Crock Pot Meatloaf

Who knew you could make meatloaf in the crockpot? Not me! But I made this the other day and it turned out heavenly! You should try it. And soon.

* 2 eggs
* 3/4 cup milk
* 2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
* 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
* 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
* 1/4 cup ketchup
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well (mixture will be moist.) Shape into a round loaf; place in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon over the meat loaf. Cook 15 minutes longer or until heated through. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting.

Cooking when counting calories

In December, I went for a checkup to a new doctor and we discussed some different things going on with my body. Along with some other recommendations, she told me I needed to add in more vegetables to our diet. Well, duh! Who doesn't? So after the first of the year, I decided to be more careful in what I cook. Mainly trying to count calories and stay within the 2,000 calorie recommendation as well as making healthier choices. So we've started small steps like: not buying soft drinks for home, switching to whole wheat bread, switching to skim milk, and cutting out the fatty snacks like chips and cookies. One of the websites that was very helpful in getting started was the USDA. It gives lots of recipes and meal planners to get you started.
My main complaint so far is that cooking is just not as fun anymore! Having a meat and two vegetables with a salad is only so interesting after awhile. I will say that I am even more prepared than I ever have been before. I've been spending one day getting everything ready for the week. Then during the week, I just have to grab things and go! I don't know how long it will last, but it has been fun giving it a try!

Pecan Cheesecake Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 (15-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
4 large eggs, divided
3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
1 cup light corn syrup

1. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions. Fold edges under, and crimp.

2. Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and salt at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture into piecrust; sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans.

3. Whisk together corn syrup and remaining 3 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla; pour mixture over pecans. Place pie on a baking sheet.

4. Bake at 350° on lowest oven rack 50 to 55 minutes or until pie is set. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour or until completely cool. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 2 days.
Makes 8 servings

Fruit Pizza

Sugar Cookie Crust:
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Cook for 10-12 min. @ 350 degrees

Topping:
1/2 of cream cheese (4 oz.), softened
1/6 cup powder sugar
1 small or 1/2 big container of cool whip

Mix the cream cheese and powder sugar until soft and smooth then add in the cool whip.
Place any kind of fruit on top and refrigerate and enjoy! I personally, like to add blueberries, sliced strawberries and sliced kiwi. But you can add anything you like. This is a good dessert!

Chicken and Wild Rice

4 chicken breasts
1 1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1 box Uncle Ben's Wild Rice
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 c. milk

Season chicken breasts with seasoning salt. Lay in a lightly greased 2 qt. casserole dish. Mix Wild Rice, seasoning packet (comes in the box), soup, and milk. Pour over chicken. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I like to take off the foil the last 5 or 10 minutes of baking to lightly brown the top. I found this recipe years ago on the back of the rice box. It's been a family favorite of our for a long time! It makes about 4-6 servings, depending upon the size of the breasts.

Grandma's Sweet Potato Casserole

3 c. mashed sweet potatoes (about 5 medium sweet potatoes)
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 stick of butter, softened
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix ingredients with a mixer. Spread into a 13 x 9 dish.

1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. pecans, chopped
1 stick of butter, melted

Mix flour, brown sugar and pecans. Sprinkle on top of potato mixture. Drizzle melted butter over pecan topping. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 350.

Note: Don't waste time peeling the sweet potatoes. Boil them whole and then let them cool. Split the skin open with a knife and it will slide right off! This is a family favorite for years!

Flat Bread Tacos with Ranch Sour Cream

1 c sour cream
2 tsp ranch salad dressing mix
1 tsp lemon juice
1-1/2 lbs ground beef
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans,rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 oz) diced tomatoes,undrained
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 Tbs hot pepper sauce
1 tube (16.3oz) large refrigerated biscuits
Optional Toppings: sliced ripe olives,shredded lettuce,cheddar cheese

In small bowl,combine sour cream,dressing mix and lemon juice;chill until tacos are ready to serve.
In large skillet cook beef over med. heat until no longer pink;drain. Add the beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning and hot pepper sauce; heat through.
Meanwhile, roll out each biscuit into a 6" circle. In a small non-stick skillet over med. heat, cook each biscuit for 30-60 seconds on each side or until golden brown; keep warm.
To serve, spread each flatbread with 2 Tbs ranch sour cream; top each with 2/3 c meat mixture. Sprinkle with toppings, if desired.

Made these tonight and they will definitely go in the rotation. Amazing!

Ladies Luncheon

Today we had our ladies luncheon at Edgewater Grille in Newburgh. The theme was 'happiness' and each table head was supposed to decorate their table in the theme of 'what makes them happy'. One thing that makes me happy is candles! I love candles. But I needed a little more to go on than just candles. So while my Mom was here, we went to Hobby Lobby to get some nice fall decorations. Some of the other table themes were: princess theme, smiley face theme, Starbucks coffee theme, and another fall theme. I'll let you guess which one is mine!
The reason I'm putting this on my Lunch Lady blog is since I have a centerpiece tab on the side bar. And also, the centerpieces can give you some ideas to go on if ever in need of a centerpiece idea!
We had a really great time. We had about 40 ladies come and it made for a really special day!

Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 cups (8 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
6 to 8 fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and minced fresh parsley


Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil on all sides. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan.
Add cream and broth; cook until sauce is slightly thickened and chicken is no longer pink. Stir in the Gorgonzola cheese, sage, salt and pepper; cook just until cheese is melted.
Drain pasta; toss with sauce. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and parsley. Yield: 8 servings.

I made this tonight for dinner. It was absolutely heavenly!!!

Buttery Soft Pretzels

4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup baking soda
4 cups hot water
1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.
When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.

Chicken Enchiladas

4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
30 oz. enchilada sauce
1 can diced green chilies
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
10 flour tortillas
2 c. Mexican shredded cheese

In crock-pot, combine chicken, enchilada sauce, chilies and beans. Cook on low heat for 8 hours. Remove chicken breasts; shred with two forks. Put 1/2 c. sauce mixture into each of two 9 inch square, greased, baking dishes. Stir in 1 cup of sauce into shredded chicken. Roll about 1/3 c. of chicken mixture into each of the tortillas. Put five enchiladas into each baking dish (they will be tight). Spread remaining sauce over enchiladas. Top both with cheese. Cover one and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 5 minutes more.
Cover second dish tightly and freeze for up to three months. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes prior to baking. Bake as directed for other casserole. Yield: 4 servings each casserole

I made this tonight and it was delicious!

Sante Fe Chili

1 lb. ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small can shoepeg corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
1 11 oz. can vegetable juice
1 envelope Ranch dressing mix
1 envelope taco seasoning mix

Brown ground beef and onion. Drain. Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook over low heat for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Serve with your favorite chili toppings. Delicious!

Creamy Chicken Rice Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 medium carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
1 cup cooked chicken, diced

Directions:
In a large saucepan, saute the onion, carrot, celery in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, rice, basil and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
In a small bowl, combine flour and milk until smooth; stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in chicken; heat through. Yield: 5 servings.

Next time I make this I am going to double the recipe. I served it with some homemade bread and a salad. Yummy!

A Cooking Block?

You know how on some things in life, you come to road blocks? Road blocks where it seems you've hit the end and you have to figure out how to restart and get going again?
For whatever reason, it seems I've hit a brick wall in my cooking. It seems everything I try turns out wrong! I don't know if I am preoccupied or not paying attention or picking bad recipes.....Who knows? It either turns out undercooked, overcooked, mushy, bad, etc.
I do know one thing, my poor husband and children are quickly losing their patience and I've got to turn it around and start popping out some good meals! Any ideas to help me get going again?

Our Menu at Home this week

Monday: Golden Burger Spirals, Salad, Bread
Tuesday: Refried Bean Soup, Mexican Drop Biscuits, Salad
Wednesday: Parmesan Chicken I, Green Beans
Thursday: Hamburgers with Ketchup Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Peas
Friday: Pizza Night!

Golden Burger Spirals
* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 medium green pepper, chopped
* 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed golden mushroom soup, undiluted
* 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
* 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 package (8 ounces) spiral pasta, cooked and drained

Directions:
In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the soup, tomato sauce, 1 cup cheese and salt. Stir in pasta. Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 4-6 servings.
This was an awesome recipe! Super easy and delicious!

Mexican Drop Biscuits
* 2 cups biscuit/baking mix
* 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded taco cheese
* 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained
* 1/2 cup water
* 3 tablespoons butter, melted
* 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the biscuit mix, cheese and chilies. Stir in water just until moistened. Drop into 12 mounds 2 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450° for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. In a small bowl, combine the butter, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, thyme and cayenne pepper; brush over biscuits. Serve warm. Yield: 1 dozen.