Week 8 Saturday (3/1/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Rigatoni and Meatballs

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 126 - 129      Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 476 calories per serving, if 12 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         Well, thanks to this recipe I now know I need another small appliance. I used to have this super blender that doubled as a food processor. Of course that little item was purchased in the 70’s, which is sad and pitiful to admit to the general public. Yes – it barely works now in 2014. Sad but true – it needs to go to the big graveyard in the dump. Thanks to a recent purchase of the Nutra Bullet for my morning smoothies, I was able to complete this recipe. Of course I did have to use it three separate times to pulse the amount of bread pieces required, so a full size food processor is in my future. I can’t say that I am unhappy to have an excuse to shop at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

         Okay, back to the real point of this recipe. Rigatoni and Meatballs was “truly scrumptious” (Yes, that was a reference to an old favorite Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang for you old timers). The meatballs had a good flavor and were large and filling. The pasta and sauce were great. This was pretty quick to make and it was worth it. I had this dish for lunch on several days and was really full under dinnertime.  Now that is a great recipe!

Today’s critics: 

         Brandy:  - yummy! Love rigatoni, and the meatballs were full of flavor. We liked it a lot!

Random Reflections

         I am writing this entry on Presidents’ Day (February 17, 2014).  The snow is once again falling and it is quiet, peaceful and beautiful.  Unfortunately, we have had so much snow that I am having trouble appreciating the beauty and serenity.  I am one of those people who truly loves winter in Illinois.  In the past, it has been the time when I get a lot accomplished in the house.

         This winter has been very different from those in the past.  I have been consumed with this blog, which is really a lot of fun and work to tell the truth. I also spend a lot of time outside shoveling or snow blowing – but this is just part of our climate.  Oh well, I’m going to stop complaining and just take a breath and enjoy the beauty of the day.

Can you believe the snow is higher than my raised deck???

Helpful Home Hints

         I had the interior of my house professionally painted about 15 years ago. I have a trick that I use to keep my walls in pristine condition. After I paint a room, I put the remaining paint in small jelly-size jar and it seals up nice and tight and keeps the paint fresh. About once a month or two, I take the jar and a small sponge brush and touch up any nicks or scratches. This only takes about 15 minutes, but it can help you avoid a large painting expense.

         The only room I need to repaint is the bedroom. This room is a challenge because the touch-up plan doesn’t work in there. The dogs lean up against the walls as they sleep and the oil from their coat is on the wall. Unfortunately, the touch-up doesn’t work against “dog oil.” I guess any plan is not full proof.