Ham and Cheese Cups

March30

This time of year is crazy hectic, so here’s a breakfast recipe that’ll make your life just a little bit easier (at least for a few mornings).Ham and Cheese Cups - Whip up these on Saturday or Sunday and after they’ve cooled, pop them in a resealable freezer bag so you can reheat when you're in a hurry!

Whip up these Ham and Cheese Cups on Saturday or Sunday and after they’ve cooled, pop them in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Zap them in the microwave to reheat. (Uh…take them out of the bag, first!) Very easy. Very delicious.

Season them with your favorite seasoning salt (Old Bay, Lawry’s, etc.) or dried herb blend. You can fill them with whatever you’ve got on hand: chopped ham, cheese, chorizo or sautéed veggies. The best part: they make a great lunch or snack, too.

You can thank me sometime next week when you’re slammed because the alarm didn’t go off… or that it was your turn to drive morning car pool… or you just don’t feel like cooking!

Chicken Marsala Meatballs (plus Tutorial!)

October10

Chicken Marsala Meatballs - Mama's High Strung

Here’s a lovely little appetizer that you’re going to want to bookmark: Chicken Marsala Meatballs.

These tasty little bites are made with deliciously nutty Parmesan cheese and ground chicken, so they stay moist. Marsala wine is a fortified wine from Sicily that gives food, especially sauces, a light sweetness with hints of tamarind and vanilla, and overall deepens the flavor of the dish.

I made Chicken Marsala Meatballs as an appetizer, but you can serve them with the rich wine sauce as a main course over rice or pasta.

Here’s the tutorial… the printable recipe follows!

 

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

1. Gather your ingredients: 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided; ¼ cup finely chopped parsley; 1 pound ground chicken (I used thigh meat); ½ cup breadcrumbs; 2 cloves finely chopped garlic; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; ¼ cup chicken broth; ¼ cup Marsala wine.

Chicken Marsala Meatballs -Mama's High Strung

 

2. Finely grate the Parmesan cheese. Place ½ cup on a plate; set aside remaining ¼ cup. 

Chicken Marsala Meatballs - Mama's High Strung

 

3. Finely chop the parsley; set aside.

 

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

 

4. Place the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper and egg in a large mixing bowl. Blend with your hands or a spoon until well incorporated.

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

 

5. Form into 1-inch balls.

 

 Chicken Marsala Meatballs - Mama's High Strung

 

6. Roll each chicken meatball in the Parmesan cheese on the plate; set aside.

 

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

 

7. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet on medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add meatballs and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often until lightly browned on all sides.

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

 

8. Add chicken broth and Marsala wine. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until cooked through. 

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

 

9. Remove from pan and top with remaining cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

 

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

I shared this recipe On the Monday Handmade Linkup Party... Come over and take a look!

Judy's Handmade Creations

Cherry Pie Ice Cream

September19

My love for sickly-sweet canned cherry pie filling is well-documented. I make no apologies and I’m not ashamed. (And… I am getting help. Really. Not Really.)

Cherry Pie Ice Cream - Mama's High Strung

 

I found a can of cherry pie filling in the back of my pantry (how in the world did THAT get there I wonder?)… I immediately thought, “A pie would be nice, but I don’t feel like making one.” Then it hit me… “Hmmm… ice cream! Yes, that’s the enchantment I can create!”

And I did… Cherry Pie ice Cream.

You don’t have to go through the gymnastics (like I did) of making homemade ice cream. Buy a high-quality vanilla bean ice cream, let it soften a bit and stir-in the canned cherry pie filling. I won’t tell. You definitely have to make the streusel because it is so darn delicious. If there’s any leftover, sprinkle it on your oatmeal.

We both know that there are some things in this world that you know aren’t healthy and should be avoided… but then you don’t. Or won’t.

But it’s okay.

As I always say…fat is your friend!  Besides, you don’t eat like this everyday and, well, it’s nice to spoil those you love once in a while.

Especially yourself.

 

Zucchini and Feta Fritters with Red Pepper Dip

September1

Now that school has started, I’m back to trying to make Meatless Monday a weekly ritual.Zucchini and Feta Fritters- Mama's High Strung

I found a delicious recipe that not only answers that call, but is also easy to make a day or two in advance and even freeze for the future (when School Year Reality hits hard).

Zucchini and Feta Fritters with Roasted Red Pepper Dip are perfect for this time of year because zucchini is so plentiful. Make sure you really WRING OUT the zucchini after shredding it because the fritters will not hold together… major disappointment.

Summer may be over (according to the school-year calendar), but we can still hold on to some of the delicious flavors of the season with these Zucchini and Feta Fritters!

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Hi…
I’m Christina Chavez

I was a TV journalist for many years, but with a house full of kids I decided to come off the road, go to culinary school and follow my passion for cooking. Mama’s High Strung is all about food… everything from creative recipe ideas to some really cool kitchen gadgets and cooking tips. I live in Chicago, but I love to travel and write about my food discoveries! You can reach me by email: mamashighstrung@gmail.com