Beefy Calzones

I have a  recipe for you....because it's on my menu of things to make within the next week or so, and apparently there's a few of you out there who have missed my regular recipe posting! =)  Roast is on sale this week, so I'll be stocking up and roasting for future recipes like this one......

These calzones are always a hit with my family. =)  I make my own pizza dough and double the sauce to make sure we have plenty for dipping. I also frequently toss in 1 cup of frozen green pepper/ red pepper/ onion blend instead of the onion and bell pepper called for. I have made them with ground beef, but our *favorite* way is with leftover roast beef. Either way, they're good! These freeze well also.  Try them.  You'll like them.  If you don't, your kids will! ; )

Beefy Calzones

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb beef roast 
• 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup bell peppers, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup A-1 Steak Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 (11 ounce) packages refrigerated pizza dough
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded ( 8 oz.)
  

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook beef, onion, pepper and garlic until beef is no longer pink, stirring to break up meat;drain.
2. Keep warm.
3. In small skillet, over medium-high heat, heat tomato sauce, steak sauce & Italian seasoning to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
5. Stir 1 cup tomato sauce mixture into beef mixture; set aside.
6. Keep remaining tomato sauce mixture warm. Unroll pizza dough from 1 package; divide into 4 equal pieces.
7. Roll each piece into 6 square; spoon 1/3 cup reserved beef mixture onto center of each square.
8. Top with ¼ cup cheese.
9. Fold dough over to form triangle.
10. Press edges together, sealing well with tines of a fork.

11. Repeat with remaining dough, filling & cheese to make a total of 8 calzones.
12. Bake at 400* for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
13. Serve with warm sauce. Garnish as desired. Serves 8.
    
    
     Notice my new banner?  Come back next Thursday for another recipe.....I've put myself on schedule! =)
    

Party On! ~~ Staying Cool in the Summer Heat - Fun in the Sun Link-Up

Welcome to the 8th week of our Fun in the Summer Fun event!  Each Monday until September 7th,  Mama to 4 Blessings along with:

Adventures of Mommydom,
Sweet Diva,
 Harvest Moon By Hand,
and
Sweet Phenomena

 will be hosting Fun in the Summer Fun link up events.

Here's the line up:

The 1st Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer activities"

The 2nd Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer crafts"

The 3rd Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer recipes"

The 4th Monday of each month: link up your "How to stay cool in the summer heat"


Here’s how we “Stayed Cool in the Summer Heat!”

A couple of weeks ago, we had a belated birthday party for my boys, combined for the sake of Mom's sanity who has too much to do this summer & too little time to do it in! ; )

I let them each choose 1 friend to sleep over the night before the party, and with it being dreadfully hot, humid & mosquito-y outside had to come up with plenty of indoor activities to keep them occupied & happy.

Yay for Wii....which they took turns sharing.....

And when these two weren't playing Wii, they were chasing each other around the house....

It's truly amazing how much noise just 4 boys can make!!

We made homemade pizza for dinner:

And homemade ice cream for dessert. =)

They also spent much time running around with all the Nerf guns we own.....I never remember how heavily armed we are until they have friends over.  Note to self:  Hide The Guns next time! ; )

After a night full of activity and much rowdy laughter =), they woke up to blueberry muffins before I took them to Lowe's to build some very manly tow trucks.....

We then rushed home to pack up for the REAL party at a very ♥sweet♥ friend's pool..... because you can't have a party in Fl. in the middle of the summer that doesn't involve water!!  For some reason, I never did get the whole group together for a picture.....I think my brain was half melted/half exhausted! ; )

They also enjoyed the pool table......and so did the men {I think because it was air-conditioned inside ; )}!

Add food, cake and presents, and both of my ♥sweet♥ boys deemed a very great day.....and me a very awesome Mom.  They are so easy to please.... =)

How are you keeping it cool this summer?  Link up below.....I'd love to know!! ; )

Strawberry Ice Cream ~ Kid Friendly Recipes ~ Fun in the Summer Sun Link-Up!!

Welcome to the 7th week of our Fun in the Summer Fun event!  Each Monday until September 7th,  Mama to 4 Blessings along with:

Adventures of Mommydom,
Sweet Diva,
 Harvest Moon By Hand,
and
Sweet Phenomena

 will be hosting Fun in the Summer Fun link up events.

Here's the line up:

The 1st Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer activities"

The 2nd Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer crafts"

The 3rd Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer recipes"

The 4th Monday of each month: link up your "How to stay cool in the summer heat"


Here’s our “Kid Friendly Summer Recipe!”


We were cream maker as a wedding gift (many years ago) and I think we used it maybe three times before packing it away. It was just easier to buy it at the store. When my children got old enough to help, I dug it out so that they could experience the novelty of making ice cream. This was the first recipe I tried - from my Best of Country Cooking Cookbook collection - and it is the BEST strawberry ice cream I've have ever had!  We make ice cream and sherbert several times every summer and love experimenting with different recipes & flavors! 

Please forgive the lack of pics....I am out of town and am having trouble accessing the online album I uploaded them to....I'll update this post when I get home with the photos. =(


Strawberry Ice Cream 

2 eggs
2 cups milk
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup miniature marshmallow
 2 cups pureed unsweetened strawberries
 1 cup half-and-half cream 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


In a large heavy saucepan, combine eggs and milk; stir in sugar.  Cook and stir over medium-low heat until mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160, about 14 minutes.  Remove from the heat; stir in the marshmallows until melted. Set saucepan in ice and stir the mixture for 5-10 minutes or until cool.  Stir in the remaining ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  When ready to freeze, pour into the cylinder of an ice cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.

8 Yield: about 2 quarts.

Cheeseburger Pizza ~ Kid-friendly Recipes ~ Fun in the Summer Sun Link-Up

Welcome to the 2nd week of our Fun in the Summer Fun event!  Each Monday until September 7th,  Mama to 4 Blessings along with:

Adventures of Mommydom,
Sweet Diva,
 Harvest Moon By Hand,
and Sweet Phenomena

 will be hosting Fun in the Summer Fun link up events.

Here's the line up:

The 1st Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer activities"

The 2nd Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer crafts"

The 3rd Monday of each month: link up your "Kid friendly summer recipes"

The 4th Monday of each month: link up your "How to stay cool in the summer heat"

Cheeseburger Pizza:

Sausage Cheeseburger Pizza (Cooking for Kids - Southern Living at Home Ckbk)
*made this way, it tastes much like a Krystal

1 lb. Bob Evans Original Recipe Roll Sausage (or lean ground beef or turkey)
1 (12 inch) prepared pizza shell
1/2 cup yellow mustard
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion
15 dill pickle slices
3/4 cup (3oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 425. Crumble and cook sausage in medium skillet until browned; drain well on paper towels. Place pizza shell on lightly greased 12" pizza pan on baking sheet. Spread mustard over shell; top with mozzarella cheese, sausage and onion. Place pickle slices evely on top; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake 12 min. or until crust is cooked through and cheese is bubbly. Cut into thin wedges and serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes about 8 servings.

Altered Version(pictured)

I ususally don't use the mozzarella when making it this way and use 8 oz. of cheddar cheese instead. Follow above instructions, using your choice of meat. I chop 1/2 cup onion and cook it with the meat because the kids like it better when the onions are softer - I like it either way. On top of crust (we usually make our own instead of the prepared), spread a layer of ketchup (maybe 1/3- 1/2 cup); I have put it on the pizza sometimes, and other times have served ketchup on the side - the family likes it either way and I haven't decided yet which way I like it best, then a layer of mustard. Add cooked meat, pickles, about 1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped fresh spinach and approx. one tomato, thinly sliced. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake as directed above.

Pizza Dough:
Just in case you want to try making your own, too!  Makes enough for 2 pizzas; we double the above recipe because 1 pizza isn't enough for our family. ; )

1/2 Tbsp. dry yeast
1/8 c. warm water
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
Approx. 5 1/2 cups flour
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup oil

Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Heat milk to warm (110-115 degrees).  Add sugar, salt, and yeast to milk.  Gradually mix in 2 cups flour.  Add beaten egg and oil.  Mix well, then add remaining flour, until you have a soft dough, kneading well.  Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled.  Punch dough down and let rest for 10 min.  Divide in half and spread each half on a greased and floured 12 in. pizza pan.  Add favorite toppings.  Bake at 400* for 15 minutes; add shredded cheese and bake 5 min more until cheese melts.

Confession:  this was on our menu for last week, but these photos are about 2 yrs. old.  We had a crazy busy week and it got pushed to this week's menu instead.  Bad blogger ~ but look how cute my Ashlyn was! ; )  This is one of her favorite recipes!

rolling out homemade pizza dough:

browning the meat:

 

about to put it in the oven: 

 yummy =)

 

Cookin' Up Something Cute.....

I  made these ♥super sweet♥ aprons a few weeks ago to donate to a silent auction.  I thought I had already posted about them, but as I scrolled through my past posts I realized what a neglectful blogger I have been! = (  I think I posted the pics on Facebook and then my mind just checked them off as "done".  Sometimes my mind and reality do not agree!!  ; ) Going to try to catch up on posting most of my latest crafty endeavors this week......the ones I took pictures of, anyway (and the ones whose pictures weren't accidentally deleted)! 

For the Super Cute Female Assistant, I made this Girl's Toddler/Child Apron ~ because even when we're cooking, every girl should celebrate her own sense of style ;).....

This ♥sweet♥ little apron is constructed of a brown and blue floral print and accented with contrasting brown and blue polka dots straps, 3 rows of very ♥sweet♥ feminine ruffles, and an appliqued center flower.

Neck ties criss-cross in the back and loop through two side loops to tie at the waist. Straps are generously cut to make this apron fully adjustable.

Embroidery inside the appliqued center flower says: Super Cute Assistant =) but may be embroidered with the name of monogrammed initials of your choice.

For the little men out there, I also donated this Boy's Toddler/Child Apron ~ because who says boys can't cook....and when they do, they sure don't want to wear a girly-looking frock!

This ♥sweet♥ little apron is constructed of a blue denim with a plaid contrasting fabric, 3 front pockets. Inspired by my own train-loving little chef, it is embroidered with a very cool train design and chef's hat with the phrase "Master Chef in Training" ~ pun intended! ; )

The apron may also be embroidered with the name of monogrammed initials of your choice instead of the chosen phrase ~ or if you desire a different graphic ~ please contact me! I ♥ special requests and would love to customize one for you!! .

The apron ties behind the neck and also at the waist. Straps are generously cut to make this apron fully adjustable.

Sizes available are:

Size 4 ~ Chest 24", Waist 22", Height 42"

Size 6 ~ Chest 25", Waist 23", Height 46"

Size 8 ~ Chest 26 1/2", Waist 24", Height 50"

Size 10 ~ Chest 28", Waist 25", Height 54"

Size 12 ~ Chest 30", Waist 26", Height 58"

I had so much fun creating these................and have more in the works, so stay tuned! ; )

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And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17

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Linking up with:

Cinnamon Crackle Cookies

I got this recipe from Taste of Home, and the only think I've change is the flour ~ I often use freshly ground soft wheat or a combination of freshly ground oat groats & all-purpose flour. =)

The tantalizing aroma that fills your home when these are baking is reminiscent of the things of Fall, but I personally see no reason to limit our enjoyment due to the season. ; )

Above, you have a pic I snapped in a rush due to what seemed like an army of hands eager and impatient to snatch one {or two} up while they were still warm.  They beg for a cup of coffee and a few stolen moments in time on the back deck to relax and enjoy with them ~~ or, maybe that's just me! ; )

Cinnamon Crackle Cookies

photo from Taste of Home

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or 3 to 3 1/4 cups freshly ground soft wheat; or, 1 cup freshly ground oat groats plus 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar

 Directions:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugars. Add egg and extracts; mix well. Combine the next eight ingredients; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.