Spicy Mama Mia Meatball Burgers

Mama Mia Meatball Burgers 

with Sweet Heat Roasted Pepper Marinara and Garlic Bread Buns

My entry in The 2015 Saucy Mama Blogger Recipe Contest, is this crunchy, Meatball-styled, Grilled burger, topped with a spicy, Roasted Pepper and Sun-dried Tomato Marinara, and served on a toasted garlic bread bun.
Inspired by a request of my husbands, to make a meatball sub into a gourmet burger, I've had the idea for this burger in the back of my mind for almost a year. I knew right away, when I tasted the Saucy Mama Sweet Heat Marinade that I had the exact ingredient to finally make this burger a reality.
The Saucy Mama Sweet Heat Marinade has a tangy zip that brings this Marinara Sauce to life, and is the perfect topping for a crunchy, meatball-styled Burger.

Garlic Bread Buns

8 small Kaiser rolls, split
6 T Butter, melted
8 T Saucy Mama Parmesan Garlic Marinade
1 T minced garlic
2 T ground Italian seasoning
2 Cups Shredded Cheese Blend

Whisk butter into Saucy Mama Sauce slowly, until blended, mix in garlic and Italian seasoning. Chill in fridge for 10 minutes, to allow easier spreading. Spread onto split buns and bake for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove tops from pan, and sprinkle cheese blend onto bottom buns. Bake for 2 more minutes.



* For Shredded Cheese Blend I used Provolone, Parmesan, and Fontina* 

Sweet Heat Roasted Pepper Marinara

1 T Olive Oil
1 T Butter
1/4 Cup Sun-dried Tomatoes, diced
1/4 Cup Red Onion, finely diced.
1 T Minced Garlic
1 T Ground Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 Cup Roasted or Fresh, Red Peppers, diced
4 oz Tomato Paste
1 Cup Beef Stock
1/2 Cup Saucy Mama Sweet Heat Marinade

In Saucepan, Saute sun-dried tomatoes and red onions in butter and oil for 5 minutes on medium high heat.
Add garlic and Italian seasoning, continue to simmer another minute until garlic begins to turn golden-brown. 
Add Roasted Peppers and Paste. Mix well, then allow to brown in pan, cooking another 3 to 5 minutes. 
De glaze pan with beef stock, and stir until bits stuck on pan loosen.
Reduce heat to simmer, add Saucy Mama Sweet Heat Marinade, Continue to cook on low heat until sauce is reduced. 

The Meatball Burger Patty

2 lbs Ground beef blend of your choice

4 Tablespoons Saucy Mama Cracked Pepper Marinade

2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning

2 Tablespoons Burger Seasoning of your choice

1 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs

Form 8 burger patties. Brush each patty with Saucy Mama Cracked Pepper Marinade. Mix Italian Seasoning with Burger seasoning, and sprinkle generously over each patty. Sprinkle each with Panko, and gently press in. Flip each patty over, and repeat process of brushing with sauce, sprinkling with seasons and Panko, and pressing.
roll each burger, like a wheel, in leftover bread crumbs.
Refrigerate until ready to grill.
Grill to temperature preference.

Note - Because these are burgers and NOT meatballs, we don't cook them all the way through, but chose to serve them cooked medium rare to medium. My intention was to have all of the flavors of a meatball, while keeping the patty a burger. This is why I do not mix the seasonings and breadcrumbs into the patty, and chose to coat them instead. The result is a juicy burger patty with a crunchy texture, and the flavors of a meatball. 

Toppings

 Brush sliced Red Onion and Red Peppers with Saucy Mama Sweet Heat Marinade, sprinkle Italian Seasoning, and bake for 15 minutes at 425. Flip half way through cooking.

Use roasted vegetables in Marinara, and to top burgers.

To purchase Saucy Mama Sweet Heat Marinade, Saucy Mama Parmesan Garlic Marinade, or Saucy Mama Cracked Pepper Marinade, or any of their gourmet sauces,marinades, or mustard, Visit Barhyte Specialty Foods.

The 2015 Saucy Mama Blogger Recipe Contest is a World Food Championship Preferred Qualifying Event. The winner will receive a Golden Ticket to compete at the 2015 WFC, this November in Kissimmee, Florida, $500 Cash Prize and $1,000 Travel Stipend for travel to the WFC. 

The World Food Championships is THE cooking event at the end of every year. Over 400 Chefs, Professional Competitors, and Home Cooks will gather in front of thousands of fans to face off in a 9-category showdown to find the best. At the end of the week-long competition, one lucky competitor will hold the title of World Food Champion and a check for $100,000!

My WFC Profile

Like my Facebook Page - A Jersey Girl in Texas

Follow me on Twitter

Candied Bacon & Pineapple ON A STICK!

Yesssss, ON A STICK!

Just a fun little snack for movie night, Candied Bacon and pineapple on a stick, served with a cool lime dip. Yumm!

Candied Bacon & Pineapple on a Stick, With Cool Lime Dip

10 Slices Thick-Cut Bacon

10 wooden skewers

1 Can (14 oz) Sliced Pineapples

1/4 Cup Saucy Mama Cracked Pepper Marinade

1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1 1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar

Assemble bacon and pineapple on skewers. Mix Saucy Mama Cracked Pepper Marinade with cayenne pepper, and orange juice.

 Baste skewers with mixture.















Sprinkle brown sugar onto skewers on all sides, pressing in to coat.

 On wire rack, over foil-covered pan, bake skewers for 1 hour, turning every 10 to 15 minutes or so, until bacon is cooked through.

They will get crunchy after they're removed from oven.

Cool Lime Dip

8 oz Cream Cheese, softened

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 T lime juice

1 (6oz) container lime yogurt.

cream cheese in mixer until smooth, add sugar slowly, add lime juice and yogurt, whip until smooth. chill.

~*~To get your Saucy Mama Cracked Pepper Marinade, or other Sauces, Marinades, or Mustards, visit Barhyte Specialty Foods ~*~

 Don't forget to Comment to #Win a #SaucyMama Prize Pack, by visiting my Facebook Page, 

A Jersey Girl in Texas. Find the Post titled "Are You Saucy". and comment to enter.

Strawberry Caprese Salad

Strawberry Caprese Salad

1 cup Diced Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup Sliced Strawberries
2 cups Grape Tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup Finely Diced Red Onion
8 - 10  Basil leaves, chopped
1/3 cup Saucy Mama White Balsamic & Honey Dressing
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
Pinch of Salt



Zesty, Fresh, and just in time for your Memorial Day Picnic! This classic, summer-fresh salad gets a makeover using Saucy Mama's All-Natural, White Balsamic & Honey Dressing and adding sliced fresh strawberries.

Get your Saucy Mama Dressings, Marinades, and Gourmet Mustard at Barhyte Specialty Foods

Follow me on Facebook -- Find my post titled, Are You Saucy, and comment for your chance to win a Saucy Mama Prize Pack!

Saucy Mama Blogger Contest -- Prize Give-Away

Time to Get Saucy, With #SaucyMama

As part of my participation in the 2015 Saucy Mama Bloggers Recipe Contest, I am delighted to announce that I am able to run a give-away contest for my readers. This contest will be a random drawing from a list of  entries. Continue reading to learn how you can enter. 

Want to win some fantastic sauces by Saucy Mama?

Enter to #WIN  a Saucy Mama 

Prize Pack including three Saucy Mama Sauces, like Honey Barbecue, Jamaican Jerk and Orange Habanero

 Visit my Facebook page:

A Jersey Girl in Texas and find the post:

 ARE YOU SAUCY?

Then follow the directions below to be entered into the drawing. One winner will be chosen on Monday, May 25, 2015

 ARE YOU SAUCY?

HOW TO WIN:

1. LIKE A Jersey Girl in Texas on Facebook.
2. LIKE Saucy Mama on Facebook.
3. TELL us how you're SAUCY in the comments of this Facebook post - ARE YOU SAUCY?
(Keep it CLEAN or be Deleted!)
One random winner will be selected on May 25, 2015. If you are the winner I will announce your name in a new posting, and also send you a private message on Facebook. You will need to provide your name, shipping address, and phone number. You will have 24 hours to respond or your prize will be forfeited.
Contest open to U.S. Residents Only

~*~This is a contest on Facebook, you must enter ON  my Facebook page~*~

 And dont forget to visit the contest sponsor, Barhyte Specialty Foods for #SaucyMama products, and great recipes!

Visit Barhyte Specialty Foods

Contest open to U.S. Residents Only

Disclosure: This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or associated with Facebook. This contest is sponsored by Saucy Mama and A Jersey Girl in Texas. By entering this Giveaway you understand that it is in no way affiliated with Facebook and release them from any liability.

A Mother's Day Recipe for Kids

 Since I am a mother I have the day off, but that doesn't mean we aren't going to eat today. I put the fate of eating in the hands of my family, but I feel confidant that we're safe, since I armed them with the power of cooking lessons since they were little girls

My Girls, 2011

.

I have 3 daughters, twins that are 22 and one that is 20. They all live at home, and are in various stages of young-adulthood, entering the workforce, beginning careers, and educating themselves. They all know how to cook, but they each have a different collection of recipes they've mastered, depending on their interest in certain dishes, and also their availability on the day of the lesson.

~*~  As is the mother, so is her daughter. Ezekiel 16:4 ~*~

Photo Courtesy of Christianbooks.com

I remember a nursery story from when i was a young girl. The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, By DuBose  Heyward.
It's about a mother bunny that had many children. she worked from dawn till dusk taking care of them, until she was exhausted. One day, she decided to empower them to take care of themselves.
She taught 2 bunnies to cook and 2 to sew. 2 more learned how to garden, another 2 to clean, and yet another 2 to do the shopping.
 Then she admired the values she instilled in her children as she sat in her rocking chair, watching her babies take care of themselves, and also, her. 

Photo Courtesy of Christianbooks.com

I've kept this little bit of golden knowledge in the recesses of my mind since childhood. Always knowing that a mothers job is to love and protect her bunnies, to comfort and guide them, but the most important gift is to teach them to be productive and independent adults.

~*~ God could not be everywhere, therefore, he made mothers. Rudyard Kipling ~*~

Nana cooking with Maddie

So, each of my girls knows how to cook. While they were growing up I often had them watch me cook, or help me cook, patiently explaining the little tips and tricks, that will help them when they're grown. Things like placing a wooden spoon over a boiling pot of pasta to break the bubbles and keep the pot from boiling over, or learning to let the meat brown in the pan, without touching or moving it.  Or simply teaching them that rinsing a dish immediately makes cleaning it later easier.

Me & Jessie.. cooking?

As they were available, or interested, I cooked with them. Sometimes with all three, but often times, one-on-one. We also like to cook as a family, and always make sure to cook with my mom when she visits.
Each daughter has their own favorite dishes, and I focused cooking lessons on their wish to eat the dish. Because of this method each one has mastered a different set of dishes.

~*~ If at first you don't succeed, do it the way your mother told you to. ~*~

-- Author Unknown

Here is a recipe that all three of my girls learned early on. A simple way to make a perfect omelette in the microwave. So, moms, go back to bed! Let the kids (and Dad) have your kitchen for a day. Relax!
 Let them empower themselves by knowledge. And don't worry about them using the stove!

Microwaved omelette, By Jersey Girl's Girls!

A Simple Microwave Omlette

Ingredients

butter

Eggs scrambled with a splash of

Milk or cream

shredded cheeses

fresh diced vegetables

pre-cooked, diced meats

Directions

1.Butter a Glass Pie Plate

2. Pour Scrambled Eggs into Plate

3. Microwave for 1 minute.
    Push Edges into Middle with Rubber Spatula.
    Microwave for another minute

4. Add fillings, such as cheese, diced tomatoes,
 pre-cooked Sausage, ham or bacon. Microwave for
another Minute.










5. Fold in half, and Microwave until Eggs are Cooked Through.









6. Serve!

I'm sure you're wondering if these eggs stand up to a fried Omelette, perhaps made by a chef at a restaurant where they make fancy brunch. Let me ease your wondering mind --they do not.

 They aren't as light, or as fluffy as a professionally made omelette, but, they're quick, they're simple, they're safe to cook by children, and they left your behind in the bed so, just be happy, Mom, and enjoy your day!

Photo Courtesy - www.bunspace.com

Time to Get Saucy!

Time to Get Saucy with Saucy Mama!

I'm excited to announce that I have been chosen to participate in the Saucy Mama's 2015 Recipe Contest for Bloggers! Like last year, the contest includes the chance for me to give away a prize pack to one of my blog fans. Please check back for my recipe entry, and your chance to win!

The Saucy Mama's 2015 Recipe Contest is a qualifying event for the The World Food Championships. The Grand Champion will receive a Golden Ticket to compete at the 2015 World Food Championships in Kissimmee, Florida, along with travel and spending money.

What is Saucy Mama?

Saucy Mama is a Barhyte Specialty Food, and is a line of delicious gourmet sauces, mustards, dressings, marinades, and olives. See their website for their full product line.

Saucy Mama

What is The WFC?

The World Food Championships is the ultimate culinary competition that brings over 400 chefs, professional competitors, and home cooks together to compete for 10 category champions, and one World Food Champion!

For information on the WFC, and other qualifying events, see their website:
World Food Championships 

And don't forget to "Like" me on Facebook, for updates on my recipe, and entry to the contest, and for details of my Saucy Mama Prize Pack give away @  A Jersey Girl in Texas

Trippin' with Grandma - part 5 - Downtown Houston, Museum District

 Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (photographer: Jack Opatrany)

When we first visited Texas in June 2005 our only agenda was to spend 5 days house hunting. We intended to move over the summer school break so that our children would have an easy transition into a new school. We landed in G Bush pretty late at night, and because of the heightened excitement, I barely noticed anything on that first drive north to Magnolia, except the smack of humidity we received upon exiting the airport. I didn't notice the city. I never saw Houston. I was too excited at the idea that we would be embarking on the greatest adventure of our lives --
 Moving 1650 miles away from everything we knew, to begin a new life in Texas!

The following few days were a blur of house hunting. Our Realtor, Phyllis, patiently marched us through 35 houses that were pre-selected by me, We made an offer on one, and by day 4 we were in contract, so when we headed back to the airport for our trip home to New Jersey, we were of a very different frame of mind then when we arrived.

 I was now able to look, and also to see the landscape and the scenery around me. It was then that I realized the enormity of the adventure before us. We would be moving here. A place we've never been, and this, "Houston"  would be our new, closest city. A new place to explore and learn. Every single place here is a new place to us! The potential for Adventure was huge!

Finding ways to be intrigued with the world, with purpose and intention,  is great way to stay young, and, a lifestyle choice of my mothers. Living Life with Purpose! 

I read once that as a person gets older they may not laugh as much. Why? Because they aren't surprised by a certain joke, or idea. They've heard that already. its not new, surprising, or exciting anymore. Life becomes boring. Its important to continue to be youthful by stimulating your inner child. Be an explorer! An adventurer! Play! Have fun! Be child-like.

I believe this philosophy is what keeps my mother so active in her senior years. She's traveling all over the world with her friends, and enjoying retired life. She stimulates her mind with new and exciting adventures, and stays healthy by being active.

So, with my mothers upcoming visit in mind, these suggestions were given from my neighbors in the Magnolia Texas area, for fun things to do in Houston's Museum District, during my mothers visit.

The list of suggested attractions doesn't even come close to being everything there is to do in Houston. Of course, I am not qualified to even try to be a Houston tour guide, so as in previous posts this writer simply suggests you consider these ideas as a starting point for your own adventure. Like me, do your research to make your plan. Use the links provided to explore your options, then set out to embrace your life by intentionally choosing to be an adventurer, not a spectator.

Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (photographer: Julie Soefer)

Downtown Houston-The Museum District

Houston tourism links

Houston Groupons 

Visit Houston 

Trip Advisor - Houston 

City Of Houston Tourism -

official page for the city of Houston
Museum District FREE Admission Dates
Houston City Pass

Find Parking

The Museum District

HMNS Cockrell Butterfly Center
Photo Courtesy of  Greater Houston Convention
and Visitors Bureau 

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

5555 Hermann Park Dr.

Houston,Texas 77030

(713) 639-4629

Adults $20.00

Children & Seniors $15.00

Thursdays Free from 2 to 5



Permanent exhibits include The Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology, which includes a 3 story glass-enclosed rain forest complete with a 50 foot waterfall, The Burke Baker Planetarium, named one of the 6 best planetariums in the US,  and a highly recommended 

Egypt exhibit- The Hall of Ancient Egypt.

The Hall of Ancient Egypt, opened in May of 2013, is a 10,000 square foot exhibit hall that has a"permanently changing" display of exhibit items shared with several other museums. This means that you can go more than once and see different things. Also, per their website, the exhibit is set up in a way that the visitor experiences different glimpses of daily life both in ancient, and modern times. 
The Hall of Ancient Egypt is a permanent exhibit and entry is included with general admission, but the Butterfly Center and Planetarium require addition ticket purchase.

My girls, HMNS Terra Cotta Warriors Exhibit

In 2009,  we attended the visiting, Terra Cotta Warriors Exhibit. It was incredible! 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

1001 Bissonnet
 Houston, Texas 77005

 713.639.7300
Adults $15
Seniors $10
Children $7.50
Thursdays FREE courtesy of Shell.
300,000 square feet of exhibit space, The MFAH art collections and exhibitions are presented primarily in the Museum’s two main gallery buildings: the Audrey Jones Beck Building and the Caroline Wiess Law Building. Connected by the underground Wilson Tunnel.

Cullen Sculpture Garden
Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston
Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cullen Sculpture Garden
Montrose Boulevard at Bissonnet Street
Houston, Texas 77006
Opened in April of 1986, the sculpture gardens are 2 city blocks containing 25 original sculptures, and are adjacent to the main gallery buildings.

The Children's Museum of Houston
Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston
Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Children's Museum of Houston
Adults and Children $10
Seniors $9
1500 Binz
Houston, Texas
713-522-1138
Child-centered, hands-on learning.
Link and info provided for those with small children to enjoy.

Holocaust Museum Houston
located 3 blocks East, and 2 blocks North of the Fine Arts Museum.
5401 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust
"Education is unique in its ability to transform ignorance into respect for those who are different…"
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.
General Admission $12
Seniors and active-duty Military $8
Students free with Student ID
This Museum is not recommended for children under 10.

Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and visitors Bureau
Houston Contemporary Arts Museum

Contemporary Arts Museum
5216 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX  77006
Tel 713 284 8250
FREE ADMISSION - ALWAYS
Tue 10AM - 7PM
Wed 10AM - 7PM
Thu 10AM – 9PM
Fri 10AM – 7PM
Sat 10AM – 6PM
Sun 12PM – 6PM
Closed Monday

Houston Museum of African American Culture
Photo Courtesy of Houston Greater Convention & Visitors Bureau

Houston Museum of African American Culture
4807 Caroline Street
Houston, Texas
713-526-1015
Adults: $5
Children (12 and under): $3
Seniors (60 and older): $3

"HMAAC seeks to invite and engage visitors of every race and background, and to inspire children of all ages through discovery-driven learning"








Asia Society-Texas

Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston
Visitors and Convention Bureau

1370 Southmore Blvd.
Houston, TX 77004
713.496.9901
11 am to 6 pm daily
Sat & Sun 10 am to 6 pm daily
Closed Mondays
Admission is Free for the Museum
Sarofim Gallery $5 for non-members
"Enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach."


The Health Museum
1515 HERMANN DRIVE
HOUSTON, TX 77004
(713) 521-1515
Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays September - May
Adults $9
Children and Seniors $7

Art Car Museum
140 Heights Blvd.
11am-6pm, Wednesday-Sunday
Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays
713-861-5526
Wednesday - Sunday, 11am - 6pm

CLOSED: Monday & Tuesday 

Admission is FREE

Photo Courtesy of Houston
Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Beer Can House
222 Malone Street
between Memorial Drive and Washington Avenue
Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 only
$5 per person
Over 50,000 cans adorn this monument to recycling!

Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston
Convention and Visitors Bureau

Houston Aquarium & Restaurant

410 Bagby St @ Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77002

713-223-FISH (3474)

Monday – Thursday: 10am – 9pm

Friday & Saturday: 10am – 10:30pm

Sunday: 10am – 9pm

See Website for ticket pricing

Menu

Nature and Out Doors

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
155 acre nature sanctuary
Located in Memorial Park
4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024
Hiking Trails 

Bayou Bend Gardens, Houston
Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau

Bayou Bend
6003 Memorial Drive at Westcott Street
Houston, Texas 77007
This is the Museum of Fine Arts collection of American display art, containing furnishings and household goods in the home of former Houston Civic Leader, Ima Hogg. (yes, that IS a name, don't laugh, Texans do NOT think its funny) The home is nestled within a 14 acre park-like setting containing styled gardens that are quite beautiful.

Mercer Arboretum
Photo Courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Mercer Arboretum
Mercer Arboretum Facebook Page

22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
300 acres of native & cultivated plants along with butterflies, birds & special seasonal events.
Open Daily 8 am to 5 pm
Admission is FREE

~*~

 Our intention for Museum day is to visit on Thursday, when most of the museums have FREE admission. We hope to visit the aquarium for lunch, to split up the day. Mercer Arboretum and Bayou Bend are included on this page because they are nearby,, but will be a separate trips for us, on different days.

 I hope you enjoyed my invitation to explore Houston's Museums, and that you will visit me again, for More Day Trips by Jersey Girl. Also,find me on Facebook A Jersey Girl in Texas and follow me on Twitter@AJerseyGirlinTX