Ma Whats For Dinner?» kielbasa

Lentil Soup with Sausage – Soup Week

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:57 +0000

While it hasn’t been a particularly cold winter here.

It’s been a bit dreary.

Nothing makes me feel better than a hot bowl of soup.

This one is inspired by the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe.

I’ve been making it for years and the kids gobble it up!

Soup is a fantastic way to get your picky eaters to eat veggies and healthy food!

You’ve got to try it!

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 pound green lentils

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cups diced yellow onions

4 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts only

1 tablespoon minced garlic

S&P

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

1 teaspoon cumin

3 cups medium diced celery (8 stalks)

3 cups medium diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)

4 quarts chicken stock

1 pound sliced kielbasa

1/4 cup dry red wine

Freshly grated parmesan cheese

drizzle of balsamic vinegar

drizzle of olive oil

WHAT TO DO:

In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.

In a large stockpot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and saute the onions, leeks, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are translucent and tender.

Add the celery and carrots and saute for another 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and drained lentils, cover, and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, or until the lentils are cooked through and tender.

Test the seasonings, add more S&P if needed . Add the kielbasa and red wine and let simmer until the kielbasa is hot. Serve drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.

Serve with crusty bread or cheesy grilled sandwiches.

You can leave out the sausage or use turkey sausage to make this even healthier!

Superbowl Countdown – Keegan’s Killer Kielbasa

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:02 +0000

Um….

If I haven’t already mentioned it….

THE PATS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!

And here’s a News Flash….

I have 3 boys.

Ok, well 4 if you count the hubs…

And let’s be honest, you have to count the hubs don’t ya?

So game days are big around here.

We’re a sports family.

Hockey.

Football.

Baseball.

Basketball.

Even soccer, or football as my mom calls it. Go Manchester United.

Anyway, we love the Superbowl.

Especially when the Pats are getting ready to beat down the Giants.

And Keegan has asked that I post his absolute favorite again…

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

We’re ready for some of Keegan’s favorite, and the hubs, Kielbasa

Serves: 8 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes

2 links polska kielbasa smoked sausage, sliced

1 cup maple syrup

1 T soy sauce

1/4 cup brown mustard

1 t liquid smoke (optional)

In a large skillet over medium high heat, warm sausage until the sides just begin to crisp, about 5 minutes. Pour in your syrup and soy sauce and stir well. Add in mustard and liquid smoke and mix well. Bring to a boil then knock back the heat and let simmer until sauce is thick and rich and bubbly.

Pour onto serving platter and serve with toothpicks.

Score!

Cheesy Macaroni Surprise

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:00:26 +0000

Yes I’ve been on a casserole kick.

I can’t help it.

I just love the fact that they can be made in advance!

And with school starting and activities heating up I just like to know that a yummy dinner the boys will like can get on the table fast.

There is nothing not to like in this dish.

I toss in some protein and veggies to make it a complete meal in one.

Not to mention the fact the boys like all the stirring help they get to do.

Now let’s get to the good stuff!!

Cheesy Macaroni Surprise

Serves: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes

1 lb wagon wheel pasta

3 T butter unsalted

3 T all purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

1/2 t fresh grated nutmeg

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded swiss cheese

1/2 kielbasa link, diced

1 10 oz box frozen peas

S&P

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Set a large pot of water over high heat to boil. In a large saucepan melt butter over medium high heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk, and bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Once the milk has thickened add in nutmeg and season with S&P. Reduce to medium low heat and melt in cheddar and swiss cheeses. Allow to cook on low for a few minutes.

When water is boiling season water with salt and add pasta. Note package cooking time and reduce by 2 minutes, the macaroni will continue cooking in the oven later. Once pasta is cooked, drain and return to pot.

Add your peas and sliced kielbasa to your cheese sauce and pour over the pasta. Mix well. Transfer to a greased 13×9 baking dish and top with additional cheese if desired. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Sausage surprise bundles

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:00:46 +0000

Serves: 6 Prep Time: 1 hour Cook Time: 20 minutes

8 bacon strips, diced

1 cup onion, chopped

1 16 ounce can sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well

1/2 pound kielbasa, roughly chopped

2 T brown sugar

1/2 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1/4 t caraway seeds

1 16 ounce package hot roll mix

2 eggs, divided

1 cup hot water

2 T butter, softened

poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet heat your bacon over medium high heat until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon to a paper towel. Set aside. Add onion to the bacon drippings and cook until soft, about 6-7 minutes. Stir in sauerkraut, kielbasa, brown sugar, garlic salt, caraway seeds, and S&P. Cook and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

While that is cooling, get started on your rolls. In a bowl, combine contents of hot roll mix. Stir in one egg, water, and butter to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover dough with a large bowl and let it rest for 5 more minutes.

Divide dough into 16 equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll out each piece into a 4 inch circle. Top each circle with 1/4 cup filling. Fold dough, forming a ball; pinch edges to seal. place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.

Beat remaining egg. Brush over bundles and sprinkle with poppy seeds, salt, and garlic powder. Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with soup or salad. YUMMMMMMMY!!!!

Hash Brown Quiche

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:00:27 +0000

Serves: 6 Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hr 5 minutes

1 package (about 3 cups) shredded hash browns

1 T extra virgin olive oil

3 T butter

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup half-and-half

½ polska kielbasa link sliced

½ cup scallions, diced

½ cup sliced mushrooms

1 cup shredded cheddar

½ t paprika

S&P

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add in your sliced kielbasa and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove kielbasa with a slotted spoon and place allow to cool on a plate. In the same pan add in the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add in your hash brows. Toss to coat well with butter mixture and season with paprika and salt & pepper.

Grab a 9 inch pie plate and pour in the potato mixture Press them into the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Bake until golden brown and just starting to crisp, about 25 mintues.

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, half & half, kielbasa, scallions, mushrooms, cheese, and season with salt and pepper. When your hash brown crust is ready ladle the egg mixture over the crust and return it to the oven. Drop the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and puffy.

Tasty Tidbit: Feel free to add lots of yummy veggie mixins to this one. Try chopped broccoli or even spinach. Delicious!

Sweet n’ Saucy Sausages

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:00:57 +0000

Serves: 12 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes

2 links polska kielbasa smoked sausage, sliced

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup grape jelly

1/2 cup ketchup

Combine all ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl. Stir to combine. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and stir. Return to microwave and cook on high for 2 more minutes. Remove and stir. Return to microwave and cook for an additional minute or until sauce is thick and rich and bubbly.

Pour onto serving platter and serve with toothpicks. Soooo sinful, so good!