Homemade Noodle Dreamdish

Feeling.

It was really simple, but it felt like real cooking. My God what a great opportunity stop time and enjoy the moment of a house will layers of aroma. I am also hoping for the reward of a great meal and a little praise and credit.

I was craving an Italian meal. Feeling like family or the days when our apartment growing up was filled with music, Dad happy, and everything feeling like life.

I wanted something that I imaging but never had for long, a communal table of satisfying foods like a family would prepare. The closest I got was Mom’s Betty Crocker which was a lot of work and rules and was great. Or, my Grandmommy’s spaghetti. Mom said, “Of course you love it, she uses saved bacon fat.”

Ingredients:

I felt I knew what cooks have told us forever. Start with simple ingredients that you already own. Our pantry had a large can of italian tomatos, tomato paste, sliced red bell pepper, and natural Bucatini pasta.

I thawed ground pork while I was at work. For meatballs when it is served, the pork got mixed with egg, a little milk, sour cream, mustard, and garlic. Formed, refrigerated and baked in the oven.

The noodles were boiled in saltwater until not crunchy. Drain and stir with very little olive oil.

In a large saucepan, I sautéed diced onions, then added diced peeled Italian tomatoes, tomato paste, white wine, vodka, water, apple vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper and simmered for a long time. I wanted it aged. I don’t have a better explanation. I wanted to refill our souls after so much stress: 100% at work, hospitals, appointments, farm work, and Mom’s Alzheimer’s dementia.

The meatballs were about 3'“.

I layered the noodles in a casserole pan for the oven. Noodles, then sauce, mozzarella and a shaved slivers of a flavorful white semi-soft cheese (Scandinavian?) and clumps of sour cream. It baked at 400 until it looked good.

The Reward:

It was a hit. “Jeff, this is the best thing you’ve ever made.” [I love, create, take chances, andI fail frequently. It is how I know I am “all in for life”.]. It kept well in containers for the next 10 days of lunch and dinner.

Beautiful.

Scheduling Grass Fed Steaks, Tenderloin and Chops for February

We’re replenishing inventory for our higher end meats like steaks, tenderloin, sausages, and bacon. We process in January for February on-farm pickup and delivery. Large orders or those that include steaks and such may be split to include a second delivery in February. It is the coldest time of year, great for cooking and eating better.

We simplified ordering. Online prices and items are now on one page and available for order. You have the option of choosing a category, like Boxed Meat Delivered.

Boxed Meat Delivered is still the most efficient way to order.

We are taking orders now for Whole Hog or Whole Beef to be ready in February.

We have more items on farm, like Pork Ribs. Send and inquiry and we’ll respond with some choices that are currently in stock.

And more…

Protein, Protein, Protein!

Everybody wants protein. The food industry loves new demand. You can now buy protein added to almost anything including bottled water, milk, and snacks.

As a pre-teen I read everything about body building, marshal arts, science, space, and cars. I could eat protein powder straight. Protein bars were tough before Cliff bars saved us. Egg protein was a favorite sometimes with water, but better with milk and bananas. Then came amino acids each with their own benefit. Never steroids. One it was cheating and two it seemed if a chemical made muscles grow, stretch, and swell then it would not be real growth and would disappear someday, leaving behind a mess.of damaged organs. I always had the idea that health and muscle would let me be happy competing at anything. And yes, I wanted girls to look at me.

A genetic heart condition shifted my priority away from the bursting pressure of heavier lifting.

I have always thought in terms of living in-the-now within the context that a long life is a series of stages. I am a contrarian at heart, so resisting each new health solution or life-hack seems natural.

As I am now in my sixth decade on this planet, I have seen numerous cycles of leading thoughts for good health: more protein, Atkins, amino acids, jogging, complex carbs, aerobics, fasting, carb loading, blue zones, low fat, no fat, Keto, good fats, plant based protein, no processed fats, no processed foods, weight bearing workouts with aging, and now…

Protein, protein, protein! Again.

It is not one thing, it’s everything: stress, activity, friends, fascination, challenge, rest, and what you eat.

If you do everything in moderation, you’ll never be too wrong. Why not try small meals and a Meat Mediterranean Diet.

PS - New on our online store: Meat Boxes with free shipping.