The 2 Spoons

love this spicy smoked sausage and potato hash

January 28, 2022 by Becky Spoon

This smoked sausage and potato hash is a perfect example of more cooking from my pantry, especially during these times that we are trying to find ingredients available. I always keep smoked sausage in my freezer for hash and other dishes and all of the other ingredients are always on hand.

what are the ingredients?

potato
white onion
red pepper
green pepper
jalapeno
smoked sausage

love this spicy smoked sausage and potato hash

You do not have to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful everyday meal. Some of the best meals are those you just make from things you have on hand like this smoked sausage and potatoes. Sometimes recipes aren’t about a flashy dish, but a reminder to make something and many times just learning a technique that works better. Eat what brings you joy.

a couple of tips.

Use a nonstick pan if you have one. Using a non tick pan prevents you from having to use so much oil, actually you just need you to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
Start your heat on high before you add the potatoes. Once you’ve added them to the skillet brown the potatoes on the first side before turning them without really softening them.
dice your potatoes in uniform cubes to cook evenly.

You can add most vegetables of your choice. Mushrooms would be great! We love to add okra! An added bonus is to top with a fried egg that makes its own sauce and is absolutely delicious!

If you are on a budget and can’t afford one of the more expensive brands, this is a great price for two non-stick skillets. https://amzn.to/3rXEyie

love this smoked sausage and potato hash

Whether for breakfast or for your main meal at night, this is an inexpensive and a filling, delicious dish for your family that can include many of the things you need for your daily requirements. We love this for breakfast topped with a fried egg! It is the best. This morning I had spinach I needed to use so I tossed in some fresh spinach!

My black pepper buttermilk biscuits will be perfect with this dish! https://the2spoons.com/decadent-black-pepper-buttermilk-biscuits/

Hope you make this soon! Economical yet delicious and hearty! Be sure to have hot sauce on hand.

Smoked Sausage and Potato Hash

Print Recipe

CourseBreakfast, dinner, Lunch

CuisineAmerican

Keywordbiscuits, biscuits and gravy, hash, homemade biscuits, potato, smoked sausage, smoked sausage potato hash

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Servings Servings

Ingredients

3 Large potatoes, diced
1 Onion, diced
1/4 bell pepper, diced
1/4 red bell pepper, diced
1 small jalapeno, diced or 1/2 of a whole
1/2 Lb Smoked sausage, sliced or diced
Oil for cooking potatoes
2 tbsp oil or butter for frying your eggs

Instructions

Pour enough oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet. I use a a nonstick skillet. Heat the skillet to high, not smoking and add the potatoes . Brown the potatoes on one side and turn. Add the other ingredients except the sausage, combine. Lower the heat to very low or a simmer and cover and cook until the potatoes have softened, but not done. You don’t want them to be mushy because you are going to remove the lid and brown them more.
Remove the lid, turn your heat to high, and quickly brown the potatoes turning until you have a crispy potato. Add the smoked sausage and heat through. Add fresh greens if you are adding, and just toss. Serve in individual bowls or plates and top with your fried eggs.

love these delicious italian meatballs.

January 26, 2022 by Becky Spoon

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I love these Italian meatballs! They are tender and delicious! They are browned in olive oil, then plunged into a delicious tomato sauce.

what’s in the meatballs

So the meatballs are a blend of 80/20 ground beef, ground pork and ground veal. Eggs, Italian bread crumbs, salt and pepper, fresh parsley and pecorino ramono are the other ingredients. Sometimes I add grated onion and grated garlic. Sometimes I add dried oregano. I didn’t in this recipe, but I love the taste of oregano in homemade meatballs.

don’t forget the cheese

Make sure you have parmigiana reggiano on hand to grate over the top! Or your favorite parmesan will work or more pecorino Romano.

In Italy meatballs aren’t served over spaghetti! That was started my Italian Immigrants in America. So, don’t think you have to serve with pasta, just grab some bread to sop the sauce. I did make some spaghetti as I like meatballs both ways! Mashed potatoes are excellent to serve these alongside.

Of course most kiddos love it with spaghetti! And don’t we all? Spaghetti with meatballs is delicious! So many of us grew up eating Spaghetti and meatballs.

Let’s talk about the sauce

I have a simple marinara sauce that is perfect for meatballs. Here’s the link for the meat sauce: Basic Marinara Sauce. In this instance I used a jar of Rao’s marinara because that’s what I had in my pantry. I love all the Rao sauces. One of my favorites of theirs is the Arrabbiaita sauce. It is a little spicy and has a kick to it.

Because I needed more sauce than what’s in a regular size jar of sauce, I added a large can of San Marzano tomatoes. I only had whole tomatoes so I poured them into a bowl and broke them up with my hands. To the saucepan that I’m heating the sauce, I add the can of broken up San Marzano tomatoes. If I did not have a the tomatoes from Italy that are ripe, sweet and delicious, I would have made a homemade sauce with my recipe and use any can of whole tomatoes and just add a little sugar.

These tomatoes are some that I buy: https://amzn.to/3u0C2dz.

let’s get the recipe for these delicious Italian Meatballs.

Italian Meatballs

Print Recipe

CourseMain Course

CuisineItalian

Keywordham, cheese, breakfast, eggs, cheddar, omelette, delicious, homemade, Italian, italian meatballs, meatballs, spaghetti, tomato sauce

Ingredients

1/2 Lb 80/20 ground beef
1/2 Lb ground veal
1/2 Lb ground pork
2 Large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 Cup pecorino Romano finely grated
4 garlic cloves, minced or grated
1/4-1/2 Cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/4 Cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 Tsp salt
olive oil for frying

for the sauce

2 28 oz San Marzano tomatoes
1/2 Cup extra virgin olive oil
4-5 garlic cloves minced
1 Pinch red pepper flakes
1 Tsp salt
6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced.
a little sugar if tomatoes are bitter

Instructions

meatballs

Gently combine all meatball ingredients, (except the oil), in a large bowl making sure to not overwork.
Roll into 1+1/2 inch balls.
Roll into 1+1/2 inch balls.
Heat the oil in a large sauce pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the meatballs to the pot and bown them in batches, for a few minutes on each side. They won't be cooked all the way through.
Remove and set aside until the sauce is prepared, then simmer them in the sauce for 45 minutes.

For the sauce

If you are using your favorite tomato sauce you’ll need 2 jars at least add it to the sane pan as you cooked your meatballs. Heat through and add the meatballs and cook covered for about 30 minutes on a simmer.
I used a jar of my favorite and a can of whole San Marzano tomatoes that I crushed.
If you’re making from scratch:
Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour a little water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
In the same pot you cooked the meatballs, over medium heat, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. As soon as the garlic and red pepper flakes start to sizzle (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add the salt and stir. Bring to a gentle boil then reduce the heat. Add the meatballs and simmer about 45 minutes.
Add the basil and serve with your favorite pasta or with mashed potatoes!

love these duchess baked potatoes.

November 19, 2021 by Becky Spoon

If you’ve ever asked if mashed potatoes can be cooked ahead, the answer is this recipe. The texture is like that of a twice-baked potato.

Sometimes you want a potato dish a little more special and these Duchess Baked Potatoes are just that.

This dish would be a great alternative to standard mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving and perfect for your Christmas prime rib.

love these duchess baked potatoes.

This recipe is decadent with garlic, heavy cream, rich egg yolks and Yukon gold potatoes.

Lighter than a twice baked potato, I think these are a perfect side dish for any entree.

Want another potato recipe? Try my buttery mashed potatoes! They are delicious: delicious buttery mashed potatoes!!

Duchess Baked Potatoes

Print Recipe

CourseSide Dish

CuisineAmerican, holiday

Keywordpotatoes, youkon, bakedpotatoes, holiday, sidedish

Servings Servings

Ingredients

12 Medium Youkon Gold Potatoes 3 1/2 -4 pounds)
Kosher salt
5 Large egg yolks
2 Garlic cloves, finely grated
1 1/4 Cups Heavy cream
3/4 cup sour cream
10 Tbsp Unsalted butter, melted
2 Tsp pink or black peppercorns, finely ground

Instructions

Place potatoes in a large pot and pour in water to cover by 2”; season with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until a paring knife very easily slides through potatoes, 25-36 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk egg yolks, garlic, cream, sour cream, butter, and peppercorns in a large bowl. Season generously with salt.
Peal Potatoes.
Pass peeled potatoes through a ricer or a food mill (or mash them by hand if you don’t mind a few lumps).
Shred them right into the bowl with the egg mixture. Fold in gently being careful not to overmix. Transfer to a 3 quart baking dish and decoratively shingle or swirl the surface. Bake, rotating once, until golden brown and slightly puffed, 30 or 40 minutes.

You’ll love this Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole!

November 18, 2021 by Becky Spoon

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Who doesn’t love a sweet potato casserole for the holiday meal, especially Thanksgiving?

This is my sisters recipe and my Mom loved it. We always had a sweet potato dish for Thanksgiving, sometimes with marshmallows, sometimes candied but this one topped with a brown sugar mixture and pecans make it extra special. Thank you for the recipe sister Jackie!

Simply Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole

This recipe has the following ingredients:

sweet potatoes
sugar
butter
eggs
vanilla
cup milk

For the topping:

butter
light brown sugar
flour
pecans

How can you go wrong with such delicious ingredients? I added some pomegranate to the top for color.

Serve this as a side dish to this beautiful Turkey!

Beautiful Dry Brined Spiced Roast Turkey

Simply Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole

Here’s the recipe for this delicious casserole! Follow “the 2 spoons” for so many more delicious recipes!

Print Recipe

CourseSide Dish

CuisineAmerican

Prep Time45

Cook Time25

Total Time1 10

Servings servings

Print Recipe

Ingredients

6 cups sweet potatoes boiled and mashed up about 5 large sweet potatoes
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup milk

For the Topping

1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix cooked and mashed sweet potatoes with next five ingredients , the sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk. Put mixture in a buttered 9×13 casserole dish.
Mix the melted butter, light brown sugar, flour and pecans and sprinkle on the top.
Bake for about 25 minutes. Casserole will be puffed and begin to brown on top! Delicious!

love this chile con queso.

November 17, 2021 by Becky Spoon

This chile con queso is beefy with the addition of ground beef, loaded with tomato and green chile, and cream of mushroom soup!! The soup just makes it yummy and delicious!

love this chile con queso.

Always a favorite in Texas this is quick and easy! I made the tortilla chips with those street taco tortillas that Mission Brand makes. I just quartered then, fried them in a little vegetable oil, then sprinkled them with a little New Mexico Chile Powder! Yum! Here’s the link for the Mission Street taco tortillas: https://www.missionfoods.com/products/street-tacos-white-corn-tortillas/.

I love to serve this with my brisket chili!! It is the perfect accompaniment! Here’s the link for my Brisket Chili! You have to try it! Delicious and perfect for game day treats and all your holiday cmpany coming! https://the2spoons.com/essential-texas-brisket-chili/.

love this chile con queso.

Here’s the recipe!! Enjoy! Make it this weekend! Perfect fall weather food, Queso and homemade chili.

As a bonus, make my Crazy Leftover Texas brisket Chili and Beef Queso Dip Burger

leftover chli and beef queso dip burgers

chile con queso

Print Recipe

CourseAppetizer, Cheese, mexican

CuisineMexican, Texmex

Keywordbeef queso dip, dip, game day food, queso

Ingredients

1 Lb ground beef
2 Lbs Velveeta Cheese, cut into cubes
1 Can Rotes (tomatoes and green chile)
1 Can Cream of mushroom soup
Pickled jalapeños (optional) New Mexico Red Chile Powder (optional)

Instructions

Add the ground beef to a large skillet or pot and cook breaking up with a spoon until brown. Drain, then season with a little salt and pepper to taste.
Add the meat back to the pan and add the Cream of mushroom soup and combine. Add the Rotel tomatoes and green chile and heat through. Add the cubed velveeta, lower the heat and cook until all the cheese has melted and the dip is creamy and ingredients are combined.
Add pickled jalapeños if you like. I add a little chile powder too!! Enjoy!

delicious buttery mashed potatoes!!

November 14, 2021 by Becky Spoon

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Honestly? How can you have Turkey and dressing and gravy without mashed potatoes? Our favorite way for Thanksgiving is just simple and loaded with butter. Yes, there is a lot of butter, but this is Thanksgiving and a special occasion calls for special side dishes. These are so delicious and so easy.

Everyone ask, what potatoes should I use? The answer is the Russet Potato. They are starchy, not waxy, they are dry and mealy, perfect for mashing. A great alternative is Yukon Gold Potato.

Another question is, what’s the best way to mash them? I use a potato ricer. You can also use a hand masher or a food mill if you have one. This is the kind I have: https://amzn.to/2YMBAmb. They are the best!

Delicious Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Here’s another mashed potato recipe I love! It has fried shallots on top! Yes! So delicious and a great presentation. Popular – Creamy and Buttery Mashed Potatoes with Fried Shallots

Creamy and Buttery Mashed Potatoes with Fried Shallots

Serve these with my perfect Turkey and Dressing!https://the2spoons.com/the-best-southern-cornbread-dressing/ and https://the2spoons.com/beautiful-dry-brined-spiced-roast-turkey/. Best dressing and turkey recipe!

Hope you like this recipe!

Print Recipe

CourseSide Dish

CuisineAmerican

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Ingredients

4 or 5 lbs Russet potatoes
1-2 Tbsp Kosher Salt
1 1/2 stick unsalted butter, sliced
1/2 to 2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
2 tbsp melted butter for pouring over the finished mashed potatoes
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Dice potatoes and cook in a pan of salted water until very tender, about 20 minutes, checking near the end with a fork for doneness. Try to have uniform pieces to allow even cooking. When done drain well in a colander. Rice the potatoes back into the pan, put them through a food mill or mash your favorite way. Add the butter and salt and pepper and stir. Check one more time for the seasoning.
Add the potatoes to a serving bowl, pour the melted butter and add chopped parsley.

Notes

If you are not serving the mashed potatoes soon, you can keep them warm over a pan of simmering water. Add the parsley at the last minute along with the final melted butter if you do this.