Spaghetti
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 package of sliced white mushrooms
1 jar of Ragu
2 lbs of ground beef
1 box of spaghetti noodles
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon of oregano
1 onion (optional)
Crockpot
First things first, brown your beef in a large sauce pan. After all of your meat is brown, drain it and put it in the Crockpot. If you decide to put the onion in your spaghetti, go ahead and chop it into small pieces now.
Next, combine the can of tomatoes, mushrooms, bay leaf, oregano and optional onion into the Crockpot with your meat. Turn the Crockpot on high and let it cook for about four hours.
One hour before your spaghetti is done, add the jar of Ragu and stir. When you get to 20 minutes before your meat sauce is ready, go ahead and cook your noodles according to the box. At this time you can also prepare a salad and garlic bread to serve your spaghetti with.
After the noodles are done cooking, you can serve the meat sauce on top of the noodles or mixed in. This home-style spaghetti is ideal with a side of Texas Garlic Toast and a fresh salad. Enjoy!
Cake Pops
1 box cake mix (and the ingredients it calls for)
2 bags of colored candy melts
1 can of creamy vanilla frosting
50 lollipop sticks
oil
wax paper or baking pan
1 Styrofoam block
To begin, follow the instructions on your cake mix box to bake your cake. It usually calls for 3 eggs, oil and water. Using two 9 inch pans makes breaking the cake up later much easier. Bake your cake and set it out to cool.
Once your cake it cooled, break it up into a large mixing bowl. Mix in half of the vanilla frosting with the crumbled cake until it becomes doughy. Take a small piece of the doughy cake mix and roll it in your hands until spherical. Place the cake ball onto the wax paper and repeat until all the cake is used.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt half of one bag of candy melts. Stir frequently and if it becomes too thick, add oil for a thinner consistency. Dip one end of a lollipop stick into the candy melts and insert into the cake balls. After they all have a stick, place them into the freezer for 2 to 3 minutes so that the candy can harden and insure the cake will not fall of.
Melt half the bag of your other candy melts, mix and add oil. Take the now cooled cake pop and dip it into the candy melts. Gently tap the stick to the side of the bowl to get rid of excess dripping candy. Place into the Styrofoam block to cool.
Now if you want to get creative, dip a cake pop into one color and drizzle the other color candy melts onto it while still warm. The colors will fuse and turning the pop will give them a marble effect. Let another cake pop cool in one color and once the candy is hardened you can add another color as a decorative top. Melt a few candy melts in a plastic baggy and cut a corner for a perfect detailer! Have fun and be creative!
