PinkPetunia's House

Spinach Balls Recipe

Everyone loves Aunt Theresa's spinach balls so I thought I would share her recipe with everyone. This will also stop me from asking her for the recipe a hundred more times (smile).

Spinach Balls Recipe

Ingredients

2 10 ounce packages frozen chopped spinach
3 cups herb seasoned stuffing mix (Pepperidge Farm is what Aunt Theresa uses)
1 large onion, finely chopped
6 eggs well beaten
3/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (I use the shaker kind)
1 tablespoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon thyme

Directions

1. Cook spinach, drain well and squeeze to remove excess mositure.
2. Combine spinach and remaining ingredients mixing well.
3. Shape mixture into 3/4" balls (I used a #70 scooper) and place on lightly greased cookie sheets.
4. Bake at 325 for 15-20 minutes, or freeze. See note below.

Note: Spinach balls may be frozen before baking. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm. When frozen, remove and store in plastic bags. Thaw slightly and bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Oh, and for Uncle Sean and the ladies in his office, I am sorry I have not posted in forever. I will try and do my best to post more.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

After posting a picture and recipe for the bbq ribs, I got a couple of requests for the recipe for the cucumber salad shown in the picture. It is really easy and a staple at all of our family gatherings. I have to thank my MIL, Laura, for the recipe. It is one of my favorites.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

 

Ingredients

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon fresh dill, optional but I use on occassion

Directions

1. Mix the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper together in a large bowl, until smooth.
2. Add cucumbers, onions and dill to the sauce.
3. Stir until the cucumber and onions are well coated.
4. Refridgerate for at least one hour.
5. Serve.

Normally this recipe is doubled or tripled when I make it. Enjoy!

So what other recipes can I post? Any suggestions?

BBQ Ribs Recipe

Last night, we had the best dinner. I grilled some bbq ribs and served them with a cucumber and onion salad and tomato, mozzarella and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. It was so yummy. Even Ellie loved them. She kept asking for more "sticks" as she liked to call the rib bones. It was very cute and messy.

 

BBQ Ribs

 

Ingredients

2 quarts of water
2 cups of white vinegar
3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
4 lemons, sliced
1 rack of pork spare ribs
3 cups of bbq sauce, homemade or store bought
1/2 cup of honey
1 cup of beer or lager of your choice

Directions

Quick cooking method -

1. In a large pot or pan bring water, vinegar, garlic and lemon to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer. The water should not be boiling or steaming a lot.
3. Add spare ribs to the water and par-boil for about 10 minutes.
4. Drain the pot and remove spare ribs.
5. Place ribs on the grill bone side down.
6. Grill over direct heat, 350 - 400 degrees, for 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Flip the ribs over and grill for another 20 to 25 minutes until done.
8. While the ribs are grilling, place bbq sauce, honey and beer in the now empty pot.
9. Simmer on low.
10. Remove the ribs from the grill.
11. Allow them to rest on a cutting board for approximately 10 minutes.
12. Cut the ribs between the bones and place in the bbq sauce.
13. Cover and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
14. Remove from sauce and serve.

Slow cook method -

1. In a large pot or pan bring water, vinegar, garlic and lemon to a boil.
2. Remove pan from heat.
3. Add spare ribs to the water and allow to soak for 10 minutes.
4. Do not drain the pot but remove spare ribs.
5. Place ribs on the grill bone side down.
6. Grill over direct heat, 350 - 400 degrees, for one hour. Baste the ribs every 10 with the water/vinegar mixture and turn over.
7. While the ribs are grilling, place bbq sauce, honey and beer in the now empty pot.
8. Simmer on low.
9. Remove the ribs from the grill.
10. Allow them to rest on a cutting board for approximately 10 minutes.
11. Cut the ribs between the bones and place in the bbq sauce.
12. Cover and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, until tender.
13. Remove from sauce and serve.

The slow cook method is how my dad grills the ribs but I made up the quick cooking method because we were hungry and did not have time to wait for the ribs. They turned out super tender and very moist. Rob said they were the best he has ever had. I am not sure he has ever had my dad's ribs but hey, that is ok. I will take the compliment. I know my dad makes the best.

Enjoy!

Bean Salsa Recipe

As promised in yesterday's salsa recipe post, here is another great recipe to make for a summer party or cookout. You make it a day in advance so no last minute rushing around to finish it.

I got this recipe from my friend Jeanne. She calls it southwest caviar but I call it bean salsa because no one I know seems to know what I am talking about when I say southwest caviar. I have heard it called cowboy caviar and Texas caviar, too. There are several versions out there but the recipes are all similar and each one sound delish. This one is so good and there is never any left. Even if you run out of chips, someone always grabs a spoon to finish it off. Oh wait, that someone is me. :)

Bean Salsa

 

Ingredients

Dressing

1 tablespoon water
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Salsa

1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can black-eyed peas, drained
1 small jar of pimentos, chopped
1 small can or jar of hot jalapenos, drained and chopped
1 small can of chopped green chilies
1 can shoepeg corn, drained
1 cup celery, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 small red or white onion, chopped

Directions

1. Boil all dressing ingredients together in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved.
2. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Mix all salsa ingredients together in a large bowl.
4. Pour dressing mixture over bean salsa.
5. Refrigerate overnight.
6. Drain liquid.
7. Serve with tortilla or corn chips.

Enjoy!

Super simple salsa recipe

I know...I have been MIA for a really long time. I am sorry but you know what? Life gets in the way some times. I have been super busy cooking, sewing, doing house projects and spending time with my family.

This post is for Amy who requested this recipe last night. I have a feeling she meant for me to email her back but since I was already going to type it up...here is my super easy salsa recipe.

Simple Salsa Recipe

 

Ingredients

4 tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup red or white onion, diced
4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
2 jalapenos, with/without seeds and minced
juice from 2 limes
1 clove garlic, minced
kosher or sea salt, to taste

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. If you want it to be more restaurant style, take half of the salsa and pulse it in the food processor a few times, combine it with the remaining salsa.
2. Serve with chips.

Yeah, it is that easy. 

Enjoy! I will post a few more recipes this week that are perfect for summer parties and cookouts.