Porcupine Balls!

No, I am not using that as a cuss word, even though it would work perfectly as one!  Porcupine Balls if you have never had them are another version of meatballs with rice.  This was another one of those recipes my mom made when I was growing up.  It is also one of those recipes I triple so that I can freeze half of it for later.

Porcupine Balls

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs                      

1 lb  ground beef                        

2/3 cup uncooked rice (I use Minute rice)                        

1/2 cup milk                        

1 package (1 oz) onion soup mix                        

1 egg                        

1 cup water                        

2 cans (11 1/2 oz each) tomato juice (3 cups)                

 Heat oven to 425°F. In large bowl, mix bread crumbs, beef, rice, milk, dry soup mix and egg. Using wet hands, shape mixture into 30 meatballs. Place in ungreased 13x9-inch baking dish or 3-quart casserole.

Pour water and tomato juice over meatballs; stir gently

Cover and bake 50 to 55 minutes or until rice is tender and beef is no longer pink in center and juice is clear.   

I serve these over rice or egg noodles.

Help!

That's what I messaged the Saucy Irish, again! I thank God for her everyday! I told her I had hamburger thawed, no bread, no buns, no Mac and Cheese and no ideas! She asked me if I had potatoes-yes!  She's the gray boxes, I'm the blue...

So here is what I ended up with and I got told they would eat it again! Sweet!

Burger and sides!

Since I have no name....

I added the onion soup mix (2 TBSP) that I gave you before into the burger (2 lbs) and made large patties and cooked them in a pan on the stove. Right before they were done I seasoned them with Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. 

 Note: Grilling would be way better, but the hubs is protective of that thing and wasn't home yet!

While the burgers were cooking I boiled potatoes. After they were cooked I sliced them and added them to the pan with the onion/pepper mix (follows).

In another pan I put some olive oil (about 1 TBSP). I added the following:

1/2 large yellow onion

4 garlic cloves

1 green pepper

1 yellow pepper

Morton's Roasted Sea Salt Grinder-to taste ( I LOVE this stuff).

Cook until everything is tender. You could let this fry, but I knew that wouldn't go over with my Residents.

After the potatoes were done boiling I dumped the water, refilled and added my corn on the cob. When they boiled and the burgers were done we were ready to eat! I only had three cobs so I cut them in half before cooking. 

Here is a picture of the two seasonings I mentioned. For those of you in West River SD I got these at Family Thrift Store or you can click on the Amazon links where I am an affiliate.

Plated! 

Enjoy! Hope you have a great weekend! Just so you know the conversation above is normal for us, but it is also very "sane" compared to most of them!  We can have full conversation in pictures alone! 

It's crazy hold onto your white jackets!

Hello crazy peoples!  Welcome to those of you just starting to follow us and thanks for staying to those who have been here (that white jacket looks great on you, very slimming)!  Take a seat, because what I am about to tell you is crazy!  Ready?  Are you sitting?  Don't lie, you're not ready, go get your coffee, water, soda and settle in!  Are you back yet?  OK I'll wait..........OK, now are you ready?

I am going to give you FOUR recipes today!  Yep, I said it, FOUR!  How crazy is that?  Don't worry, we have plenty of recipes and we wont run out!  The recipes I am going to give you come from one of my favorite blogs Little House Living.  She has a ton of recipes, so head over and check them out!  These recipes are ones we use daily in our Asylum and are mixes to replace those cans and boxes.  I don't like buying things in a package or a box, if I can make them. I have told you before I am lazy, so you know they will be easy! 

I am the baker, but today you are going to get some recipes from me to help you make all of the Saucy Irish's dishes a little better!  Because that is what we do here, we make each other look good!

First up is a favorite of my neighbors.  She has used it in meatloaf, for a white sauce and tons of other things.  I love to put it over chicken in the crock pot for a creamy sauce! 

 Little House Living gets all the credit for these amazing mixes!

Cream of Soup

2 c. dry milk

2 1/2 c. flour

1/4 c. chicken bouillon powder(I used THIS)

2 T. dried onion flakes

 

 Add a 1/4 cup milk or water if you would like to use it in place of a can of Cream Soup.  You can also just add the powder for flavoring!

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The next recipe is one of our favorites! 



 

Fajita Seasoning Mix

3 T cornstarch

2 T chili powder

1 T salt

1 T sugar

2 1/2 t crushed chicken bouillon cube

1 1/2 t onion powder

1/2 t garlic powder

1/2 t cayenne pepper

1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 t cumin

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a glass or plastic container and store in a cool dry place. This amount is the equivalent of 3 seasoning packets from the store.

 

We add this to the crock pot with chicken.  When the chicken is cooked we drain, add a little more and then add sliced peppers (a mix of colors) and let cook for another hour!

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So now that you have the Fajita Mix how about the Taco Mix?

 

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

• 1/4 c. minced onion
• 2 T chili powder
• 2 t. paprika
• 2 t. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 t. dried oregano
• 1/2 t. marjoram
• 1 T salt
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 2 T. cornstarch
• 1 T minced garlic
• 1 t. ground cumin

Mix all the ingredients together and store in an air tight container. Use 2 tablespoons of mix per pound of beef, chicken, or anything else!

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The last recipe I have for you comes from Good Cheap Eats.

 

• Homemade Onion Soup Mix
•  
• 1/4 cup dry onion flakes (also called dehydrated onion)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. To use stir into recipes as you would commercial onion soup mix (about 1 to 2 tablespoons per 1/2 cup sour cream for dip).

Again, great recipe for the crock pot or to season burgers!  I am starting to think I love my crock pot a little too much...wonder what my Doctor would say about that!
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Thanks again for coming over for a visit.  We really are enjoying being here!  Like the Saucy Irish has told you before we are here if you need info, tips or looking for a recipe!  Just send us a note or message us over at the Facebook page!  Make sure you Like the Facebook page so you can easily get to the blog as well as watching for GIVEAWAYS!

We would like you to know that we are not making light of mental illnesses/disorders or addiction (OK, we are but there is a good reason).  We both come from families with mental illness and/or addiction.  We know fist hand what it is to see a loved one go through these issues or deal with them ourselves.  As my Bestie, the Saucy Irish has told me, we need to smile, not dwell on it.  Who better to laugh at you than yourself, or your Bestie?