Julie's Spaghetti Red & Pumpkin Pie

I made these items for our dinner and dessert yesterday.

Mel introduced me to a new dish: Spaghetti Red.  I had never heard of it, but he said his father, Paul, used to make it for him all the time as they both loved this dish a lot.  Back then, it was a can of chili on top of spaghetti with added raw onion and hot sauce.  We did not have chili, so I improvised, and it turned out so very yummy that Mel said it was better than what he had as a kid & I loved it so much I think I'll  make it on a regular basis.  I simply sautéed the onion in butter & balsamic vinegar, then added the pinto beans with the above spices in the 2nd pic.  Then I added the sauce w/ a little more chili powder.  Tossed it all together w/ the noodles.  Mine were topped with just cheese, but I added hamburger and salsa with the cheese to Mel's.  We both give this a 12 out of 10!!

The pie & crust recipe was from the can of pumpkin.  The crust was a 10, but the pie was disappointing.  We both give it a 8.  The recipe did not call for enough spice and it was rather bland.  I added cinnamon-ginger-sugar topping, but it still could have been better.

Julie's Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

I didn't get a picture of the ingredients because I didn't think to take a picture of them.  I made this dish for Mel on the 19th.  Except for the cheese, we were given all the food items I used to create this dish.  The ingredients were: ground turkey, pinto beans, onion, and taco cheese all stuffed into jalapeno peppers (plus spices).  Mel really loved this and gives it a 12 out of 10 - says they were "beyond belief good!"

Cumin-Cilantro Rub

I made this rub for chicken (the recipe is for turkey) for Mel on the 15th.  (we had been given a free chicken)  He said it turned out very excellent - a 10!  It smelled really good!  I did not make the gravy in the last photo, but just wanted to show how it looked before Mel ate it!

Apple Zucchini Bread & Triple-Layer Lemon Pie

I also made these 2 items for my mom's b-day dinner.  This bread recipe calls for pears (which is also very good) but I used what I had available and thought apple AND zucchini would be a good combination.  Yep!  So super yummy - can't wait to make it again! 

The lemon pie was good but, I thought the lemon curd topping was too tangy and would use less lemon juice next time.  The shortbread crust and cream cheese layers were really good though.

Penne w/ Basil Pesto & Garlic Pepper Cheddar Biscuits

My mom & Frank visited us this weekend for my mom's b-day.  I made a lot of food for all of us.  The biscuits, I think, were the most popular item.  I changed the recipe a lot b/c I ran out of butter so I substituted with cream cheese.  Then I added garlic pepper & cheddar cheese.  They were so good I'm making them again tomorrow.

The only recipe I used for the pasta dish was for the pesto sauce.  Then I added my own way of cooking chicken (for the meat-eaters) and sautéed the peppers & tomatoes in balsamic vinegar & oil for the topping.  This was super yummy!! 

The Ludeke Family Tuna Casserole

I just recently started making tuna casserole for Mel.  This is the 3rd time I've made it since we moved as it has become a monthly request from him!  I never added onions & green peppers to it before (I haven't actually made it in about 6 years since I became vegetarian), but Mel said his late mother used to make it that way.  Therefore the peppers & onions are Marie's idea, and the cream of chicken soup and egg noodles (instead of traditional cream of mushroom & macaroni ) were Mel's idea, and the black beans, corn, and fresh tomatoes are my idea, which is why I call this "Ludeke" Casserole, since 3 Ludekes are responsible for its creation!!  Mel says it is the best tuna casserole he has ever had, and gives it a huge 10!  I'm sure I'll make it again in January!

"The Love Birds Cafe" Gift Label

These are the very amateur gift labels I made for the cookies I gave.  (The butterscotch cookies were under the gingerbread).  I will most likely make these each time I gift food items.

Cream Cheese Cut Out Cookies & White Chocolate Gingerbread

These are the other 2 kinds of cookies I made for gifts.  I have made the top ones and posted them on the blog before.  This time I used black cherry Jell-O as the flavoring.  They are always good, a 9 or 10.

Mel & I both say these gingerbread cookies are a new favorite of ours, a huge 10!  You are supposed to put kisses on top, but I thought it would be easier to add the chips to the batter.  I will make them a again!!

Velvety Fudge & Butter Pecan Cookies

I made 4 kinds of cookies for giving as gifts.  The fudge is really yummy, but never solidified enough to give away.  I made it with white chocolate chips and walnuts.  Tastes so good, easily a 10! 

I would actually call the other cookies "Butterscotch Walnut Shortbread."  Also very good, a 9.  Last time I made them I used coconut cream pie pudding since I didn't have butterscotch, and that was good, but I like these better.

Cheese Tortellini w/ Butternut Squash & French Onion Steak Burgers

I made the cheese tortellini for me & the burgers for Mel.  I give the pasta & squash an 8, could be better, but was pretty good.  Mel loves these burgers with the sauce over cheese toast, he gives them a definite 10 (this is the 2nd time I've made them as this is a big request for him now).