My new Idol...

Happy mid-week everyone! Aren't these flowers lovely? My friend Megan gave them to me for a housewarming gift, and they fit perfect in my yellow vase. I think my new favorite color is yellow. =) I have a new Idol- her name is Ina, as in Ina Garten. I'm minorly obsessed with her easy and quick recipes, her high-collared denim shirts, and her quaint gray home in the Hamptons. Man I sorta wish she'd cook for me. Tonight, I'm making this for dinner. And I cannot wait! altho Andrew and I probably will be the only ones to eat it.
So I've had the cooking bug lately...having some space to cook and create has been one of my longings...I've been soaring over recipes online and watching the Food Network here and there (in between laundry of course). Last night I made homemade meatballs and marinara:
Meatballs: (mush all together in a bowl and shape into cute 'lil balls)
1lbs ground beef
italian seasoning
egg
1-1 1/2 C. panko bread crumbs
salt & pepper
1/2 chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
Pan fry in canola oil about 6-7 minutes a side then transfer to foiled lined pan in oven set on "warm"
Marinara:
1 large can chopped or diced tomatoes
1/4 finely chopped onion and about 2 tablesoons garlic
2 bay leaves
salt & pepper
Simmer all ingredients for at least an hour to marinate flavors. I think I'm making this instead of jarred sauces from now on...I like no added preservatives and sugar. =)
In the end we added spaghetti noodles and even Cameron loved the meatballs. I won't share what Brandon said...

And I've had a few friends ask for this Teriyaki recipe, it is Andrew's great-aunt Corinne's recipe and the BEST! I use it for flank steak (marinate at least 8+ hrs, and chicken for about 2-3 hrs.) My mother in law told me you can save the marinade in the ziplock bag for a few weeks in the back of the fridge and reuse it on steak only, but once you've dipped chicken in it then after it needs to be thrown away.
1/2 C. oil
1C. soy sauce
3 lg garlic cloves
4 Tablespoons molasses
1 Tablespoon ground ginger
1 Tablespoon dry mustard
pinch of cracked pepper

let me know if you use any of these recipes! And if anyone has any fav's to share I'd just love it =)