Growing up, I always looked forward to family dinners. When my dad got off work early enough to cook, there was about a 50-50 chance that we would be treated to a real Italian feast. My personal favorite, spaghetti and meatballs, was reserved for special occasions. The sauce was memorable, certainly, but the meatballs were the real star of the show. Here’s one of the Italian meatball recipes I still follow to this day.

Ingredients:
2 pounds of ground beef, veal and pork mixture
2 eggs
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ cup fresh parsley, minced
1 cup bread crumbs
salt, to taste
splash of milk

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients except garlic in a large mixing bowl. Shape into meatballs.
2. Fry until browned in one of your skillets with olive oil and garlic. Add to tomato sauce, allow to simmer there for at least 3 hours.

Here’s a delicious and simple recipe for a Southwest inspired egg omelet. In addition to the ingredients, you’ll need a hot surface, one of your cast iron pans, and a spatula.

Ingredients:

3 large eggs
½ cup grated pepper jack cheese
1 chopped jalapeno

Directions:

Crack your three eggs and place them in the nonstick cookware pan, then mix them around a bit.  Turn your hot surface to medium-high heat, and place the pan on top.  In about 2-3 minutes, the eggs should start to become hardened on the bottom.  This is when you will want to place the grated cheese and chopped jalapeno on one side of the egg.  Wait another minute, and then flip one half of the egg onto the other, creating the omelet.  Quick and easy, and a great way to kick off your day!

There are few items that are essential for every American home, and a set of cookware is one of them. Everyone from college students living on their own for the first time to 100-year-old great grandparents have some form of cookware in their home. Because cookware is such a staple in every household, you should put some thought into your purchasing decision.

Since you know that you are going to be using the pots and pans for years on a daily basis, be sure to opt for durable cookware. It is worth the extra money if you don’t have to be constantly replacing items out of the set. With so many sizes of sets available, think about your particular needs before you go buy a 24-piece deluxe set for just you and your spouse.

1 cup canned or fresh pureed pumpkin
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup canola or veg oil
2 Teaspoons ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour OR unbleached white flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon each: baking soda, cinnamon, salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnut – optional
3 teaspoons raw sugar - optional

Heat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Blend Pumpkin, Water, Oil, Flax Seeds and Vanilla until well blended. Set aside.

Mix together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; in a large bowl, add pumpkin mixture stir until well blended (add a little water if mixture seems too dry). Fold in Chocolate Chips and Nuts , if you are using them.

Spoon into cast iron muffin pans and top with raw sugar if using it.
Bake approx 30 min
Yield: 12 muffins