Spaghetti made for kids.

*Spaghetti made for kids.*

1 pound/box of penne or any short uncooked pasta
*Cook like you would pasta, remember to salt the water and drain 1-2 minutes before it’s fully cooked (or as they say al dente), and keep ½ cup to 1 cup of pasta water liquid.*
1 pound ground beef
1 medium size onion, diced
2-4 cloves of garlic (depends on your liking), diced
Red wine vinegar
Mushrooms (optional, I usually put them in but this time I didn’t have any)
1 big can of crushed tomatoes
Red pepper flakes
Canola oil
Salt and pepper

I use 93/7 Lean ground beef (or leaner if I can find) so I don’t have to cook before I start so that I can drain all the fat/oil.

Ok yes I said spaghetti, but kids have little fingers and this is way easier for them to eat. Plus trying to cut long spaghetti is a pain in the you know what. I just use what ever short pasta I have.

Heat up canola in a skillet on medium heat. When oil is hot drop in onions and garlic and some salt to draw out the moisture in the onions (keep your eye on it to make sure the garlic doesn’t burn, if burns restart over and clean everything you used. Burnt garlic is very bitter). This is the time you would put the mushrooms in, or any other veggies you like (sometimes I put carrots or bell peppers), but this time I didn’t have any. When onions are translucent add red pepper flakes and red wine vinegar (or red wine if you like, I’m not big on wine) and deglaze the pan.

After add the ground beef, break up using a spoon, and keep stirring until cooked.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and season the sauce with salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. If you see that the sauce is to think you can add the pasta water you saved until you get the sauce that way you like it. Some people like thick sauce and some like a watery sauce.

Add the cooked pasta with the sauce and toss for a minute.

Plate and enjoy.

Don’t forget the parmesan cheese.

Healthy Shake Kids Love

*SHAKE RECIPE*

-Frozen fruit: strawberries, peaches, mango's (you can use what ever frozen fruit you like and use and much or as little as you like)
-1 Banana

-8 ozs of 2% milk

-2-3 spoonfuls of low fat Yogurt (whatever flavor you like, I use vanilla)

*do not use ice, the frozen fruit will act as your ice.*

Blend all together and enjoy.

Tamale Meatballs

This is one of the recipes I got from that Jiffy cookbook I requested from there website. Overall this recipe was a success, could be tweaked a little but over all very good. It tasted like a meatball, enchiladas, and tamale rapped up in a little ball.

*Tamale Meatballs*
(40-45 Meatballs)
~I got about 25 meatballs but I was making it for dinner not an appetizer~

1 pkg. "JIFFY" Corn Muffin Mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 cans (10 oz.) enchilada sauce (red or green, whatever you like)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. diced onion
dash pepper
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 tsp. garlic powder
2-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese ( used shaped cheddar)
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Preheat oven to 400º , grease 8" square pan.

Blend corn muffin mix, 1 egg and milk until well mixed. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cool and crumble. Reduce oven to 350º. Combine cornbread, 1 egg, 1/2 cup enchilada sauce, salt, diced onion, pepper, ground beef and garlic powder, mix well. Shape into 1" balls and place in 13"x9" baking pan. Bake uncovered 35 minutes . In a sauce pan, heat remaining enchilada sauce. Top cooked meatballs with sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven until cheese melts. ~I made it with rice and beans~

Meatballs Made With Applesauce.

Meatballs made with applesauce.

This recipe will make the meatballs really tender and it will also give your kids another serving of fruits. The applesauce will replace the eggs. 1/4th cup of plain applesauce will replace 1 egg.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 ½ pounds ground beef, room temperature
½ cup of Italian bread crumbs
¼ cup of applesauce
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of canola oil
½ cup of parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons of grill seasoning, I use a spicy blend since I like a little heat.
Salt and pepper

Put the meat, bread crumbs, applesauce, garlic, canola oil, cheese, grill seasoning, and salt & pepper in a large bowl. Mix meat and form balls about 1 inch in size. Place on a cookie sheet that you have sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Place in oven for 25-30 minutes and if you like a more crispy meatball cook for 30-35 minutes. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce for spaghetti or some meatball subs.

I hope you enjoy this healthy version of meatballs that you can serve your kids.