Author Archives: Mecca Trueblood

Might Be the Best Burger Ever!

My goodness! We’d read about a Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives) place in Arlington, TX called The Original Chop House Burgers. So we drove over to Arlington, found Chop House Burgers in this little strip center and life may never be the same!

We went late on a Saturday thinking we’d be in between the lunch and dinner crowd….we still had 20 people in front of us at 2:30. But it was definitely worth the wait!

I hope you find yourself in the Arlington area some day soon. It was worth the trip. Chef Kenny! OMG! We’ll be back! Soon!

Cheesy Ravioli & Italian Sausage Skillet

(from The Comfort of Cooking)
1 T olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
1 (14.5oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 T tomato paste
1 1/2 t Italian seasoning (I make my own)
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
salt & pepper to taste
1 (16oz) package cheese ravioli (I substituted cheese tortillini because I couldn’t find ravioli)
1 1/4 c water
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese (I used shaved because I like the slivers better & they are so pretty on the plated dish)
5-6 fresh basil leaves, chopped, optional (I have a beautiful basil plant on the patio)
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, 3-5 minutes, crumbling the sausage as it cooks.
Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt & pepper to taste. Stir in ravioli and water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until ravioli is tender, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat. Sprinkle with mozzarella & Parmesan. Place under broiler and cook until melted and golden brown, 2-4 minutes.
Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
This was easy, fast and delicious and made a pretty presentation. Serve with a simple Caesar salad and garlic bread. This should easily feed a family of 4.

“There is an enduring tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart! It is neither to be chilled by selfishness, nor daunted by danger, nor weakened by worthlessness, nor stifled by ingratitude. She will sacrifice every comfort to his convenience; she will surrender every pleasure to his enjoyment; she will glory in his fame, and exult in his prosperity – and if misfortune overtake him he will be the dearer to her from misfortune; and if disgrace settle upon his name she will still love and cherish him in spite of his disgrace; and if all the world beside cast him off she will be all the world to him.”

Washington Irving