Meatloaf

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-20 minutes (microwave) or 45-60 minutes (oven)

2 pounds ground beef or meatloaf mixture
2 eggs
1 cup chopped onions
3/4 to 1 cup water
1 to 1 1/2 cups Italian-flavored bread crumbs
1/4 cup cry parsley flakes (or 1/2 cup fresh)
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste

Mix all ingredients together.  Shape into a loaf, ring, or round in a microwave-safe dish and microwave until juices run clear and internal temperature is 160F:
Loaf - 15 to 20 minutes
Ring - 10 to 15 minutes
Round - 14 to 20 minutes

Or bake in oven at 350F for 45 to 60 minutes until juices run clear and internal temperature is 160F.

Tips: sometimes I make meatloaf in a muffin tin - it speeds up the cooking and everyone gets their own mini-meatloaf.  They are also easy to freeze and reheat a few at a time.

Substitutions:
Lawry's seasoned salt for salt
Omit salt and spices and use an envelope of onion soup mix - if you like a lot of onions, add the fresh chopped onion.

Chocolate Muffins

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Another recipe from my wonderful mother-in-law...

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c cocoa powder
3/4 to 1 c sugar
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 c milk
1/2 c oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 to 3/4 c chocolate chips
1/2 c finely chopped nuts, optional

Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then mix together just until blended.  Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 to 3/4 full and bake at 400F for 15 to 20 minutes.

Lemony Chicken Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 8 to 10

1 pound acini de pepe pasta, uncooked
2 cubes Knorr(R) chicken bouillon (or 4 regular cubes)
2 c cooked chicken, chopped*
1 c red onion, chopped
1 c green bell pepper, chopped
1 c red bell pepper, chopped
1 c mayonnaise
1/4 c fresh lemon juice

Cook acini di pepe in water with bouillon according to package directions.  Drain and rinse with cold water when done cooking.

Add pasta and remaining ingredients to large bowl and mix well.

Note: It can get a little dry when refrigerated.  Instead of adding extra mayonnaise, I prefer to mix in a little bit of milk until it's the desired consistency.

*I use the leftovers from a rotisserie chicken.

Corn Chowder

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 8

Jonathon made this chowder for dinner yesterday.   It was delicious!  He used this recipe and changed it to this:

2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/3 c. dried onion flakes
1 Tbsp. dried minced garlic
1 tsp. dried crushed thyme
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
6 c. water
3 cubes Knorr chicken bouillon (or 6 regular-size cubes)
2 cups heavy cream (or 2 c. evaporated milk)
1/4 c. dried diced potatoes
2 c. freeze-dried corn
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes

Heat butter and olive oil in soup pot over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic, and thyme and cook for about 2 minutes.  Dust the vegetables with flour and stir to coat everything well.  Add water, chicken bouillon, and potatoes; bring to a boil over high heat.  Add heavy cream and boil for 7 minutes; add corn, salt, pepper, and parsley; simmer until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.  Ladle soup into bowls and serve.

Optional toppings:
2 c. cooked, chopped chicken
1/4 c. cooked, crumbled bacon
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese

We ate this with homemade bread and cooked green peas.  Yum!

Grandma's Hot Cereal

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Serves: 1-2

My mother-in-law has made hot cereal this way for many, many years.  It reminds me of rice pudding because it is so rich and creamy.  She made oatmeal like this when we went to Puerto Rico to visit.  When she came to visit us a month ago, the kids requested it, so she showed Jonathon how to make it using cornmeal and they wrote down the recipe.

1 cup milk (or 1 cup water plus 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp dry milk)
1 cup water
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup cornmeal or 1/3 cup cream of wheat or 1 cup oatmeal
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine milk, water, butter, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium-high heat.  While stirring constantly, slowly sprinkle in cereal.  Continue stirring constantly until mixture starts to get thick and bubbly.  Lower heat, stirring occasionally, until cooked to desired doneness.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

I love cornmeal made this way.

Notes:
I tried it without butter and I didn't like it as well.

10/5/2011 - For my family, I quadrupled the recipe and next time will try to speed up the recipe and cut the cholesterol by adding more cornmeal and less butter (one to two servings are in parentheses):
8 c water (2 c)
2/3 c dry milk (2 Tbsp + 2 tsp)
2 Tbsp butter (1/2 Tbsp)
1/4 c sugar (1 Tbsp)
1/2 tsp salt (1/8 tsp)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (1/8 tsp)
2 c cornmeal (1/2 c)
2 tsp vanilla (1/2 tsp)

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6-8

Pasta:
1 pound elbow pasta (or shells)
1 tsp salt
Cheese Sauce:
4 1/2 cups water
2 1/4 cups Magic Mix (click here for recipe)
3/4 tsp salt
4 cups (1 lb) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding 1 tsp salt to boiling water. Drain.
In pot used to cook pasta, add water, Magic Mix, and salt, stirring constantly over medium heat until mixture thickens and starts to bubble.  Add cheese and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir in pasta; serve immediately.

For baked macaroni, use 5 cups water and bake in 9"x13" pan at 375°F for about 30 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.  Optional: crumble potato chips on top before baking.

Alfredo Sauce

Prep. Time: 10 minutes
Makes enough for 1 lb. pasta

1 stick (1/2 c.) butter
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat.  Add cream and pepper; stir frequently.  When hot, add cheese, stirring constantly until thickened.  Toss with 1 pound pasta* and serve immediately.

*I like fettuccine or penne.  Or try spinach fettuccine.

Variations:
Reduced-Fat:  Use 1-12 oz can evaporated milk plus 1/4 c. whole milk in place of heavy cream.

Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce:  Thoroughly drain a medium-size jar of roasted red peppers and puree with 1/2 cup cream or milk for 15 to 30 seconds in blender.  Add to saucepan with remaining cream or milk.

Chicken and Vegetable Rice

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4

I tried this for lunch today and the kids really liked it. It was so easy, too!

2 Tbsp butter

1 cup white rice

5 cups water

1 1/2 cups mixed freeze-dried or dehydrated vegetables*

3 chicken bouillon cubes (1 1/2 Knorr)

1/2 cup freeze-dried chicken, optional**

1/4 tsp pepper

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add rice and stir until coated. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir; cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

*Substitute 1 1/2 cups frozen or canned vegetables and reduce water by 2 1/4 cups.

**Substitute 1 can chicken or 1/2 cup cooked chicken or if FD chicken is omitted, reduce water by 3/4 cup.

Holiday Pancake Mix

Prep Time: 10 to 30 minutes

Makes: About 11 cups mix

8 cups white or whole wheat flour (I use ground soft white wheat)

3/4 cup shortening powder

3/4 cup dehydrated fat-free milk (if using instant, double the amount)

3/4 cup white or brown sugar

2/3 cup dehydrated whole eggs or dehydrated scrambled egg mix

1/3 cup baking powder

2 1/2 tsp salt

1. Mix the ingredients well and place in storable container (I use the back of a spoon to get rid of the lumps from the eggs or you can try sifting them). We recommend an empty #10 can (with lid) or a 120 oz. Snapware. (I use an 11-cup square Modular Mates from Tupperware.) Label and use within six months.

2. To prepare, add equal amounts of water to dry ingredients or to your preference (I make it a little thinner than I want since it thickens after standing a few minutes).

For a little variety, add to the batter: fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried blueberries or raspberries, sliced fresh or freeze-dried bananas, chopped apples and a dash of cinnamon, etc...

For topping ideas: try this or this.

I have been looking for a pancake/waffle mix that is comparable to the Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix. Or even a pancake recipe that is just as light and fluffy. Usually you have to separate the eggs and beat the egg whites until stiff. Too much work for me when I can buy Krusteaz. However, I have wanted the benefits of whole wheat in Krusteaz and so haven't been buying it. I found this recipe on the Emergency Essentials website and love it. It is just as light and fluffy as Krusteaz, but I can grind my own wheat and it's way cheaper! I made a few modifications or clarifications to the directions, but for the original, click here.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Makes 2 cups frosting

2 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
Cocoa powder (1/4 cup for light flavor, 1/2 cup for medium flavor, 3/4 cup for dark flavor)
6 Tbsp butter or margarine, softened
4 to 5 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla

In small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar with amount of cocoa for flavor you prefer. Cream butter and 1/2 cup cocoa mixture in small mixer bowl. Add remaining cocoa mixture, milk and vanilla; beat to spreading consistency. For a glossier texture, add 1 Tbsp light corn syrup to the mixture.

This is my go-to chocolate frosting recipe. I got it out of a Hershey's Cookbook. It is really fast and easy and delicious, too!

Spanish Corned Beef

This is one of my kids all-time favorites. Everyone in the house likes it and is excited when I say I'm making it for dinner. Best of all, it's so easy and fast to make!

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Makes: 4 to 6 servings

1 can corned beef

1/4 cup sofrito

15 Spanish olives, with juice

1 pkg. Sazon Goya(R) con achiote

3 potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 cup water, or more depending on how liquidy you want it

1 1/2 cups rice, uncooked

Cook rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, add remaining ingredients to a medium saucepot and simmer until potatoes are soft. Serve over hot rice.

Substitutions:
Add 1 cup extra water and 1/2 cup dried diced potatoes
Use 1 can drained garbanzo beans instead of potatoes
Replace corned beef and potatoes with 1-2 cans of corned beef hash

Pasta e Fagioli

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups water
1 Knorr chicken bouillon cube (use beef bouillon if using ground beef)
1 lb. cooked ground beef, optional
2 cans (20 oz each) cannellini beans, drained
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 cup uncooked ditalini pasta
Parmesan cheese

Sauté onion over medium-high heat, until tender-crisp. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add water and bouillon and bring to a boil over high heat. Add remaining ingredients (except cheese) and simmer until pasta is cooked. Add more water, if necessary. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Variations:

Substitute 1 pound Italian sausage for the ground beef. Remove casing from sausage and brown over medium-high heat: remove from pan. Follow instructions and omit bouillon.

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4

12 to 16 asparagus spears
1 lb. bacon

Rinse asparagus and trim bottom 1/3 of spears. One easy way to do this is to hold the top and bottom of the spear and bend it until it breaks. It will break at the top of the woody part of the asparagus.

Wrap each spear in bacon and broil or grill until bacon is crisp and asparagus is tender, turning once.

Substitute: Deli ham for the bacon

Garlicky Brussels Sprouts

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 to 4

I normally don't buy brussels sprouts, but Jonathon kept asking for them. So I bought them and this is how I made them. After tasting them, I think I'm going to buy them more often!

1 box fresh or 10-oz. box frozen brussels sprouts
2 Tbsp. butter
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 Tbsp. cooked and crumbled bacon, optional

Steam or microwave brussels sprouts until tender-crisp. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium frying pan over low heat; add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add drained brussels sprouts and remaining ingredients. Remove from heat and toss lightly. Serve immediately.

Substitutions: Use broccoli, spinach, zucchini, green beans, peas, or any kind of vegetable (or combination) that strikes your fancy!

Fruity Pancake Topping

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Makes: About 2 cups (enough for 8 pancakes)

3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 to 4 Tbsp sugar (to taste)

1 to 2 Tbsp cornstarch, optional
Whipped cream

Put blueberries, sugar, and cornstarch in a microwave-safe bowl; mix well. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbling; stirring after each minute. Serve hot over warm pancakes or waffles. Top with whipped cream.

Variation: Substitute strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or mixed berries for the blueberries.

My sister made something like this when Christian was at her house and now he requests it every time I make pancakes. I've tried to take a picture, but by the time I remember, it's almost all gone!

Ultimate Balsamic Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6 to 8


Warning: This salad is highly addictive!

1 lb box rotelle or rotini pasta, uncooked
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup fresh basil, sliced (stack leaves, roll up, and slice diagonally)

Add at least 5 of these:
1 can olives, drained
1 pkg grape tomatoes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1" pieces
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 cups cooked chicken
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 jar artichoke hearts, drained
1 jar marinated sliced mushrooms, drained
1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
8 oz. mozzarella, cubed
1/2 cup real bacon bits or cooked, crumbled bacon
2 to 3 green onions, sliced diagonally (white and green parts)

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in colander until cold. Drain well.

Meanwhile, prepare all other ingredients and add to a large bowl. Add drained pasta and gently toss.

Variation: Substitute leaf lettuce for the pasta to make a delicious tossed salad.

I used all of the ingredients, except the green onions, and it was delicious. The cranberries add a nice texture and flavor, so don't be tempted to leave them out if you have them. When I make this again, I will use either the beans or the chicken (most likely the beans because they look nicer and taste great in here!)

Easy Shredded Beef

Prep Time for Meat: 4 to 8 hours
Prep Time for Meals: 20 to 30 minutes
Serves: About 4 per pound of meat

Put London Broil (the amount is up to you) into a crock pot on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. When it pulls apart easily with a fork, shred it with two forks, removing any fat.

Now make a recipe using shredded beef or freeze it in two- or four-cup portions in quart-size freezer bags. Flatten the meat out and remove as much air as possible. Label and freeze up to six months.


Tacos or Tostadas
Put 2 cups shredded beef in a skillet and add taco seasoning and water (according to package directions) to make 1-pound of taco meat.
Meanwhile, fry corn tortillas in a little oil for a couple of minutes on each side over medium-high heat. For tostadas, fry until tortilla is crisp. Top with chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced black olives, sour cream, and salsa.

Burritos or Chimichangas
Thaw beef if frozen and add salt and pepper to taste to 2 cups shredded beef. Heat over medium until warm. Optional: add a can of green chilies, 1 to 2 cups cooked rice, a can of pinto beans and/or refried beans. Put 1/4 to 1/2 cup beef in the middle of a burrito-size flour tortilla. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Fold up bottom, then both sides, and roll over (To make rolling tortillas easier, warm slightly in microwave).
For burritos, make all the burritos and put in a baking dish. Top with more cheddar cheese and salsa and cook at 375 degrees until cheese is melted.
For chimichangas, heat about an inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry on both sides until golden. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Beef Flautas
Thaw 2 cups of beef and make as for tacos. Mix in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional). Spread 2 tablespoons meat mixture in a line across corn tortillas and roll up (if needed, dip tortillas in warm oil to make rolling easier). Fry in 1/2 inch hot oil (over medium-high heat) until light golden brown. Remove to paper towel lined plate. Serve hot with salsa and sour cream.

BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Add 1/2 to 1 cup barbecue sauce to 2 cups shredded beef and heat in microwave or on the stove. Serve on kaiser rolls or hamburger buns when heated through.

Yummy, Healthy Waffles

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 12, 4-inch waffles


1 1/2 cups Krusteaz Pancake and Waffle Mix
1/2 cup soft white whole wheat flour*
1 1/2 cups cold water
2 Tbsp oil

Blend ingredients together; batter will be slightly lumpy (do not overmix). Cook waffles according to waffle iron instructions. Serve immediately.

Topping Ideas:
Sliced bananas and nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts - roasted or not, chopped or whole)
Sliced strawberries and whipped cream
Whole raspberries or blackberries
Cinnamon applesauce
Apple butter
Ice cream
Berry Compote
Jam or preserves
Fresh peaches

Peanut butter and honey

The possibilities are endless!

*Regular whole wheat flour is fine, too, but the soft white isn't as "crunchy". If you don't have whole wheat flour, just use more pancake mix. The wheat flour is just to make it healthier.

German Pancakes

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4

We've been making this in my family since I was young. I have seen a few different versions, but this is how I make it:

1/4 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour*
4 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 375F. Put butter in 13x9 pan and put in oven. Meanwhile, mix the rest of the ingredients in a blender. When butter is melted, add batter to pan and immediately return to oven. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, until edges are puffy and golden. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Serve topped with:
Pancake syrup
Powdered sugar
Fresh berries

*I like to use 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup soft white whole wheat flour to make it a bit more "healthy".


The way we used to make it is:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
6 eggs

Follow the above instructions.

Go ahead and experiment!

Confetti Bella Chicken

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

3 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb chicken tenderloins
1 large green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 large red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 large onion, cut into wedges
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
8 oz baby bella mushrooms, quartered

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; add the chicken and saute for 5 to 10 minutes or until cooked through; remove from pan. Add peppers, onion, and garlic to pan; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the peppers are tender, mixing well. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and cook until mushrooms and chicken are heated through and tender.

Serve on a roll for a really yummy sandwich or with buttered pasta and a tossed salad

I got this recipe from "Mr. Food's Italian Kitchen" by Art Ginsburg (Confetti Portobello Mushrooms, 28) and adapted it.