Create-Your-Own Meat Loaf

Our main dish last night is a recipe from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that my in-laws got us as a wedding gift. This has been a tried and true recipe for almost 16 years now. Yum!

Create-Your-Own Meat Loaf

Ingredients:

1 beaten egg
3/4 cuup soft bread crumbs (1 slice) or 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk, beer, apple juice, or water
1/4 cup finely chopped celery or green pepper, or shredded carrot; or one 2 oz can mushrooms, drained & chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons snipped parsley (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried sage, thyme, basil, or oregano, crushed; or dried dillweed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 lb ground beef or ground lamb
2 tablespoons bottled barbecue sauce, chili sauce, or catsup

Directions:

Preheat to 350F. In a mixing bowl combine egg; bread crumbs;  milk; onion; celery and parsley, if desired; herb; salt; and pepper. Add ground meat and mix well. In a shallow baking dish pat mixture into a 7 x 3 x 2 inch loaf. Or, shape into a circle with a 6-inch diameter. Foram a 2 inch-diameter hole in the center of the circle.

Bake in a 350F oven for 45-50 minutes for the loaf (25 to 30 minutes for the ring)  or till no pink remains. Transfer to a serving plate. Spoon barbecue sauce over meat. Makes 4 servings.

Italian-Mashed Potatoes

I had a recipe for Ranch-Mashed Potatoes that I fully intended to make this week until I realized that the packet I thought was ranch was actually Good Seasons Italian. So, this recipe was made! It was unbelievably creamy with that hint of Italian spice. This is one of those recipes that would probably be awesome on a cold winter's night...I know that makes me hot right now in the middle of the summer, but just a thought come this December :)

Italian-Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

4 cups instant, unsalted mashed potatoes, prepared
1 packet Good Seasons Italian style dressing mix
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Heat on low until potatoes are thoroughly heated.

Peanut Butter Cookies II

While in the our Schellsburg vacation house, we did a lot of our own cooking and baking as a family instead of hitting restaurants for every meal of the day. We saved money and had lots of family time in the kitchen! This was a different peanut butter cookie recipe than I am used to making.

Peanut Butter Cookies II

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons water
1/2 cup oil

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together. Preheat oven to 350F. Roll into balls and mash with a fork. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.

*Tip: I used a spring cake mix instead of yellow, just for some festivity. Had speckles of color in it!

Barbecue Pennsylvania Dutch-Style

This has been my absolute fave sloppy joes recipe for about 15 years. I found it in my FBI cookbook oh so long ago. Try it!!

Barbecue Pennsylvania Dutch Style

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 Tablespoon mustard
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1/4 cup onions, chopped

Directions:

Brown ground beef and drain grease. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Allow ingredients to cook for approximately 15 minutes.

Use this recipe for each pound of ground beef you need for any cookout or party. This is good on hot dogs or just by itself on a bun.

*Tip: Add sweet relish after you put it on the bun...yum!!!