Becoming Betty: 3 Ingredient Crockpot Italian Beef

So this wasn't what I originally going to make, but had all the ingredients for it, so went to plan B. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/73957618859558957/

This was really easy to make.  I didn't have the peppers (don't really care for pepper), but used onions instead.  I didn't have sub rolls, so used hot dog rolls.  

Looks like regular pot roast

It tasted really good, but didn't taste like anything special. Dan has a really good idea for next time - put provolone cheese on it and melt it a little.

Becoming Betty: Christmas Eve dinner with a twist

So for every Christmas Eve, we have Alia Oilia (garlic and oil sauce). Usually every week Dan and I have pasta with Francesca Rinaldi sauce.   That is the only sauce I will use because it's close to Aunt Helen's sauce.  So anyway, I was going to do our regular pasta dish last night when I realized we didn't have any Francesa.  Then I was thinking, I'll just use italian dressing ( my speciality pasta dish), but then I though - what about Alia Oilia?  DONE!

Now, this is my FIRST time making Aunt Helen's sauce AND I didn't follow the recipe (I didn't let it simmer for 3 hoursplus we didn't have paprika).  So this was a big thing for me!  Dan is usually the one in charge of the sauce on Christmas Eve.

My twist - using ziti and adding Italian blend shredded cheese.  Dan liked it, so that's all that matters - and of course I liked it.  Definitely not the same as Christmas Eve, which is what I wanted.  

I think Aunt Helen would be proud. Of course, I was always her favorite, so no doubt. I probably would have asked to chance it first though.😉

Becoming Betty: twice baked potatoes

I know! How have I never made these before?  How about no leftover baked potatoes?

Dan made a couple of extra earlier in the week and I'm at the point where I just don't want to cook/eat the same old, same old.  So I looked up recipes for twice baked potatoes and came to this recipe:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/73957618859543603/

Since the recipe calls for 4 potatoes, I cooked them first, then warmed up the leftovers.

Yea - the first potatoes carving didn't go as planned.  That ok, still plenty of shells to go!

Second one didn't go smoothly either!

Time for the backup plan - twice baked potato casserole!  Found this recipe and kind of went back and forth between the two.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/73957618859543880/

See you later skins!

Then I realize - no bacon bits! I've NEVER cooked bacon before!

Made it through that crisis then realized we didn't have enough sour cream!  It's supposed to be 1 cup.

Sous Chef was right there by my side though!

No matter what, he'll eat it!

Still not sure about this - 

I hope this ends up well....

AND.....

SUCCESS!

Hubby liked it, I liked it, and Z liked it!