Mini Meatloafs

Oh my, these were so delicious. I usually don't like meatloaf, but these were really tasty! :)

Makes 6-9 (serves about 4)

Ingredients:

1/3 c. shredded carrot (about 2 carrots)

1/2 c chopped onion

1 teaspoon oregano

2 cloves minced garlic (1 teaspoon)

1/2 c. ketchup (divided)

1 lb. ground beef

1/3 sleeve of crushed crackers (around 1/2 c.)

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 egg, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Heat about 1 Tablespoon of oil in a skillet, saute carrot, onion, oregano, and garlic about 2-3 minutes.

2. In large bowl, combine sauted mixture with 1/4 c. ketchup (reserve other 1/4 c. for topping), beef, and rest of ingredients.

3. Spray muffin pans with oil. Form meatballs to fit into muffin tins. Put remaining ketchup on top of the mini meat loaves. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Sausage Roll

Yum! This is a great appetizer or fun meal to make. I have no idea where my mom got the recipe, but it's simple and delicious!

Sausage Roll

1 loaf of bread dough- I use bread machine box mix, Krusteaz brand, Italian Herb or Sourdough

1 lb of ground pork sausage

2 cups shredded mozzarella or italian cheeses

Marinara sauce (for dipping)

1.Prepare bread dough, if using a bread machine mix, I follow the traditional bread instructions instead of putting it in a bread machine.

2.When dough is close to done rising, go ahead and brown the ground pork sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat until cooked, drain grease.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out prepared bread dough into a large oval

4. Sprinkle 1 c. of the shredded cheese onto the rolled out bread dough

5. Spread out the browned ground pork on top of the cheese, and sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese on top of the pork. Layer: cheese, pork, cheese.

6. Begin to roll the dough (like cinnamon rolls or a jelly roll), tucking/folding in the ends so the filling is all enclosed

7. Bake @ 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let cool 5-10 minutes before cutting/slicing (I recommend cutting with a bread knife if you have one). Serve with marinara sauce to dip. If making a meal out of it, serve with salad.

Cookie Cake

This cookie cake is so easy and good. My good friend, Mandi, passed this recipe to me and it's worth trying if you're in the mood for something sweet. Unlike cake mix cookies I've tried in the past, it does not taste powdery or weird like the cake mix cookies usually taste.

Cookie Cake

1 box yellow cake mix

1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips

1 egg

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup water

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Mix everything together in a bowl until blended.

3) Press mix into a 9x13 baking pan and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden.

4) Let cool about 10 minutes and cut into bars or just cut what you want to eat :)

Zucchini Garden Chowder

This is such a perfect meal for cold weather! And it's another recipe passed on from Leah. She always makes these amazing soups/chowders that are just amazing! This one is so hearty and delicious. BTW you can make this with just veggies, or add chicken pieces (which I did).

Zucchini Garden Chowder

2 TBS butter or margarine

2 medium zucchini (chopped)

1 medium onion (chopped)

2 TBS fresh parsley (chopped)

1 TBS fresh basil (chopped), or 1 tsp dried

1/3 cup flour

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

3 cups water

3 chicken bouillon cubes

1 tsp lemon juice

2 cups tomatoes (chopped)

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk (12 oz can)

2 cups corn (or 1 can, drained)

1-2 pounds chicken (cooked & chopped), optional

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

1) Melt butter in soup pot over medium heat

2) Add zucchini, onion, parsley, & basil. Saute until tender.

3) Stir in seasonings and flour

4) Gradually stir in water to make a smooth stock

5) Add bouillon & lemon juice. Mix well.

6) Bring to boil, reduce heat, & cook stirring often for 2 minutes.

7) Add tomatoes, milk, corn, & chicken (optional). Return to boil.

8) Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes, until corn is tender.

9) Just before serving, add cheeses & stir until melted. Add a pinch of sugar to taste (optional) & garnish with chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Tortellini and Sausage Soup & Focaccia Bread

I love my Betty Crocker Cookbook. Growing up, my sisters and I loved making favorite recipes from my mom's Betty Crocker Cookbook. My mom's was very worn, beat up, and I think even made it through a fire. It was very well loved to say the least :) So when we each got married, my mom gave each of us our own new Betty Crocker Cookbook. It's such a must have in my kitchen. It is so informative and helpful with the pictures, great recipes, and great instructions! I know it's helped me become a better cook.

So what do you know, this meal is straight from Betty Crocker. :) Leah has an additional older edition Betty Crocker Cookbook that has the Tortellini & Sausage Soup, so I had to ask her for the recipe when she made it over Christmas - it's so good!

Tortellini & Sausage Soup:

(Betty Crocker)

1 lb bulk Italian Sausage

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 c.)

3 c. water

1 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried Basil

1 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano

2 medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)

1 medium zucchini or yellow squash, sliced

2 cans (10.75 oz) condensed tomato soup

8 oz. uncooked dried or 2 cups frozen tortellini

grated parmesan cheese (to top)

1.Cook and stir sausage, onion, and chopped carrots in 4 quart pot until sausage is browned, drain.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients, but cheese.

3. Heat to boiling; reduce heat

4. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until vegetables and tortellini are tender.

5. Serve with cheese and Focaccia bread (recipe below)

Focaccia Bread

(Betty Crocker)

Makes 2 Breads

2 1/2-3 cups flour

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh or 1 Tablespoon dried rosemary leaves, crumbled

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 package regular or quick active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

1 cup very warm water (120-130 degrees)

2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese

1. In large bowl, mix 1 cup of flour, the rosemary, sugar, salt and yeast. Add 3 tablespoons oil and the warm water. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough remaining flour until dough is soft and leaves sides of bowl.

2. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead 5-8 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with shortening. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 30 minutes, or until doubled in size. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

3. Grease 2 cookie sheets or 12-inch pizza pans with small amount of oil or spray with cooking spray.

4. Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a flattened 10-inch round on cookie sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or towel and let rise in warm place 30 minutes, or until dough doubles in size

5. Heat oven to 400 degrees. gently make 1/2-inch deep depressions about 2 inches apart in dough with fingers. Carefully brush with 2 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool.

Sunday Hoagie Sandwich

I've been pretty sick with the flu all weekend, and therefore have been eating stuff out of my freezer and easy meals. Today was another "take it easy" day, but thought I'd post because we grew up on these broiled/toasted sandwiches and called them "Hoagies". As a kids, we would usually have different lunch meats & swiss cheese melted on top. For the version I made today here's what you need:

bolillo wheat rolls or any type of roll you prefer

lunch meat - use as little or as much as you want (I used 3 slices of turkey per sandwich)

spinach

cheddar cheese slices (or any cheese you like :)

sliced tomato

Set oven to Broil & place rack on top or 2nd to top shelf. Split rolls in half and layer ingredients on top of rolls.

Slide them into the oven for about 3-5 minutes (watch them to make sure they don't burn!) until cheese is melted and edges are toasty! I think broiling or toasting a sandwich makes it so much more yummy. :)

You can serve this with chips or fruit, whatever is in your pantry ;) Hope you all don't get what I've had, and hope your Sunday is filled with joy.