingredients 

Sauce: 

1/4 C. Chicken stock

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. vinegar

2 tbsp. sweet chili sauce

1 tsp. vegetable oil

1 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. cornstarch 

Chicken Strips: 

Vegetable oil , for frying

Digital thermometer 

1 boneless skinless chicken breast

1/3 C. buttermilk

1/2 C. flour

1/4 C. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

chopped scallions & sesame seeds , for garnishing (if desired) 

Directions 

For the Sauce: 

1) In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sweet chili sauce, oil, sugar and cornstarch. Bring to a boil and cook for a few minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside. 

For the Chicken: 

1) In a deep large skillet, pour in oil until it is 1/2 in. deep stick the tip of a digital thermometer into the oil and heat until 375 degrees. Line some paper plates with paper towels. 

2) Meanwhile , pour the buttermilk into a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Dip each chicken strip into buttermilk first then into the flour mixture. 

3) When the oil is ready, fry a few strips at a time for a few minutes. (do not overcrowd the skillet). When they are golden brown on the bottom, flip and fry the other side for a few minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oil & drain onto paper towels. Immediately toss into the sauce. Remove from the sauce and place on a regular plate. Repeat with remaining chicken. If the oil drops below 350 degrees, let the oil reheat in between batches. Garnish chicken strips with scallions and sesame seeds. 

Serves : 2

If you want sauce leftover to dip in, double the sauce ingredients than reserve some in a small bowl. 

This is a recipe that you will need to make extra with because of how good it is. You could also omit making the chicken and use frozen chicken strips and just make the sauce to cut down on time if need be.

Garlic Bread Hot Dogs

Ingredients 

1 baguette

3-4 hot dogs

1/4 C. melted butter

2 tbsp. freshly grated parmesan

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tsp. parsley, finely chopped

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

Directions 

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2) Trim ends of baguette, then cut remaining baguette into four even pieces. Using the back of a wooden spoon, hollow out baguette. 

3) Slide hot dogs into baguette and place on a parchment-lined baking  tray. 

4) Mix melted butter with Parm, garlic and parsley and season with salt and pepper. 

5) Brush butter mixture onto baguette. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until hot dogs are cooked and baguette is golden. Serve. 

Prep: 15 minutes

total: 35 minutes 

serves: 4

Cheeseburger Tator Tot Casserole

Ingredients 

2lbs. Ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1/8 C. Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. Steak seasoning 

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 bag tator tots (32oz) 

8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

8 oz. Shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions 

1) Brown the ground beef. Add chopped onions and cook until soft. 

2) Stir in the steak seasoning, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. 

3) Place at the bottom of the greased 9 x 13 baking pan. 

4) Spread out the Monterey jack cheese over the ground beef. 

5) Place one layer of the tator tots over the casserole. 

6) Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes uncovered. 

7) Sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese and put back in the oven until melted. 

8) Serve immediately with your favorite burger toppings. 

9) Add more onions, tomatoes, bacon or pickles. The possibilities are endless. 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 35 minutes 

total: 50 minutes

Serves: 6

Bacon-Covered Meatloaf

Ingredients 

2 lbs. Ground beef

2 eggs

2/3 C. breadcrumbs

salt , pepper and smoked paprika, to taste

9 oz bacon slices

4 oz. mozzarella cheese, chopped

1/2 C. BBQ Sauce

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 320 degrees. 

2) Mix ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs and spices in a large bowl. 

3) Line a 9 x5 in. loaf pan first with parchment paper and then with 2/3 of the bacon, leaving an overhang. 

4) Shape a long log with 2/3 of the meat mixture and fit it inside the loaf pan. Make a groove in the middle and add the mozzarella cheese to it. Cover with the remaining meat mixture. Fold the bacon overhang on top and cover entirely with the remaining 1/3 of the bacon. Spread with 1/3 of the BBQ sauce. 

5) Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Spread with another 1/3 of the BBQ sauce. Continue baking for another 20 minutes. Spread with the remaining sauce and serve hot. 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 60 minutes

Total: 1 hour 15 minutes 

Serves: 8

Parmesan-Breaded Pork Chops

Ingredients 

4 Boneless Pork loin chops (6 oz ea)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 C. Garlic & Herb Bread Crumbs

1/3 C. Shredded Parmesan Cheese

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tbsp. olive oil 

Directions 

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs and cheese. Place eggs in a separate shallow bowl. Dip pork chops in eggs, then in crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere. 

2) In a 10 in. oven proof skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Brown pork chops on both sides. Bake 12-15 minutes or until a thermometer reads 145 degrees. Let stand 5 minutes. 

Start to finish: 25 minutes

Serves: 4

Brown Sugar Pork Chops with Onions

Ingredients 

2 tsp. Vegetable oil

4 Boneless pork rib or loin chops, cut 1/2 to 3/4 in. thick

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 medium onion, halved lengthwise & thinly sliced

1/4 C. Orange Juice

2 tbsp. packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional) 

Directions 

1) In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Sprinkle chops with black pepper. Cook chops in hot oil for 6 to 8 minutes, until slightly pink in center, turning once. Remove chops from skillet; cover and keep warm. 

2) For sauce, in the same skillet cook and stir onion over medium heat about 3 minutes or until tender. Push onion aside. Remove skillet from heat; add orange juice and brown sugar. Return to heat. Cook and stir for 1 minute or until sugar dissolves. Stir onions into sauce. Place a chop on each of the four plates. Top with sauce. If desired, sprinkle each chop with crushed red pepper. 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken

Ingredients

1/2 C. honey

1/3 C. Soy Sauce

1/4 C. lime juice

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Directions

1) In a resealeble plastic bag or shallow glass container, combine the honey, soy sauce and lime juice; mix well. Add chicken and turn to coat. Seal or cover and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes (or longer). Drain and discard marinade. Grill chicken , uncovered, over medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. 

makes: 4 servings