Monday Night Dinner

Tonight I cooked a "real meal" for the first time in a week or so.  I am sure that the local pizza place appreciated my extensive business last week!  With my little guy's cold and a husband recovering from surgery, cooking was the last thing on my mind!!  Time to get back into the swing of things :) 

Saucy Parmesan Meatballs

2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion diced

2 cloves garlic

2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan
salt and pepper
olive oil

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups water
2 beef bouillon cubes
salt and pepper

1 pound cooked pasta (I used angel hair)

Meatballs

In fry pan over medium high heat, heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil and saute onions until transparent.  Add in garlic and cook until fragrant.  Set aside. 

In large bowl combine beef, eggs and breadcrumbs.  Mix in Parmesan season with salt and pepper.  From in 2 inch balls.

In fry pan over medium heat, heat 1-2 more tablespoons oil.  Place meatballs in pan and brown on all sides.  Set on paper towels when cooked.  Repeat until all are cooked.

Cream Sauce 

In medium saucepan melt 1/2 stick of butter over medium heat.  Stir in flour until smooth.  Slowly stir in cream.  Add in water and bouillon cubes.  Bring to boil and stir until thickened.  Season with salt and pepper. 


Red Velvet Cupcakes

2 cups sugar

2 sticks butter, softened

2 eggs

2 tablespoons cocoa

2 ounces red gel food coloring

2 1/2 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vinegar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In standing mixer bowl cream together butter and sugar.  Add in eggs, mix to combine.  Add in cocoa and food coloring, mix together.

In medium bowl sift together flour and salt.  Mix into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with buttermilk.  Mix in vanilla.

In small dish combine baking soda and vinegar.  Mixture will foam.  Stir into flour mixture.  

Fill each cupcake tin with batter.  A cookie dough scoop works well!  Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Makes about 24 cupcakes.  Allow to cool completely before frosting. 

Cream Cheese Frosting
 
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
5-6 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

In standing mixer bowl cream together cream cheese and butter.  Add in powdered sugar 1 cup at at time, mixing completely before adding more sugar.  Continue adding sugar until desired sweetness is reached.  Mix in vanilla.

When frosting the cupcakes it works best to dip the frosting knife in hot water while frosting to help spread easier!