SWEEDISH MEATBALLS

During my first year of marriage, I was still in the "try to impress with my cooking skills" frame of mind. I had a new husband to cook for and a child who was being introduced to the new world of home cooked meals. So one day I came across this yummy recipe for Sweedish Meatballs in the crock pot. I came home during my lunch break and made the meatballs. I browned them in a frying pan and put them in the crockpot with everything else and turned it on. The plan WAS that by the time I got home, they would be done and the house would have this wonderful mouthwatering aroma. Didn't quite go that way. Scott came home early and yes, there was an aroma filling the kitchen that was tantalizing. Enough so that he picked up the lid to the crockpot to find out what it was. That's when he called me at work a little worried at what I was planning on feeding him for dinner. I got home from work only to find that the meatballs did not hold their form and it was a big crockpot of....MUSH! But good smelling mush. I had used the extra lean hamburger wich did NOT hold together well once I shaped them into meatballs. So, my dear sweet husband gave the entire pot to the garbage disposal Gods and we went out to dinner.
I have SINCE found an easier way to make Sweedish Meatballs. But Scott still cringes at the mere mention of them. He will eat my easier version but never lets me forget my first attempt at homemade meatballs. I have gotten better at making meatballs, but won't make them that way again!
So, for anyone who would like to impress your family with an easy version of Sweedish Meatballs that is NOT in a crockpot, here's my wonderful recipe. My husband eats this one and cleans his plate everytime!

1 large can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 12 oz. can Evaporated Milk
1 Pkg. frozen sweedish meatballs
1 pkg. medium egg noodles
1/2 tsp. (or less) nutmeg
pepper

Place frozen meatballs, soup and milk in a large skillet and place on Med. heat. Sprinkle in your seasonings and cover with a lid and simmer for about 15-20 min. stirring frequently. Cook your noodles according to the package directions. To serve, pour meatballs and soup over noodles and enjoy!

ROASTED PORK LOIN & VEGGIES

I admit, I am NOT the biggest vegeatble fan. I think because growing up my parents only knew one way how to prepare them...BOIL THE HECK OUT OF THEM. That way, they were mushy, soggy and tasteless. And they expected us kids to eat them! GROSS! Now that I'M the parent, I rarely boil any vegetables. This is one of my absolute favorite ways to eat any and all veggies though;and my kids seem to think it's pretty darn good. You can use any type of roast meat or even a whole chicken. It's fast, easy and makes a wonderful Sunday dinner. Or if you need to impress the inlaws who have called to say they are coming over tomorrow night.

With most of my roasts, I pour just a little oil over it and rub it all over. This will help all seasoning stick to the meat instead of falling off as you turn it to season all sides. My rub of choice for my pork loin was Pappy's Prime Rib Rub. Pappy's is a popular seasoning that is made in Fresno and sold throughout California. Here in Utah, it's been a little harder to find. I have found it at the meat market and occasionaly at Kent's market. I'm sorry if neither of these are close to you. Just find a REALLY GOOD rub and cover that hunk of meat!

Place your roast on the rack of your roasting pan. You do NOT want the meat touching the bottom of the pan. Choose all your veggies and dice them up. For this dish I chose: Asparagus, carrots, onions, cabbage, mushrooms, potatoes and fresh garlic. (Fresh garlic is ALWAYS a must for me!) I threw all these veggies in a bowl, added a little oil, Balsalmic Vinegar and my favorite vegetable seasoning. McCormick Perfect Pinch Vegetable Seasoning. Sprinkle generously over your veggies then layer your vegetables around your meat. I baked mine at 435 deg. for about an hour. (MAKE SURE you bake according to your meat thermometer)

The finished product is both beautiful and delicious. I made a Lemon Basil rice pilaf to accompany our dinner. Though my 2 year old would have NOTHING to do with it, my other two boys were raving about it during dinner. The only sad part was, everyone got tired of leftovers so the dog got what was left. Yes, a perfectly wonderful meal had gone to the dog; AFTER the family had their fill though.