The Best Homemade Meatballs Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian herb seasoning
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup fine or panko bread crumbs

How to make it

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat 2 large, rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well incorporated. Try not to overmix.
3. Pinch off a teaspoon or so of the meat mixture and gently roll it into a 1-inch ball. Repeat, arranging the balls 1/2 inch apart on the baking sheets. Bake the meatballs until lightly browned and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
   
   Eat 'em right away: Toss warm meatballs with your favorite barbecue sauce and serve them on toasted sandwich rolls with a side of coleslaw.
   
   Freeze 'em for later: Arrange cooled meatballs evenly spaced on a baking sheet and freeze them for 20 minutes. Transfer them to ziplock freezer bags and store them for up to three months.
4. Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/best-homemade-meatballs

Taco Cups Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1 can refried beans
• 1/2 pound cooked taco-seasoned meat
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1 bag Tostitos® "Scoops!"

Notes:

Makes 8-12 cups

How to make it

1. Set chips on a large platter and layer with beans, meat, cheddar, salsa, sour cream and black olives
2. Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/taco-cups

Bacon and Cheese Appetizer Bites Recipe!

What you'll need

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup Hungry Jack® Buttermilk Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix
• 1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Paprika

How to make it

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with no-stick cooking spray.
2. Mix sour cream and water in medium bowl until well combined. Add pancake mix, cheese and bacon pieces. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with paprika. Serve warm.
4. Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/bacon-and-cheese-appetizer-bites

Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1/2 pound (2 cups) elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg, beaten

Notes:

makes 48

Variations:

Try adding cooked and chopped bacon, shredded chicken, or vegetables during step 4 for a different twist!

How to make it

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and arrange the oven racks in the upper and bottom thirds. Grease two mini muffin tins with butter or cooking spray.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside until needed.
3. In a sauce pot over medium heat, combine butter and flour. Whisk until butter is melted and mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. While whisking, slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add 1 1/2 cup of cheese, cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
4. In a large bowl, stir to combine pasta, cheese sauce, and egg. Spoon mac and cheese into muffin tins and top each with a small pinch of remaining cheese. Place one tin on the upper rack and one on the bottom. Bake for 15 minutes, switching the positions of the tins once during baking. Remove tins and allow to cool 5 minutes before gently removing the bites. Serve.
5. Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/mac-and-cheese-bites

Pizza Pinwheels Recipe!

What you'll need

• Flour for dusting dough
• 1 pizza dough
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce, plus more for serving
• 1 cup fontina or mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup cooked ground sausage or hamburger
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Notes:

makes 12

How to make it

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup.
2. 
   Dust a work surface with flour. Place room temperature dough on the flour and flip it to coat both sides. Roll the dough into a 13" wide circle or rectangle.
3. 
   Spoon sauce evenly over the entire pizza dough. Top with cheese, cooked sausage, and oregano.
4. 
   Using your hands, roll the dough starting from the bottom and working up forming a roll. With a serrated knife, slice the dough into 1" sections. Place each section on the baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Allow to cool slightly before serving and serve with additional marinara or ranch dressing for dipping. 
   
   
   
   

My Favorite Restaurants for 2012!

Here is my list of my top places that I went to go and eat at in 2012! In no particular order just in chronological order!

25 Degrees in Huntington Beach - Best Place for a burger and an "adult" milkshake
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/01/review-of-25-degrees-in-huntington.html

Cocoa Lounge - only available near Valentine's Day - all you can eat chocolate!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/02/review-of-cocoa-lounge-2012.html

Game Day Fire-Grilled Hot Dogs - home of some very inventive hot dogs!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/02/review-of-game-day-fire-grilled-hot.html

Izzy's Bagels - best place for an amazing variety of bagels and cream cheeses!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/02/review-of-izzys-bagels.html

Chapter One - Best Sunday Brunch - endless mimosas and Sinatra music!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/02/review-of-chapter-one-modern-local.html

Nadine's Irish mist - my favorite Irish pub!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/05/review-of-nadines-irish-mist.html

The Ranch - one of the best high end meals I had all year!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/03/review-of-ranch.html

Kula Revolving Sushi Bar - one of the best and affordable!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/06/review-of-kula-revolving-sushi-bar.html

Poquito Mas - one of my favorite places to eat near The Walt Disney Studio!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/07/review-of-poquito-mas.html

Honda-Ya - one of my favorite places for Japanese food!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/08/review-of-honda-ya-in-fullerton-yakitori.html

Portola Coffee Lab - the best cup of coffee in SoCal!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/09/review-of-portola-coffee-lab-perfect.html

Theorem - the best place to be educated on coffee!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/10/theorem-review-by-chelsea.html

Seventh Tea Bar - soon to be my favorite place for tea!
http://www.sasakitime.com/2012/12/media-preview-seventh-tea-bar-december.html