MEXICAN CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS:   2 lbs. ground hamburg 2 packets taco seasoning, prepared according to package directions.  You can make your own seasoning, using about 6 tablespoons in 1 1/2 cups water 4 Mission Super Soft Flour Tortillas, Large Burrito size 7.6 oz box Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice (or similar) 16 oz. Sargento’s Shredded Mexican…

PORCUPINE BALLS

As you all know, I’m from the coal region and we have dishes that are popular to the area. One of those dishes is Porcupine meatballs or “balls” as I call them. They are really pigeons or halupukis or stuffed cabbage without the cabbage. I call them “balls” because I don’t make them small like…

SLOPPY JOES, a/k/a BBQ

Growing up and living in the Coal Region of Pennsylvania, we have always called “Sloppy Joes” “BBQ”.  It is a quick weeknight dinner and great for parties too.  Also freezes well.  So cook yourself up (and your family) a double or triple batch of this very darn good “BBQ” and freeze the leftovers for an…

CHEESE STEAK STUFFED PEPPERS

INGREDIENTS: 1 pound lean ground beef 4 bell peppers, any color 2 tablespoons butter 1 small yellow onion, minced 1 cup diced mushrooms 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 14 oz can crushed tomatoes Salt and pepper 1 ¼ cup shredded mozzarella DIRECTIONS: Preheat your oven to 350°. Cut the top of the peppers and remove the…

PIGEONS (STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS)

Pigeons, are a coal region favorite and are composed of hamburger and rice, which is wrapped in a cabbage leaf and then boiled (in the old days) and baked (in modern days) in a tomato sauce. A cherished food, but rarely heard of outside of the area. In some towns south of my town of…

MEATLOAF

When I was younger, I never cared for meatloaf. As I grew older, I began to love and especially love it leftover as a sandwich with cheese and mayo. My sons never cared for it either but suddenly in their mid and late 20’s love it. I guess it’s something you hate as a kid…

CHILI

INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. fresh ground beef (I used 2.26 lbs. as that is how the package was made) 1 quart tomato juice 1 – 29 oz can tomato puree 1 can (18.5 oz) Progresso French Onion Soup 1 can red kidney beans, drained 1 can pinto beans, drained 1 can black beans, drained 1 medium…

HAMBURGERS IN SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:   (Makes 8) 8 frozen hamburgers or 8 homemade (I do both but for homemade, use 3 lbs. hamburger, season with salt and pepper, shape into 8 large burgers.  Place on a large sheet pan lined with waxed paper and sprayed with PAM.       Place burgers in freezer and freeze.  Once frozen, you…