Quick Spaghetti Sauce

This is a Mel's Kitchen Cafe recipe

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef, turkey or pork or any combination (I omit this as I like to use frozen meatballs)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 Tbs tomato paste
1 tsp dried basil (I add a little fresh basil toward the end)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp coarse, kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
1 Tbs low-sodium soy sauce
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large 12" nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground meat, Drain any excess grease.  (if you are using meat in your sauce)

2. If not using meat, sauce Onion, garlic, salt and pepper in 1 Tbs. EVOO.

3. Stir in the tomato paste, and herbs. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture smells fragrant.

4. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar and soy sauce. Stir to combine.

5. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes (or as long as you like/need)

6. Serve over hot noodles, make meatball subs or save leftovers for a pizza sauce. I often times double the recipe so I have leftovers, it freezes really well also.

Broccoli Salad

this is Heidi's Version

Serves 4

4 cups of broccoli cut into bite size pieces
1/8 cup red onion diced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup bacon crumbled
1 1/2 Tbs cider vinegar
1 Tbs sugar or monk fruit sweetener
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. Whisk together vinegar, sugar/monk fruit sweetener, mayo, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside

2. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon. Pour the prepared dressing over and mix well

3. Refrigerate for an hour before serving.