Hoppin' John....

1 tablespoon olive oil
4-5 slices bacon, cut in 1/4's
1/2 pkg. smoked sausage; sliced thin (optional)
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 pound black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed
1 quart chicken stock
Bay leaf
1 teaspoon dry thyme leaves
Salt, black pepper, and cayenne
3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
3 cups steamed white rice

Directions

Heat oil in a large soup pot,If using sausage, heat all sides in oil. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic, cook for 4 minutes. Add the black-eyed peas,bacon, stock, bay leaves, thyme, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the peas are creamy and tender, stir occasionally. If the liquid evaporates, add more water or stock. Adjust seasonings, and garnish with green onions. Serve over rice.

Julie's Spicy Spaghetti Sauce....

1 pound spicy sausage

1 pound ground beef

3 onions, chopped

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 14.5 ounce cans crushed tomatoes

1 small can tomato sauce

1 12 ounce can tomato paste

2 tablespoons dried basil

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Cook sausage& beef, onions, mushrooms and garlic over medium heat for 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to slow cooker. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover; cook on low 8 to 9 hours. Serve over your favorite pasta and enjoy!

*This is SO good on a cold winter's day :) We had this just last week when the temperature reached 12 degrees! what a yummy way to warm up! :)

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole (without the work) ;)

1 1/2 lbs ground beef or pork (or use the meat in my homemade Spaghetti Sauce)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 dash garlic powder

1 dash oregano

32 ounces spaghetti sauce(or 1 recipe homemade sauce)

1/4 cup rice

1 dash basil

1 head cabbage

1 lb mozerella cheese, shredded

Directions:

1Shred, boil 3 minutes and drain cabbage.

2Brown onion and meat and Drain.

3Place cabbage in casserole dish.

4Place meat mixture on cabbage.

5Add garlic powder, oregano and basil on meat.

6Add spag.sauce and rice.

7Layer like you do lasagne.

8Top with cheese.

9Cover and bake 1 hour at 350F degrees