A Delicious Meat Sauce Recipe and Cooking Class

I often hear younger people tell me they were never taught to cook.

This is such a bummer to me!

Cooking is such an important skill, both to feed yourself and to make connections with others. Most tell me that they find cooking overwhelming, expensive, and defeating when recipes don’t turn out the way they planned.

I want to change this.

That’s why I started my Tipsy Cooking Classes.

Since I wanted to be able to teach total novices, I knew I’d need some delicious but simple recipes to start with, and there are few recipes more simple or delicious than Boo Boo Barb’s Sauce.

This recipe is from my Aunt Barb, who we all call Boo Boo Barb, short for Busia Barb.

Boo Boo is not the most adventurous of cooks, but having four children and a husband and now four grandchildren she developed her own repertoire over the years and this is one of her signature dishes that is fast, affordable, and is something we all crave.

She graciously shared her recipe with me when I moved away & couldn’t just stop by for dinner. This recipe now has become part of my culinary repertoire.

The recipe for Boo Boo Barb’s Sauce is at the bottom of the article, after the pictures from the class.

If you’re looking for a meatless alternative, might I recommend my simple but delicious tomato pasta recipe?

Of course Boo Boo’s Sauce is just one of the recipes I taught in my class.

I designed my classes around my “Heirloom Recipes” (“go to” recipes passed down to me from family and friends) that I could teach to others so they could learn to love cooking and feel accomplished.

This past Saturday I invited three amazing women into my home to have the “Tipsy Cooking Class” experience.

In addition to Boo Boo Barb’s Sauce, I taught the ladies two other recipes that are a part of my Sunday Supper Repertoire: Grandma Pat’s Meatballs and Liquid Gold (AKA Vodka Sauce).

Liquid Gold Aka Vodka Sauce 

I thought these recipes were a good place to start because they’re simple, satisfying, and delicious.

For me, Sunday is the day we are supposed to rest, recharge, and regroup for the week ahead.

It’s also a good time to experiment in the kitchen.

There is nothing more soothing to my soul than a Sunday meal simmering on the stove, while I clean, relax, do laundry, and watch movies on Lifetime and Hallmark.

This is what makes my heart happy and everyone else’s bellies full.

I wanted to instill this energy into the class so everyone could go home with the tools to create their own perfect Sunday Supper.

Saturday’s class couldn’t have gone better!

The laughs were contagious, which told me everyone was having fun and the smiles on the ladies faces told me they loved the food.

My only goals were to send them home with either a new appreciation for my old heirloom recipes, a skill they didn’t know before, or a little bit more confidence in the kitchen and a whole lotta food.

I think it is safe to say all of those goals were met. It was a lovely day full of good people and good times.

And yes, some very good food. I can’t wait to do it again!

Tipsy in The Kitchen and my Lovely Students ~ Andrea from @traveleatswithandrea, Jo from @frm_joandcharlie & Christine from @thechicagogoodlife on Instagram

Food is truly a piece of our family history and my goal is to make it a part of family history for as many people as possible.

Until next time Tipsy Friends…..

*If you’re interested in a Tipsy Cooking Class, sign up for my blog and I will be announcing more information soon!

Jo from @frm_joandcharlie mincing Parsley

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Boo Boo Barb's Sauce

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A delicious sauce created by my Aunt, "Boo Boo Barb."

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 1 Twenty-Nine oz. Can of Hunt's Tomato Sauce
• 1 Twenty-Nine oz. Can of Hunt's Diced Tomatoes
• 1 Six oz. Can of Hunt's Tomato Paste
• 1 White Onion, diced
• 2 T. Minced Parsley
• 1/4 C. Brown Sugar
• 2 T. of Garlic Salt
• 2 T. of Onion Powder
• 2 T. of Dried Italian Herbs

Instructions

1. Brown ground beef with onions
2. Add in cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
3. Add in two cans of water.
4. Bring to a simmer, turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Add in garlic salt, onion powder, parsley and dried Italian herbs.
6. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Dilute tomato paste with 6 ounces of hot water, whisk until smooth.
8. Add paste to sauce.
9. Simmer for 5 to 10 more minutes.
10. Turn off heat and stir in brown sugar.