Meat loaf

Be careful who you invite to the table to enjoy this mouthwatering dish. My dinner guests each wanted the end slice. Someone, who shall remain nameless, sliced down the sides of the loaf! I think he likes to torment me.

:-D

For me, cooler weather and oven baked meals go hand in hand.  I followed the recipe I found exactly...except with these changes!  I can't help myself from tweaking recipes I haven't even followed once. But that's the kind of girl I am. This was delicious, by the way.

It could be made into for smaller loaves or even meatballs, which would make it easier to put away for a second meal. You might have to adjust the baking time. The flavor and texture were just right. Since I used my food processor to make the bread crumbs, I continued to use the food processor to mix all the ingredients. That probably accounted for the smooth texture. 

Enjoy!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of 9x13 pan

Mix together 

2 lbs ground beef

2 beaten eggs

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup dried bread crumbs (I used my food processor to crumb leftover buns I had in the freezer)

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp. savory (the original recipe called for sage)

Shape into large loaf.

Bake 50-60 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. 

Top with a mixture of:

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tbls. Brown sugar

1 tsp. powdered mustard

Return to oven and bake for 10 more minutes.

RICE PUDDING

Do you find it challenging to cook in smaller quantities?  It seems I often make too much when I’m cooking for two. That can be a good thing if you like left overs. Fortunately, My Shadow and I are easy to please. Sometimes, I cook enough intentionally so we can have two meals. That freezer comes in handy.  But it can be challenging to put those accidental left overs to creative use. 

When I made rice for our dinner, I made extra rice with the thought in mind to make rice pudding.  

Yummy!

Even though I hate to see summer weather depart, the cooler weather puts me in the mood for things like that.  It’s warm, creamy, cinnamon, raisin-filled goodness! Plus, I can choose to eat it for dessert or breakfast.  My mom taught me that!

Here’s the recipe I use to make just enough for two or three servings...for me, myself and I! 

Delicious Microwave Rice Pudding

Use a 4 cup microwave safe bowl.

Mix together:

1 beaten egg

1 cup milk

Heat for 2 minutes.

Using a wire whip, mix in:

1/8 cup corn starch

1/3 cup sugar

Dash of salt

1 tablespoon butter

Cook at 8 power level for 3-4 minutes

Stir in:

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2/3 to 1 cup cooked rice

1/3 cup raisins

Cook 1 minute more at 8 power level. 

Let me know what you think of this tasty treat!

Popcorn

I love a crunchy treat like popcorn. I eat popcorn three or four times a week. It really satisfies my snack craving! My hot air popper really gets a work out! Usually I eat it plain, but sometimes I need a sweet treat. That's when I make something like this.

First, pop up about four quarts of hot air popped popcorn.  Set aside. In a pan on the stove melt 1 stick of butter, I cup of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup Karo white syrup. Bring to a boil and stir until soft ball stage or 235 degrees. Then remove from heat and mix in 1/4 teaspoon soda and then 1 teaspoon cinnamon flavor and some red food color and then 1/8 teaspoon cream of tatar.  Pour this mixture over the popcorn and stir thoroughly. Transfer the coated popcorn onto a cookie sheet (or two) and bake at 200 degrees for an hour stirring occasionally. 

Eat when it's cool enough to handle or however long you can resist! This makes quite a bit but it stores well if you keep it tightly sealed.  It also makes a nice gift if you have some decorative tins.  

I've played with this recipe often enough that I don't use exact measurements any more.  I also just boil and cook ithe syrup until it looks about right. But if I were making it for you, I'd follow the step-by-step directions to insure it came out right!  And if you ask very nicely, I could be persuaded to make some for you!

Enjoy your snacking!