Jenny's Spaghetti Sauce

 

This is another recipe that originated with the mother of one of my best friends. Her name was Lois LeBaw and she died of lung cancer. This is an excellent spaghetti sauce recipe - thick with lots of herbs and wonderful flavor. Even better as leftovers... but be sure to use the name-brands the recipe calls for. Unlike other recipes, this one suffers from being thrifty. Also, be sure to use a *white* onion - they're spicier.

 

2 pounds ground round

1 medium White Onion

2 14.5 oz cans Del Monte Original Stewed Tomatoes

2 8 oz cans Hunts Tomato Sauce

2 8 oz cans Contadina Tomato Paste

1 small can Green Giant Mushroom Stems and Pieces

 

Oregano

Garlic Salt

Garlic Powder

Thyme

Parsley

Bay Leaf

Salt

Pepper

Sugar

 

Brown meat in a little olive oil. Add chopped white onion and cook over medium heat until onion becomes translucent. Add mushrooms, tomato sauce, paste, and stewed tomatoes. Then, take a deep breath and add the spices 'to taste'. Be brave. Be bold. Add 'em like you *mean* it. Then add approximately 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of sugar - this will help cut the acid in all the tomatoes.

 

Serve over hot spaghetti with warm French bread and a salad.

 

 

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"Never eat more than you can lift." Miss Piggy

 

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Jenny's Sloppy Joes

 

Another recipe from the Lois LeBaw Collection - and another winner, too. That woman could sure cook.

 

2 pounds ground round

1 medium onion

½ C Ketchup

C BBQ Sauce

1 tbsp Vinegar

1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 tbsp Sugar

Chili powder to taste - we like lots

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Brown meat in a little olive oil; add chopped onion and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat while you toast some thick buns.

 

Ladle sauce over toasted buns and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

 

Jenny's Fettuccini Alfredo Sauce

 

This is, truly, 'Heart Attack on a Plate'. It's not for the faint of heart or pocketbook... and if your cholesterol isn't high before you eat this, it will be by the time you're finished. And don't leave out the corn starch or your sauce will be a rubbery blob of impossible to separate strands of icky cheese. It's quick and easy otherwise... oh, and delicious, too.

 

1 wedge of Kraft Parmesan Cheese, grated (or, if you're feeling *really* flush - 6-8 oz of fresh Pecorino Romano from the Italian deli)

1 tsp Corn Starch

 

Mix the two above ingredients and set aside. Next, put about ½ stick of real butter in the top of a double boiler and melt. Add approximately one cup of heavy cream. When that's warmed up, sprinkle in the cheese/cornstarch mixture and stir. Serve over any kind of pasta - we've used everything from fettuccini noodles to shells. It's good with steamed vegetables and grilled Portobello mushrooms on the side.

 

April, 2003 Update: The easiest fettuccini alfredo ever: 1 stick butter, 1 pint heavy cream, 1 cup freshly grated *good* quality parmesan. Melt butter and add cream. Throw in grated cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy over noodles... forget the one above!