Cook with Concetta: Tomato Sauce

Cook with Concetta: Tomato Sauce: "There was a time not too long ago, that I would not be caught dead, with a jar of tomato sauce. I guess I was an Italian cooking snob. lol...."

Tomato Sauce

There was a time not too long ago, that I would not be caught dead, with a jar of  tomato sauce. I guess I was an Italian cooking snob. lol. Those sauces used to be horrible, but honestly today, I do use them, they are great in an emergency, most times when I do use them, I will use it as a base and add my own on top of it. Ragu with onions and garlic is a pretty good one, even the store brands that are plain are pretty good.
If I am in a hurry to make sauce, I will open the jar put it in a pot and add to it what ever I have, in the pantry such as diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, paste and some water. I also add my own seasonings, oregano, basil, fresh garlic and chopped onions. This really cooks up quicker than just starting from scratch.
You could also add fresh or canned mushroom, wine, or what ever you have that you might like.
If you want to make meat sauce using one of these sauces, it is simple and easy. Take your ground beef at least a pound or more, and brown it in a frying pan. Drain some of the fat that comes out from the meat, and add the sauce. If you like you can add some of the spices and vegetables we mentioned before, maybe some grated cheese. Pour over your choice of cooked pasta, 1 lb and you have a very inexpensive and fairly quick dinner.
Serve with salad and some Italian bread or rolls.
The cost of this meal is including salad and bread will be about  $3.00 per person.

If you would like to order a loaf of Zucchini Bread, I can freeze and send second day air. To place your order contact me at Riposta@hotmail.com.  Cost including shipping is 15.00 each.

Cook with Concetta: I don't use spray stuff in my baking pans I am old...

Cook with Concetta: I don't use spray stuff in my baking pans I am old...: "I don't use spray stuff in my baking pans I am old fashioned, I use shortening or oil and flour. Rub the pan with shortening then sprinkle w..."

I don't use spray stuff in my baking pans I am old fashioned, I use shortening or oil and flour. Rub the pan with shortening then sprinkle with flour, shake and turn until the pan is covered, I don't use butter because butter burns easily.
For some reason the Zucchini bread always tastes better the next day. It is good plain and even better with some butter. You can toast it in your toaster too and put butter on it for breakfast. My sister like to treat it like a carrot cake and put cream cheese frosting on it. But I think that takes away the integrity of the bread. I don't care too much for sweets and as I said this is not TOO sweet.

Here is the recipe for Zucchini bread. Although it states grate zucchini, when the recipe was passed down it was said that the Zucchini should be put in a blender. Then food processors were invented and the food processor makes it so much easier. You can see in the picture what the Zucchini should look like once it is chopped in the food processor. It is very green, as the air hits it though if your slow at mixing it, it will turn brown. Nothing wrong with that either.

Zucchini Bread

I was going to make some Zucchini Bread tonight, but I didn't have enough sugar. So tomorrow you will get to see some Zucchini Bread. I told a friend of mine, whom lives in Michigan, that I was planning on making Zucchini Bread and selling it on his YIPEEE Social network sight and his reply was, " why don't you make something people will like". Well he obviously has never tried Zucchini Bread. For those fortunate enough to have tried it, you know it is delicious. If you have not tried it , you will be surprised.
The first time I ever tasted or even heard of Zucchini Bread, I was about 22 years old. My Mother had relatives that lived in upstate N.Y. near Cuba. We went for a visit and Zucchini Bread was a daily item in their house. They served it with dinner, had it toasted in the morning for breakfast. They didn't think it was anything special, they thought of it the way we think of regular white bread.
When I make it at home it does not last long, it is hard to have just one slice. It is very addicting. It is similar to carrot cake, but smoother in texture and not as sweet. Although some people put nuts or raisins in their Zucchini Bread, I do not. I like things simple.I have my cousins recipe and that is how I make it, never tried anything new.
Tomorrow we will make the Zucchini Bread, and Mr Michigan will be getting a loaf or two in his mailbox, all the way from Melboure Fl.

Can you cook?

Today's generation does not seem to be able to cook. There is so much fast food out there, they don't have to learn. They most likely grew up in a household of two working parents and the parents didn't get a chance to teach the kids.
But the money spent on fast food and eating out is a terrible waste. I know some people don't like to cook. I can understand that. The clean up is the worst part.
I am going to show you how to cook, and save money. I learned how to cook at a very young age, as far back as I can remember I was helping my Mother in the kitchen, and my Father too. You have heard the old saying. " I don't need a recipe, I'm Italian." well that is true, the more your cook and understand cooking you won't need a recipe and you won't need to follow the directions on the instant mashed potatoes either. sometimes following the directions is not the best way.
This is just the beginning more to come.........