Its FRIDAY!!!!! wooo hoo!!! Pizza Night

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!!! Friday was always Pizza night at my house growing up and my parents still get order it or I make it for them almost every Friday night!!! I am going to share my mothers famous PIZZA BURGER recipe this week. These are great for a kids birthday party or a super bowl party! You can add whatever you want on them!!! They are very YUM-ME!!!! And so easy.. You can make them up ahead of time and plop them in the oven before serving .. I like them the next day cold too!! You may also prepare them and then freeze them prior to baking. Take them out the morning of the day you want to bake and when you get home from work throw them in the oven! Yahoo!

Here it is!!

Donna's Pizza Burgers

1 lb. ground chuck

1/2 small onion

Brown over medium heat until it isn't pink anymore. Drain. Then add:

1 jar pizza sauce Simmer for 15- 20 minutes.

Top with whatever veggies you like. I like to use peppers and olives. Top with mozzarella cheese. Then top with baby pepperoni. Bake 20 minutes at 325* or until the cheese is melted and the burgers are heated through!

Mangia!~

Have a great weekend!

Taco Thursdays!!!

Taco Thursdays means I am going to share a Mexican Recipe!

If you have not visited Taste of Homes website or buy their cookbook mags you are missing out... well not really because I can tell you all about them on here. I think we have made almost everything!!! Anyway we made this for my cousin, Shannon's b-day party last year and it was a big hit.. This is something different. I was surprised at the great flavor this had... It was yum-me!!!!

Here it is....

• Prep: 25 min. Bake: 70 min. + standing
• Yield: 12 Servings

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Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
• 1 can (16 ounces) mild chili beans, undrained
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Mexican stewed tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1-1/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1-1/4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup 4% cottage cheese
• 1-1/4 cups sour cream, divided
• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked, rinsed and drained

Directions

• In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, salsa, chilies and seasonings.
• In a large bowl, combine Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheeses; set aside 1 cup. Stir cottage cheese and 3/4 cup sour cream into remaining cheese mixture.
• Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Layer with three noodles, and a third of the cottage cheese mixture and meat sauce. Repeat layers twice (dish will be full).
• Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Uncover; spread with remaining sour cream. Sprinkle with reserved cheeses. Bake 10-12 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Mangia!~

Originally published as Fiesta Lasagna in Taste of Home December/January 2008, p38

Wacky Wednesday!

Hello!! It is Wacky Wednesday!!!! Today is the day for my fav appetizers. Appetizers were my favorite thing to make for years! So I will share one of my most favorite one's to make! Layered Taco Dip!!! There are so many different versions of this and I have made them all. Throughout the year I will try and post the different ones!

1st. Layer- 1 large can refried Beans. Spread on a platter.

2 nd Layer- 1 24 oz. container of sour cream mixed with 1 packet of taco seasoning.

3rd layer- Any veggies that you like, I like to use, green pepper, red pepper, black olives, green olives, red onion, green onion and lettuce. Sometimes I just add what I have in the refrigerator. Top with shredded cheddar. You can add chopped tomatoes to the top but do that right before you serve your dip because it will get really watery!

Happy Wacky Wednesday!!

Mangia!~

Happy Soup/Salad Tuesday!

It is Soup/Salad Tuesday.. you know I never liked soup before. In fact I am not a fan of hot drinks, hot soups or anything actually really steamy hot. I went to lunch with a guy from work to a cafe that serves soups, salads and sandwiches. It is exactly what I have always wanted for my own. They also have a little dessert section. And of course they serve Coca-Cola products so it is a win win. Today I am going to share a yummy soup recipe with you. It is Broccoli Cheese Soup! I have been trying different recipes and now I finally found one that I liked.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

3 cups frozen broccoli

1 small onion, chopped fine

1 stalk celery, chopped fine

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups milk

1 cup flour

3 cups shredded cheddar

2 T. Oleo

3 cloves garlic, pressed

In a stockpot melt oleo. Add onion and celery cook until tender. Add garlic, cook for a minute. Add broccoli. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook until broccoli is tender. In a separate bowl mix flour and milk. This will thicken your soup. Add to soup and mix together. Add shredded cheddar. Stir until melted. Take off heat and stir gently. Add salt and pepper to taste! YUM-ME!

Mangia!~

1st Marvelous Monday Meal

Happy Marvelous Monday Meal!!!!!!!!!

Monday's will represent my favorite meals. Today we had Stuffed Zucchini and Potato Kuegel. This was simply yummy!!! I think this is my newest favorite meal! We got these recipes from the Taste of home!! They have the best recipes!!! This was so easy and you can make it ahead. I thought that I wouldn't be satisfied with this meal but it was AMAZING!!!!!

Stuffed Zucchini

9-10 ServingsPrep: 15 min. Bake: 45 min.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, minced
• 1-1/4 cups soft bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce, divided
• 2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 4 to 5 medium zucchini
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine first 11 ingredients and one can of the
• tomato sauce; mix well. Stir in tomatoes. Halve zucchini lengthwise;
• scoop out seeds. Fill with meat mixture; place in two 13-in. x 9-in.
• baking dishes. Spoon remaining tomato sauce over each.
• Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 45 minutes or until the zucchini is
• tender. Sprinkle with cheese during the last few minutes of baking.
• Yield: 8-10 servings.

Swiss Potato Kugel

9 ServingsPrep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min.

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cups shredded or diced cooked peeled potatoes (about 4 medium)
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup half-and-half cream
• Tomato slices and fresh thyme, optional

Directions

• In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Remove from
• the heat; add potatoes. Toss cheese with flour, salt and pepper; add
• to skillet and blend well. In a small bowl, combine the eggs and
• cream. Stir in the potato mixture. Spoon into a greased 9-in. square
• baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-30 minutes or until
• golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes; cut into squares. Garnish with
• tomato and thyme if desired. Yield: 9 servings.

Editor's Note: The recipe can be prepared the day before, covered and refrigerated overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!!!

This is a new year of new organization, new blogging, new health and new MANGIA!~

First I will talk about ORGANIZATION~

I have spent days on the DUNGEON OFFICE. I think I have it set up how I want it now. It seems like that I have to keep up with organization. I cannot stand piles of cook books and papers. Clutter clutter clutter.. I also really organized my baking supplies. I bought some of those tubs and now everything is separated by holiday!! That has helped a lot of space issues!

Secondly, I will talk about New HEALTH~

It is a new year and everyone always starts the new year with a resolution. Mine is always the same thing. I would love to lose weight. Everyone is different. Some peeps can do a lo-fat diet. Some can do just reducing less snacking. And some have to watch carbs. I fall into the carb spot. You probably wouldn't believe it if I told you all the delicious things that I make I really do not eat. I have my family be the taste testers. My downfall is bread, pasta and potatoes. And by potatoes I mean in any form baked, mashed or chipped. And it makes it really hard to not have pasta and bread when you are doing this 'new form of eating'. So what do I do, well first of all you have to make a plan. My plan is to go to Easter and see what is happening. Last year I lasted 4 months. Next what is it going to consist of? Well when you go to the doc they tell you that your plate should be half greens, 1/4 lean protein and 1/4 starch. So I thought I am going to have whatever GOD made us. So Fruit, veggies, meat and potatoes. And by potatoes, he didn't make the chipped kind so it counts those out!~ And no POP, what am I going to do??? Well no regular pop. I love regular COKE>>> I asked my dad where he was going today he said 7-11! I said get me a diet coke!!!! He is a good dad he brought me 2~ I love him so much!! He is the best!! What else can I have besides water? POWEADE ZERO! This is the best thing that Coke has ever invented! Contains the right about of electrolytes to replenish your system and yes, it has no CARBS!!! It comes in lots of yummy flavors, my fav is Grape Zero!

If anyone is interested in the plan, send me a message and I will share with you via e-mail.~

New Blogging~ and New Mangia!~

Well I have been wanting to do this for a long time but it seemed that I was working so much and then baking so much I didn't have time for the blog. Well I have it on the resolution list. Starting today we are doing a new blog with recipes and pics.!!! Maybe someday I will finish my COOKBOOK!~

So the new week will begin on Sundays. Sundays should be the day that you set your plan for the week and I will have some make a head meals to help you plan as well. Looking into some healthy desserts too. I will still have my holiday boxes too for those that want to give as gifts or enjoy eating it yourself.

You will notice I have a new background and header for my blog!!! Trying to stay up with the times!!!!

So Now the new Mangia!~ begins

Magnificent Mondays- This will be my favorites recipes from my favorite dinners

Soupy and/ or salad Tuesdays.- Soups, chowders and chilis or some amazing salad recipes

Wacky Wednesday.- Left overs from Sundays.... what if you didn't have any left overs? then this is what we call a pick me up. It is a PBJ day or Wendys or you are on your own! So I will post wonderful appetizer recipes this day!!!

Taco Thursdays- Mexican flare recipes

Holy Cow it is Friday, Thank goodness~!--- Pizza night.

Saturday...we do not cook on Saturdays... What should you do?? well you should have some left overs or take the time to take your loved one to dinner. I don't want to hear about no money issue either. There are lots of great deals and out there and you do not have to eat at the most expensive place ether. For the most part this is dinner at Wendy's after church! So I will make this the something sweet day!!! Desserts, cakes or cookies!!!

Sunday home cooked dinners---YUMish! --

Happy New Year~!

Mangia sano! ( eat healthy)

Kris

For the dieters on Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I am thankful for many things. Family and friends are at the top of my list. I am also thankful to everyone that has helped make Mangia!~ a success! Thanks for all your business! Here is a twist to all the postings I do with treats on them! This should help you stay on track today! Do you know that the average person consumes 4,000 calories today? Have a wonderful day!!!!

Smart Strategies for Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving from Mangia!~ Having a plan to help you avoid overdoing it at the dining table today is a good idea, but there's one strategy that's actually a recipe for failure: fasting before the big meal. Total deprivation leads to extreme hunger, cravings, and, inevitably, overeating at mealtime — Fortunately, there are better tactics you can use to sidestep overeating on Thanksgiving and throughout the year. Here are a few to keep in mind:

1. Eat healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Enjoy full and nutritious –friendly meals at breakfast and lunch, opting for healthy foods like lean protein, wholesome veggies, nutrient-dense fruits and whole grains (on Phases 2 and 3), good fats from foods like nuts and extra-virgin olive oil, and low-fat or fat-free dairy. As always, don't forget to include your strategic mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. The trick is to continue eating as close to your normal schedule as possible so that you arrive at the holiday meal no hungrier than usual. With hunger pangs at bay, you'll be better able to pass up sugary and starchy carbs and bad fats (like butter) and choose friendly foods (like lean skinless turkey breast and plenty of vegetables) instead.

2. Engage in physical activity. Your appetite is suppressed immediately following exercise. Working in some exercise also helps keep blood sugar levels in the normal range, which curbs cravings. So take a brisk walk around your neighborhood before heading off to your holiday dinner or before your guests arrive.

3. Enlist help. A like-minded spouse, relative or friend can motivate you to stick with the lifestyle changes you've made during the holidays. He or she can be the friendly voice inside your head — or online or on the telephone — that reminds you to stay on course. At the very least, your "helper" can encourage you to get back on track should you stray

   4.Allow yourself a few indulgences. Go ahead and have a small slice of traditional pumpkin pie, a few pieces of dark chocolate, or whatever family favorite you look forward to during the holidays. you can — and should — enjoy the occasional treat. Just be sure to enjoy a small portion, savor every bite, and get back to following your meal plan first thing in the morning.