Mulled Spiced Cider

2 of my kids LOVE hot cider. I just got this recipe off the box - the key is to let it steep for at least a good hour.

Mulled Spiced Cider
4 packets Alpine brand Spiced Apple Cider (original)
3 c water
1/2 c pineapple juice
3 whole cloves or equal amount of ground cloves
3-4 cinnamon sticks

Add everything together in a medium saucepan and cook low and slow.

French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup - the way you want to eat it without looking like a mess!

French Onion Soup

4 large yellow onions

1 1/2 cups butter

1 generous cup dry white wine

4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium beef broth

4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

4 to 5 dashes Worcestershire sauce

2 cubes of beef bouillon

2 cloves garlic, minced

Croutons:
Several thick slices French bread or baguette
Olive oil, for drizzling
8 ounces Gruyere cheese, sliced thick

For the soup: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the onions in half from root to tip, then slice them thin.
Melt the butter in a heavy ovenproof pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions, stir to coat them in the butter and cook, covered, until translucent and soft, about 20 minutes.
Transfer the pot to the oven with the lid slightly ajar. Roast the onions for 1 hour, stirring twice to keep them from burning. (Some brown bits on the bottom of the pan are fine though.)
Return the pot to the stovetop over medium heat (keep the oven on) and pour in the wine. Stir, scraping the pan. Cook until the wine reduces, 5 minutes. Next, add the beef broth, chicken broth, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 45 minutes. It simmered/was on low for a few hours after it was done based on my time frame and when people came over - so I added a pinch of salt and 2 beef bouillion cubes to enhance the flavor because it had been simmering for so long.

For the croutons: Meanwhile, drizzle slices of French bread with olive oil and toast in the oven until golden. Set aside.

To serve, turn on the oven broiler. Ladle the soup into ovenproof bowls. Place 1 or 2 pieces of the croutons on top of each serving of soup, depending on the size of the bowl. Place a thick slice of cheese on top of each bowl, then place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil just long enough for the cheese to become melted, bubbly and slightly toasted. I have to admit. I was the only one of the 10 of us that did this.

We tend to do things family style around here. I had a big pot of French Onion soup on the stove with 6-8 oz mugs and a 1 TBSP ladle adjacent. I put several cheeses out (gruyere, swiss, provolone, havarti) and a huge tray of croutons out. Everyone made their own the way they wanted and everyone was happy. My kind of party. 

My kids liked theirs served in the mugs with the cheese on top of the hot soup topped with a crouton. Several of our guests tore up the croutons and added them into the soup before adding the cheese to let it melt. 

The BEST THING about making French Onion Soup at home is that you don't have to be embarressed about the mess!!! AND French Onion Soup is SO INEXPENSIVE to pull off for a crowd - you just need time.

Tuna Italian

I didn't grow up with tuna casserole. Frankly - I'm sure that if my mom ever made it NONE of the 6 of her kids would've eaten it - and my Dad would've choked it down bc he was always grateful to have a hot meal on the table.  

I got this recipe from my sister in laws Mom, Sam - who I've known for 25 years and whom I absolutely adore. Last time I saw her she told me that my sister in law requests this casserole every time she goes home. She also told me that her husband (who is very POSH and picky) requests it every time Sam gets back in town. That sold me. I've yet to make it - bc it's hotter than blazes here - but it's on my list of must make when the weather cools down a bit.

Tuna Italian aka fancy Tuna Casserole
1/2 c chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
6 oz can evaporated milk or 2/3 c light cream
1/3 c grated parmesan cheese
6 1/2, 7 or 9 1/4 ounce tuna
3 oz can broiled sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 c chopped ripe olives
2 T minced parsley
2 t lemon juice
6 oz (3 cups) noodles, cooked and drained

Cook onion in small amount of hot fat till tender, but not brown. Add soup, milk and cheese; heat and stir. Break tuna in chunks; add with remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 2 qt. casserole. Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese and paprika.
Bake at 375 degrees 20-25 minutes. top with minced parsley and ripe-olive slices as shown. Pass lemon wedges to squirt over. Makes 6 servings.

Sam's notes: Lots more lemon than it says. She only uses jarred tuna packed in oil.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Game nights are back - only we're on over drive!! M has practice 3 x a week after school as well as 2 games a week. I and P both practice twice a week with games usually on Saturday. J is in his Senior year with all that entails - as well as swim team and working - so we're lucky to sit down together around 8pm - or eat as we can. 

Eating around our dinner table has always been very important to me but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do!

I've tried a few different recipes for 'sweet and sour' dinners without a winner - but this one is a keeper!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Frozen meatballs (as many as you need)
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks with juice
¾ cup water
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Seperately:
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

Serve over rice (my fave new find is the Uncle Bens or Golden Star Jasmine rice that come in 90 sec. microwave packets.)

Add all components together EXCEPT meatballs and the cornstarch/water slurry.

Heat up the sweet and sour liquid. With an immersion blender - blend until smooth(ish) THEN add the slurry. Stir until combined and then add the meatballs.

Depending on your schedule - cook on low for a couple hours - or high for a couple. With my schedule tonight, I put it on high for a bit (anticipating hungry teenage boy packing his dinner) and then flipped it to low for the rest of the family that would be eating later this evening.