Nikkis Sloppy Does Recipes

This is the time of year when we get all kinds of vension in our fridges & freezers! I'm always looking for new vension recipes, and here's one that I've perfected! =]

Nikki's Sloppy Does

1 lb ground venison

1 med. onion, sliced

1 bottle hickory-smoke flavored BBQ sauce

1 tsp. worchestershire sauce

1/2 c. finely diced green pepper

Burger Buns

Sliced onion

Pickles

Brown (DO NOT OVERCOOK!) venison with onion. Add BBQ sauce, Worch. sauce and green pepper and heat until boiling. Spoon onto buns & serve with cold beer!  (LOW-FAT meal in less than 15 minutes!)

Nikkis Grilled Venison BackStraps

Ingredients


2 pounds venison backstrap (tenderloin), cut into 2 inch chunks
1 quart apple cider
1 1/2 pounds thick sliced bacon
2 (12 ounce) bottles barbecue sauce, your choice
 
Directions


Place chunks of venison into a shallow baking dish, and pour enough apple cider in to cover them. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Remove, and pat dry. Discard apple cider, and return venison to the dish. Pour barbeque sauce over the chunks, cover, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 more hours.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Charcoal is best, but if you must, use gas. Remove meat from the refrigerator, and let stand for 30 minutes, or until no longer chilled. Wrap each chunk of venison in a slice of bacon, and secure with toothpicks.

Brush the grill grate with olive oil when hot, and place venison pieces on the grill so they are not touching. The bacon will kick up some flames, so be ready. Grill, turning occasionally, until the bacon becomes slightly burnt, 15 to 20 minutes. The slower, the better. Enjoy! I like mine with a little horseradish.

Nikkis Skinny Ranch Recipe

The ranch addict like me will appreciate this recipe! I'm very picky about my ranch - If it's not Hidden Valley, forget it. But this is amazingly good!!

Nikkis Skinny Ranch
1 c. fat-free sour cream
1/4 c. buttermilk (non-fat)
1/4 fat-free mayo (not Miracle Whip!)
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder (not salt)
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp of each; Minced scallions, Chopped parsley, salt & pepper.

Whisk together in a bowl. I funnel mine into a kitchen squirt bottle (like a ketchup-style) and it's easy to use. Enjoy!!

Nikkis Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Sooo very simple, and soo gooey and cheesy.. nom..nom..nom...

1 box frozen chopped spinach
1 (15oz) container Ricotta cheese
1 lb. ground beef
1 box jumbo shells
Parmesan cheese
2 cups Mozzarella cheese
Minced garlic / onion (add what you like)
Parsley
Salt/Pepper to taste

Homemade tomato sauce*
*Sauce:
Combine 1 lg. can diced tomatoes, cooked ground beef, 2 T. Italian seasoning, combine and simmer on stove while making pasta. (this is where I add my secret ingredient, not listed in this recipe.)

In large skillet, brown meat. Cook jumbo shells and rinse thoroughly until cool to touch. Combine ricotta, spinach, garlic, Parmesan and 1 c. mozzarella and mix thoroughly. Stuff shells. While boiling/stuffing pasta, make your sauce. Simmer burger & tomatoes. Cover bottom of pan with meat sauce arranging shells in single layer. Top with sauce, and Parmesan & remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake in 350 degrees oven until heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve w/ garlic bread.
 
Tip: I use a disposable pan. Easy clean-up!



Baby News!

..And the news is?? We're not having one. Or two. Not now. Or ever. Since getting married, the ONE question on everyones minds seems to be "When are you having kids?"  (good grief!)
When I was born, I was a very sick little baby. I had a 'knot' in my intestine, and had many serious surgeries at 3 weeks to to help me survive. As a result of complications with one of the surgeries, I can't have babies.(still get monthly gift tho, how pointless is that ?? LOL!)  Jake knew this a long time ago, so it wasn't a surprise to him at the last minute or anything, don't worry.
YES, we know we can try adopting, or a surrogate. YES, we know we have options if we do decided to try & become parents. And YES, I am sick of answering questions about it. We are going to be happily married sans kids, just accept it. YES, people can do that! It's totally legal, and our choice. We have plenty of friends with little ones for those days that we want to punish ourselves (JK, guys!) Kids are great, and growing up the oldest of 3 kids, I don't feel like I 'missed out' on being maternal. I always have been.
We have our 2 dogs, Tao & Yukina AKA Fidget, and those are our kids. So, yes, we will we getting more dogs! (I have a list of dogs I want, WITH names, lol!)

..Just wanted to blog this, in hopes that's a few more times that I don't have to explain why no babies. Thanks for taking the time to read.
Have a great day, my lovelies! =]

Mmm, raspberry white zinfandal!

Who knows how to play Bunco?