Couscous Sausage Stuffed Peppers

I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart.

1 Tbls. olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic , minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper
12 oz. sausage
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes
3/4 cup couscous
4 bell peppers (or several smaller ones), halved lengthwise, seeds and ribs removed
3/4 c. cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, salt, and pepper; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add sausage to skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until lightly browned. Add tomatoes and 1 cup water; cook until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in couscous.

Fill pepper halves with couscous mixture. Pour 1/2 cup water into a large baking dish; arrange stuffed peppers in dish. Cover with foil, and bake until peppers are tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove foil, and sprinkle Monterey Jack over the tops. Return to oven; bake, uncovered, until cheese has melted and peppers are very tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Italian Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf

This is my orginial twist on the classic meatloaf.

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. pork or turkey bulk sausage
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
2 eggs
1 1/3 c. milk
1 med. onion, finely chopped
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1 Tb. Italian Seasoning
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. pepper
4 deli slices provolone cheese
4 deli slices mozzerella cheese
Pasta sauce, if desired

Combine meats, oatmeal, eggs, milk, onion, parmesan, and seasonings. Spray two sheets wax paper w/nonstick cooking spray. Pour meat mixture on to one and cover with the other sheet. Press meat out to 1/2 in. thick rectangle, then remove top wax paper. Arrange cheese slices on top - keep it 1 in. from sides and ends. Gently roll the meatloaf, using the bottom wax paper to help. Seal ends and bottom seam and place in a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour - 1 1/4 hour or until no longer pink inside. During last 20-30 minutes, top with tomato pasta sauce if desired.

Makes 1 lg. meatloaf

Apple Ham Bake

This is from a TOH insert sent with one of their magazines.

3 med. tart apples, peeled & sliced
2 med. sweet potatoes, peeled & thinly sliced
3 c. cubed ham (fully cooked)
3 Tb. Brown sugar
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. curry powder
2 Tb. Cornstarch
1/3 c. apple juice
1 c. pancake mix
1 c. milk
2 Tb. Butter
½ tsp. ground mustard

In lg. skillet, combine apples, sweet potatoes, ham, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and curry. Cook over medium heat until apples are crisp-tender; drain. Combine cornstarch and apple juice until smooth; stir into apple mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until mixture is thickened.

Transfer to a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 10 min. or until sweet potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a bowl whisk together pancake mix, milk, butter, and mustard; pour over ham mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 min. or until puffed and golden brown.

8 servings

Crock Pot Sesame Pork Chops

This recipe is my own creation. :)

4 sm. or 2 lg. bone-in pork chops (boneless would be fine also)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1/4 c. soy sauce
3 Tb. brown sugar
3/4 c. tomato sauce
1 tsp. sesame seeds
1 Tb. fresh ginger, minced
pepper to taste

Put chops in crockpot and season with pepper. Mix remainder of ingredients and pour over the pork chops. Cook on low for 6 hrs. Serve over rice.