Chicken with smashed "dirty" potatoes and gravy

Comfort abounds in this classic dish. I modernized it a bit, gave it a little twist, and came up with something delicious that was easy to make, very little mess, and quick to create.

Serves about 4 hungry people

2 Tbsp olive oil
3 large chicken breasts, skinned, boned and sliced into bite-sized chunks
1/2 onion, thinly diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg powdered chicken gravy
1 pkg powdered turkey gravy
2 c cold water

4 large baking potatoes, UNPEELED, and diced
2 Tbsp kosher salt
1 stick butter
2/3 c milk

In a large skillet, heat olive oil, and add onion
Cook on medium-high heat, stirring, until onion turns slightly clear
Add garlic and chicken
Season with salt and pepper to taste
Cook until chicken is just done, then add gravy mixes
Add water and stir until combined
Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer, and let cook

Meanwhile...

In a large pot, bring water and salt to a boil
Add diced potatoes and cook until just fork tender
Drain and place back into pot
Place onto VERY low heat and let potatoes dry a bit
Add 1/2 the butter and smash together
Add milk, and season to taste
Add the remaining butter and stir until completely combined

Serve with veggies and enjoy!

Decadent Bolognese sauce...

I can't take credit for the idea behind this... It's all Guy Fieri's fault for inspiring me to make something this good. If you haven't seen the Italian Stallion meal that he does on Guy's Big Bite, I highly recommend it. This is my version... It takes a LONG time to simmer, but it's well worth the time...

2 Tbsp olive oil
6 large pork picnic ribs, cut in half
salt/pepper

1 lb hot italian sausage
1 large white onion, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
4-5 garlic cloves, sliced
2 6 oz cans tomato paste
2 16 oz cans italian seasoned diced tomatoes
2 8 oz cans sliced mushrooms

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large, deep non-stick saucepan, heat olive oil to almost smoking
Season ribs with salt and pepper and place carefully into pan
Do not move the ribs for a good 3-4 minutes
Once a nice dark gold crust has been created, turn the ribs
Brown all sides
Place all pieces into oven-safe pan and place in pre-heated oven for 2 hrs

Meanwhile...

Place sausage into pan and brown
Place vegetables and garlic into pan
Cook until onions just go translucent
Add tomato paste and stir through
Add remaining ingredients to the pan and stir completely
Lower heat to low and simmer slowly

Once ribs have roasted in the oven...

Remove from the oven and place into the sauce
Continue to simmer another 3-4 hrs

Serve with noodles or over rice

Twice-baked Sausage-stuffed Potatoes

I cannot take credit for this one… I found it at www.allrecipes.com, and tweaked it to my liking. Yum! Enjoy.

Serves 4 hungry people

4 large baking potatoes
½ lb ground meat
1 medium onion
8 large fresh sage leaves
¼ c fresh (not packed) oregano leaves
6-8 thyme stems, de-leaved (keep the leaves, not the stems)
2 long stalks tarragon
3 cloves garlic
1 c sour cream
4 Tbsp butter
Salt
Pepper
2 c shredded cheese (for topping)

Slice potatoes in half and bake in the oven or microwave until completely cooked through.
Let cool and scoop out insides of potatoes carefully.
Brown ground meat in a pan.
In a food processor, or with a sharp knife, mince onion, herbs and garlic together.
Add salt and pepper and mix together.
Mix ½ the herb mixture into the browning meat.
Add potatoes to the meat and mash together.
Add remaining herb mixture, sour cream and butter, then stir.
Stuff the completed mixture back into the potato jackets
Top each with a ½ c of shredded cheese.
Place under broiler and melt cheese.

Serve.

There will be leftover stuffing – I’ve found it’s a great snack to munch on for later, or dip for crackers.

Suizza Meatballs

Tired of the same old Swedish Meatballs? Try this version! It's a GREAT alternative.

Makes about 8 servings (4 meatballs each with about 2 c noodles)

Meatballs:
2 lb sage sausage (whatever brand you choose)
1 lb ground turkey

Sauce:
2 tbsp oil or melted butter
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
½ c water
1 ½ c milk
2 c Colby-jack cheese, shredded
1 ½ c swiss cheese

1 lb egg noodles cooked per instructions and drained

Directions for Meatballs:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
Mix meat together completely
Roll into 1” balls and place on a jelly roll or other lipped pan
Bake about 25 minutes or until nicely brown and cooked through.

Directions for Sauce:
In a medium saucepan, heat oil
Add flour while whisking briskly
Switch to a wooden spoon and stir over medium low heat until it smells nutty and begins to turn color
**SLOWLY** add water while whisking briskly to get rid of lumps
Let sit about 4-5 minutes, then slowly add milk while whisking briskly
Cook about 10 mins on medium low, stirring constantly
Add cheese about a ¼ c at a time, stirring constantly

Mix noodles and cheese sauce together
Add meatballs and stir to combine