{Katie’s Kitchen} Simple Baked Meatballs

Brought to you by McCutcheon’s— I am VERY excited to be working with McCutcheon’s for Katie’s Kitchen and can’t wait to use some of their products for my recipes, they have the best preserves, jams, fruit and jellies and so many other products.

In fact, I used their very own marinara for this recipe that you can buy from their store in Frederick!

I’ve never really made meatballs before, but I totally think this recipe was a win!

I used a pound of ground beef 80/20, and made 13 good sized meatballs out of it. My recipe is very similar to how I make my meatloaf.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl combine ground meat, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, egg, cheese, a few drops of Worcestershire, a squirt of ketchup and your breadcrumbs.

Slowly add the water, a few tablespoons at a time, mixing with your hands until everything is just combined.  The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape when rolled into meatballs. Place on your pan on parchment paper.

Bake in the oven to bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they’re cooked though.

While the meatballs bake, heat up your McCutcheon’s marinara on the stove!

Once your meatballs are finished, add them to your delicious sauce and then serve over pasta or with your favorite side.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (less if you prefer, but meat loves salt)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup lukewarm water

 

{Katie’s Baby Blog} Snow Baby!!

Yesterday we got a few inches of snow and I was so excited to finally take Lily outside to play!

I bundled her up as soon as she woke up from her nap and took her outside with my husband. At first she was so confused as to why she was in such a puffy coat and snow boots (that are a little too big for her yet) but she figured it out quickly and sat right down in the snow and wanted to play and pick it up.

We bought this cute sled for her from Walmart as a Christmas gift and it’s perfect for toddlers! It has a small seat and a buckle so you can strap them in. Then it has a rope to pull them around the yard. What a workout!

When she was done with the sled, she walked around the yard and played with snowballs and then decided to eat the snow–which she loved! It was so funny because, I couldn’t get her to stop eating the snow! She was a little upset even, when I picked her up to take her inside.

I’m surprised she loved it so much! Check out the cute picture and video of my little snow bunny below 😉

{Katie’s Kitchen} Cajun Chicken with Lime Rice

Let’s start the new year off right!! With something health(ier) and delicious!

It’s probably more of a summer meal, but it looked too good not to try. This recipe is packed with flavor!

Start with the rice! Boil a large pan of water, add the rice and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is tender. Or if you have a rice cooker, use that! I used a cup of rice.

We used boneless, skinless chicken breasts and drizzled olive oil and then sprinkled our own cajun seasonings on top. I made my own because I didn’t have any and it was easy- salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme and red pepper flakes.

Next, chop your vegetables. Slice a red and green pepper and a yellow onion.

Your chicken and peppers and onions will all go on the grill/ griddle to cook. You can use a skillet on the oven, too. Cook the chicken turning once, until the chicken is charred and no longer pink in the middle. Place on a chopping board to rest whilst you cook the vegetables.

Take your cooked rice and drain. Fluff it up with a fork and stir in the coriander and lime juice and zest.

Add rice between two bowls. Cut the chicken breasts into slices and place on top of the rice. Add the char-grilled peppers and onion and top with the chopped avocado!

Easy and juicy and delicious!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning- salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme and red pepper flakes. I just mixed equal amounts into a small bowl. 
  • 2 skinless chicken breasts
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ red bell pepper sliced
  • ½ yellow bell pepper sliced
  • ½ green bell pepper sliced
  • 1 small onion peeled and sliced
  • 1 small bunch coriander (cilantro), roughly torn
  • 1 lime, juice and zest
  • 1 avocado chopped

 

{Katie’s Baby Blog} Lily Met Santa…and Hated Him

Not surprising at all that a one year old was afraid of Santa. We tried to make it as easy for her as we could. “Santa” showed up at my parents house, a place that she is at a lot.

We all said “hi” to Santa and tried to show her that he was nice, but when it got to the time to sit on his lap….she said “NOPE!”

Her shirt even said “Team Santa”…she was not.

We tried! Santa even gave her a lollipop….which, she gladly accepted and ate…but was not trying to hangout with Santa after that haha!

Poor Lily was just not happy….but I still think the pictures are cute 😉

Peep the picture to the left!  << That’s Lily right after we sat her on Santa’s lap.

Below is the picture of her after she got a lollipop and BEFORE she started crying again.

I think Santa is coming to her daycare Christmas party later today, too….yay.

<3 Happy Holidays!!!

Katie Ryan