Baked Italian Meatballs from Author Nancy Lee Badger

Ground Hog Day is February 2nd. That's a bittersweet day for our family because my darling dad died on that day in 2019. 

He loved my mom's meatballs, as my two sisters and I do, but they lived in Florida and we are in Raleigh, North Carolina so I had to learn to bake my own. 

I make my meatballs smaller than mom, which makes them last longer (I think so). Mom taught me that the secret to a healthy alternative is to bake them. This is better for you and your loved ones than frying them in oil. Finish in a slow-cooker. Over the years, I have tweaked the portions, but this will make  about four-dozen (depends on how small you roll them!)

Nancy's Italian Meatballs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a rack inside a cookie sheet with edges to collect the grease. Spray rack with PAM and line cookie sheet with foil for quicker clean-up. If you do not plan to freeze the baked meatballs, pull out the slow-cooker and a jar of sauce.

2 lbs. 80% hamburger or chuck

2 eggs

3/4 Cups Italian bread crumbs

1/2 Cup shredded parmesan cheese

diced yellow onion (optional)

salt & pepper to taste

oregano & parsley for color

chopped garlic (optional)

Wash your hands well and have a hand towel or paper towels nearby, because this is the messy part. Combine all ingredients in a very large bowl. Form balls by rolling the meat mixture one at a time in your palms. Mine are from 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on rack with a little bit of space between each meatball and each row. I sometimes need two pans and racks. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. If going in the slow-cooker, use tongs to transfer them. Add sauce and I cook mine on high for about 4 hours then turn them down to low until dinner.

The meatballs can be frozen for later. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely then place in freezer bags. They can go from the freezer to the slow-cooker on low, but will take a little longer.

These baked meatballs contain protein, calcium, and veggies from the sauce. They make a healthy alternative to heavy take-out meals. Split a sub roll, add a slice of mozzarella, toast it, then add the meatballs and sauce for a filling treat at dinner time. 

Entertainment during this pandemic is also healthy to a person's well-being so remember to READ BOOKS. 

For quick, romantic, hot, and adventurous stories that my dad enjoyed, try DRAGON BITES. This book contains three of my dragon-shifter novellas.

Find all ebook Buy Links HERE

Ham-Spinach Quiche & a Book from Nancy Lee Badger

The United States of America had an inauguration the other day, welcoming in the new president, vice president, and cabinet. Some folks are celebrating this event all week. Others, have protested, rioted, or sued our government, but we hopefully are past all that.

Whatever happens now is a little scary, but at least the political calls, mailers, and TV ads have ceased.

Hubby and I watch TV for entertainment during this lengthy pandemic. However, reading a book or listening to an audio book while I bake is better. Since going to the food store is still off-putting, I searched my recipe box (yes, I have two in the cupboard) then scoured the frig, freezer, and pantry for just the right ingredients to make:

Nancy's Ham & Spinach Quiche

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F and gather:

Pastry for 9 inch pie (I use a frozen pie shell)

1/2 Cup cooked chopped spinach, drained

1/4 Cup chopped yellow onion (optional)

1/2 Cup lightly chopped mushrooms (optional)

Two 7 in. by 4 in. slices of Swiss cheese

4.5oz. Can flaked Ham (like Hormel) or cooked ham chunks

3 eggs, beaten

1 Cup Half & Half

2 Tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

aluminum foil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place pie pan on a cookie sheet with edges, to catch possible spills. Place cheese in bottom of pie shell. Its okay to chop them smaller. Sprinkle with spinach, onions, mushrooms, and ham. In a bowl, mix Half & Half, eggs, flour, and salt and whisk until fairly smooth. There will be a few lumps. Pour into pie evenly. 

Cut foil into three two-inch wide strips and cover the crust's edges to keep them from burning. Bake about 40-45 minutes or until the center looks solid and an inserted knife comes out semi-clean. Let stand about 10 minutes, then move pan to a wire rack. Cover with foil and refrigerate when cool.

This quiche has protein, calcium, veggies and is a healthy alternative to heavy take-out meals. Entertainment during this pandemic is also healthy to a person's well-being so remember to READ BOOKS. 

For a quick, romantic, hot, and adventurous story, check out Shimmer: The Beginning.

Find all ebook Buy Links HERE 

Please check out the rest of the series!

Banana-Walnut Bread & a Book from Nancy Lee Badger

What do you do when bananas turn brown? You bake with them! 

Here in Raleigh, North Carolina I am amazed how fast bananas that were green in the supermarket start getting spotty at home. 

Many folks do not realize that their flavor magnifies as they get ripe. When this happens in our house, I drag out the flour and chop up some walnuts (or dig up a bag of chocolate-chips) and enjoy the smell and absolutely divine taste of:

Nancy's Banana-Walnut Bread

2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour

1 Cup sugar

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons salad oil

3/4 Cup milk

1 egg

1 Cup bananas, mashed

1/2 Cup or more walnuts or chocolate chips (I chop walnut halves into bits. Easier on the teeth)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or spray two 8 inch loaf pans (or one 9 inch) with PAM and flour them to prevent sticking. At Christmas, I made three smaller loafs in 7 inch by 4 inch disposable aluminum pans which makes it easier to share the final product with other home-bound folks!

Measure all ingredients except nuts or chips into a mixer bowl. Beat on medium speed about 1/2 minute, scraping bowl sides and bottom. Fold in chips or nuts. Pour into prepared pans. 

Baking times: consider them done when golden brown and inserted knife comes out clean-

*two 8 inch pans, bake about 40 minutes

*one 9 inch pan, bake about 50 minutes

*three small foil pans, bake about 30 minutes

Cool at least 7 minutes, then turn onto a rack to cool. If sharing the small ones with others, leave them in the aluminum pans and wrap in more foil. Freeze any for later.

A slice of banana bread, warmed in the microwave for 10 seconds, makes a great snack anytime. Sip a cup of coffee or tea and relax with a book. If you like SWEET romance that goes along perfectly with banana bread, how about checking out my book RESCUING CHRISTMAS. Is it snowing where you live? Well, it isn't in my book, which sparks all kinds of trouble.

"Vermont is lovely this time of year, 

but where is the snow?" 

Entertainment during this pandemic is also healthy to a person's well-being so remember to READ BOOKS. For a quick, sweet, adventurous story, this book is available in ebook or print.

Find Buy Links HERE

Apple Pie & Wintry Weather

 

I made a sugar-free apple pie the other day because:

1) I love baking and pies are comfort-food

2) my sis is suffering with covid-19 and requested one

3) I miss apple-picking in New Hampshire (see photo above) so this is the best I can do to remember the good times with my boys

Here is the recipe. Note* I sometimes use frozen pie shells. Let one sit out to soften, then roll to cover the pie.

Nancy's Sugar-Free Apple Pie

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. 

Prepare two pie crusts

7 cups peeled, cored, thinly sliced apples (I use Macintosh)

1 cup Splenda or about 18 packets of artificial sweetener

3 Tablespoons Cornstarch

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pinch of salt

aluminum foil

In a large bowl, combine sweetener, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Add apple slices and stir to coat evenly. Add to pie shell (frozen shell is perfectly fine). Press apple mixture into shell then cover with the second crust. Join the edges by pinching. Cut off excess crust. Cut slits in top to vent. IMPORTANT! Take 3 strips of aluminum foil (about 2 inches
wide each) and cover the rim of your pie crust. Otherwise, your thin edge will brown long before the pie. I forgot, this time. (see photo)

Bake 40-50 minutes or until pie is golden brown. Cool in pie-pan on rack. Refrigerate uneaten slices.

Apples are important to your health and this is a healthy alternative to regular pie. There is still some sugar, so watch how much you eat.

Entertainment during this pandemic is also healthy to a person's well-being so remember to READ BOOKS. For a quick, sweet, adventurous story set in Scotland, try LOVE, HAMISH

Buy links HERE     

 

A New Year and a Recipe

Let's not speak of 2020 anymore. Everyone agrees that the last 365 days were the worst anyone under 60 has seen. I grew up with the threat of polio, whooping cough, measles, and even swine flu, but this pandemic seems worse.

My quarantine ended January 1st, meaning Christmas was quiet. My relative is still testing positive for Covid-19 so she is having an even uglier time. My worry about her is brutal. 

I turned to baking. The least we family members can do is deliver food to her or bake her some treats and meats.

This has given me the idea to share recipes on my blog along with words of encouragement and maybe a mention of one of my books. She really enjoyed my meatloaf and I was happy to know she got a lot of protein.

NANCY'S MEATLOAF

Heat oven to 350 degrees F

3 lbs ground meat (73 or 80%)  

1 yellow onion, diced

2 eggs

1 cup or more plain bread crumbs

6 or more slices bread, older the better, torn into small pieces

about 1/2 cup ketchup

Prepare 2 8 inch or 9 inch loaf pans, glass or metal, by lightly greasing

After washing your hands, mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Really get it all mixed well, then press into the two loaf pans. Press firmly around edges to give it a hump. This leaves space for the grease to go. (Have a grease can ready!) Bake at 350 degrees about an hour. For a crispier loaf, reduce heat to 325 and give it another 20 minutes.

I like to dribble more ketchup over the top. My late Aunt Almeda served hers with brown gravy. Mashed potatoes on the side are a must!

Enjoy this protein-rich comfort food and STAY SAFE! 

And if you are looking for something to read, try this:

Find all buy Links HERE