Meatloaf

One of my family's favorite meal is meatloaf. Yes, meatloaf. It is not a pretty dish. It is actually scary looking. Yes, it is the perfect recipe to post for October. This is the meatloaf recipe my Mom made us as a kid. It is simple. It is fast and my husband makes it often for us. My Mom told me that she had found the recipe in a woman's magazine when we were little. The recipe was for the microwave and it was not shaped as a loaf but as a ring. I still make it in a ring since I actually think it cooks better that way. We always eat it with ketchup, mashed potatoes, and carrots. We normally have this meal at least twice a month. Simple is sometimes better.

Meatloaf aka bones and flesh
1 lb. hamburger
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 slices of bread, torn
1 large egg
2 Tbsp Poultry seasoning

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the hamburger, onion, bread, egg, and poultry seasoning. 
3. Mix just until incorporated.
4. Place in a baking dish and form a ring. 
5. Cover and bake the meatloaf for 1 hour or until thoroughly cooked through.
6. Serve warm. 

Recipe provided by Jen's Mom.

Two years ago...........................I made Two Tone Halloween Cookies.
Three years ago.........................I made Chocolate Cookies.
Four years ago...........................I made Sloppy Joes.

Did you already know...........................
-Since 5th century A.D., the Romans have made meat with fillers.
-During the Depression, meatloaf was a popular way to stretch a meal containing meat.
-Meatloaf is versatile recipe which ingredients vary by region and diners.

Salisbury Steak

Did you eat TV dinners as a kid? On occasion, we did. One of my favorite TV dinners was the Salisbury steak meal. So, the other day I figured I would make Salisbury steak for the family. I could have made some TV dinners but I elected to make the meal from scratch. I figured it would be better for us. My daughter requested some creamed spinach which I thought was the perfect side dish. My husband loved the Salisbury Steak. He told me it was one of his favorite meals I have made. He didn't care for the creamed spinach even if the kids and I did. If you are feeling you would like a retro meal, then this is a great meal to make.

Salisbury Steak
1 lb. of ground beef
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 egg
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 Tbsp butter
1 large onion, sliced
8 oz. white mushrooms
2 Tbsp flour
2 cups chicken broth

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, and one egg. Mix until incorporated.
2. Divide the mixture into 4 equal sections. Shape into patties.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Melt the butter and cook the meat patties on each side for 4 minutes. 
5. Flip the patties and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Cover.
6. Add the onion into the skillet. 
7. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cook the onions for 20 minutes. 
8. Add the mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. 
9. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and mushrooms. Saute for 2 minutes.
10. Add 1 cup of the chicken broth. Stir well. Raise the heat to medium.
11. Add the meat patties into the skillet. 
12. Add one more cup of the chicken broth to the pan. 
13. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and allow the meat to cook for 15 minutes.
14. Serve the patties with spoonfuls of the onion, mushrooms, and gravy over the patties.  

Recipe adapted from Taste of Southern. 
 
One year ago.............................I made Pineapple Syrup.
Two years ago..........................I made Pie Filling.
Three years ago........................I made Pineapple Kolaches.

Did you already know.........................
-Salisbury steak is named after Dr. Salisbury. 
-During the Civil War, Dr. Salisbury tested his food theories on ailing soldiers.
-Dr. Salisbury recommended a diet of hamburgers three times a week.

Stuffed Burgers

Now I wanted to post an inside out burger. I wanted to show you photos of what a burger looks like with the cheese and bacon stuffed in the middle of the burger. Since my goal was not to scare you, I decided not to show you a photo of it. It isn't Halloween yet.

When I make inside out burgers, it is normally just cheese but my oldest daughter talked me into added bacon. When I am forming the patty, I add cheese or bacon to the center of the meat. Then I just cook the burger. When you take a bite, you have the wonder melted cheese in the middle. Also, I top the burger with cheese since I do not ever have the cheese overload syndrome. My husband does and that is why we can't order pizza with extra cheese.

Magic sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp pickles, diced finely
1/4 tsp garlic powder
pinch of salt

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
2. Adjust seasonings as necessary.

Recipe adapted from the Sandwich King.

Did you already know...
-In 1967, the Big Mac was sold at McDonald's in Uniontown, PA.
-The first Big Mac was sold for 45 cents.
-Not only did Jim Delligatti invent the Big Mac, he also help found the Ronald McDonald house charities.

Stove Top Chili Mac

We just arrived home from vacation. I really think I need a few days longer to rest. We traveled from Maine to Mississippi to Georgia to Virginia to New Jersey and finally home. My children ate catfish, rode horses, and went to an amusement park. The best part of our trip was visiting with friends and family. 

After this trip, I needed something quick for supper. (Sorry, no catfish recipes here.) I made extra to freeze for another time. I did think the original recipe had no chili powder in it and was called chili mac so I had to add some.

Stovetop Chili Mac
1 lb. rigatoni pasta
1 tsp. olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 lb. hamburger
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
Salt and pepper
1 cup corn kernels
1 small zucchini, shredded
1 can (28. oz) fire roasted tomatoes
4 oz. cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the onion and garlic. Saute for about 3 minutes.
4. Add the hamburger and increase the heat to medium high. Cook for 5 minutes while breaking up the meat.
5. Add the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until incorporated.
6. Add the corn and zucchini. Cook for about 3 minutes.
7. Add the can of tomatoes with juice to the pan. Stir well.
8. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Add additional seasonings if needed.
9. In a serving dish, add the pasta and top with the meat mixture.
10. Sprinkle the dish with cheese and serve.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart website.

 Did you already know...
-From Maine to Mississippi, it is roughly 1,700 miles.
-Six states make up New England. (Can you name them?)
-By traveling the most direct route to Mississipi from Maine, a driver while pass through 4 of the 6 New England States. (Do you know which two states a driver will not pass through unless they become lost?)

burrito

It is currently Spring Break for us so I have been away. We traveled down South where it was suppose to be warm. I think Mother Nature is playing games with me by allowing the weather to be warm for a day before turning cold. I think Mother Nature has a sense of humor since she must know I packed mostly shorts.

Maybe if I make something from the Tex-Mex region, the warm weather will return? I actually prefer burritos over tacos. Do you like tacos or burritos better? My husband would pick tacos.

Burrito
1 1/2 lb ground hamburger
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped finely
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped finely
1 Tbsp chili pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup water
8 flour tortilla 
1 16oz. refried beans (optional)
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
toppings: cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Brown the hamburger in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. 
3. Make sure to break up the meat well.
4. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeno pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the chili pepper, cumin, salt and pepper over the meat and distribute the spices throughout the meat.
6. Stir in the water and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Set aside.
7. Working with one tortilla at a time, spread a layer of the refried beans over the tortilla if desired.
8. Top with the hamburger mixture.
9. Sprinkle some cheddar over the hamburger mixture and roll into the burrito shape.
10. Lay the rolled burrito into a 9x13 baking dish with the seam side down.
11. Continue to assemble the burritos one at a time.
12. Bake the burritos for about 20 minutes. 
13. Before serving, top each burrito with the desired topping.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

Did you already know...
- A burrito is a tortilla folded over a type of filling.
-A Mexican burrito may have only one type of filling like meat.
-The American burrito tends to have a combination of fillings like rice, meat, beans, etc.
-There are even regional type of burritos like the San Francisco burrito.

Patty Melt

Sometimes on the weekend, my husband brings us out for breakfast. It is really nice. Our first date, we went to breakfast. Sometimes, we do not arrive to the restaurant until it is the borderline between the breakfast and lunch menu. Please remember we call our son Mr. Brevity for a reason.

One of the restaurants we visit have patty melts on their lunch menu. So when I asked my husband what I should make for supper, he said patty melts. I was surprised and I knew our teenager would be happy. I didn't know what constituted a patty melt. What I found out is that a patty melt is made on rye bread. It has taken me 10 years to convince my husband to eat whole wheat bread. My husband will eat whole white bread. I knew I could never get him to eat rye bread even 20 years from now.

The other thing about patty melts is the presence of caramelized onions. I hadn't realized the steps involved to make a patty melt. I actually thought it was just a hamburger on toasted bread. How wrong was I? I will admit I used a whole white bread with cheddar cheese. My husband asked for American cheese. I will say this meal was very dangerous and I will not make it often. It tasted too good. I served it with a spinach salad.

Patty Melt
8 slices of bread (rye is the preference)
4 oz. of butter, softened
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 lbs hamburger
4 slices of cheese (swiss is the traditional selection)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Butter one side of the bread.
3. Place the bread with the butter side up on a baking pan.
4. Bake the bread for about 8 minutes or until the bread is toasted to the desired darkness. 
5. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
6. In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
7. Add the onions and saute the onions until caramelized.
8. Form the hamburger into patties.
9. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the hamburgers for about 5 minutes per a side or until internal temperature reaches around 160 degrees.
10. Once the toast has cooked, flip the bread over and add the desired cheese on top.
11. Place the baking pan back into the oven and cook until the cheese has melted.
12. Remove from the oven and assemble.
13. Place the caramelized onions on top of the cheese.
14. Add the cooked hamburger patty and top with another piece of bread with the butter side up. 

Recipe adapted from Serious Eats and Friendly's.

Did you already know........
- In 1935, the first Friendly's restaurant opened in Massachusetts.
-Two young brothers opened the ice cream shop.
-For 5 cents, the Blake brothers sold double dipped ice cream cones.
-Friendly's restaurants filed for Chapter 11 in 2011.

Tennessee

Occasionally, I have to travel out of state for work. If I'm going to be gone for weeks, I will ask my family if they want to visit me. My Mom, husband, and sister have all taken me up on the offer. They are so nice to me since they will bring the kids. Two weeks is a long time to be gone without little ones.

One time, I was fortunate to visit Nashville, Tennessee. My Mom joined me at first and we toured Graceland with a friend. It was an interesting tour. Then my husband and kids later joined me. While we were there, we ate at the Neely's restaurant. Everything had barbeque sauce even the spaghetti. I happen to see this recipe on Foodnetwork and figured I would give it a try. 

We liked it. It is easier to make then my sloppy joes since I am trying to hide more vegetables in it. If you like barbeque and sloppy joes, you should try it. I always know if my husband likes it since he will eat the leftovers the next day. 

Spenser's Sloppy Joes
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
salt and pepper 
2 lbs. ground beef
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1 cup barbeque sauce ( I used Jack Daniels original)
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp hot sauce (I used Frank's RedHot sauce)
4 hamburger buns
Desired toppings: barbeque sauce, cheddar cheese, onions, etc.

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil.
2. Add the bell peppers and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add the ground beef and stir. Cook for 8 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked. 
5. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, barbeque sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and the hot sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Spoon the sloppy joes over one side of the bun and add any desired toppings.

Recipe adapted from the Neely's.

By the way, my son informed me I shouldn't take the photo with the pepper on the plate since it would make it look messy.  I know he is my food stylist but I told him it was sloppy joes and there is always some on the plate. Just so you are aware, my son wants you to know he did not approve of these photos. He is now 7 years old.

Did you already know.........
-In 1957, Elvis purchased Graceland for  around $100,000.
-Elvis had floor to ceiling carpeting in his Jungle room.
-Elvis purchased his plane Lisa Marie for around $250,000.

Mr. Brevity

Last year, I thought it would be a good idea to have a word of the week since my oldest would be taking the SAT. The youngest kids didn't mind. They thought it was pretty cool learning new words plus I tried to use fun words like flippant and impeccable. Now, my youngest children tell me how their oldest sister has a flippant attitude all the time. Their oldest sister just agrees with them. 

One of the words of the week was brevity. On school days, my son is so slow getting ready for school. He has missed the bus several times since he thinks the world will wait for him. On these mornings, I will say, "Come on, Mr. Brevity. We need to go." Well, the other day we were reviewing our words of the week. I asked my son if he knew what brevity meant. He said yes, it means quick like him because is why we call him Mr. Brevity. So, the next word of the week will be facetious.

If you have a great vocabulary word for the word of the week, let me know. The word I would use to describe this sandwich would be delicious!

Fried Meatball Sandwich with additional meatballs
5 eggs
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup dried parsley leaves,
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
3 lbs ground chuck
1 lb ground pork
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 buns
4 slices of Provolone cheese
1 jar of marinara sauce


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs.
3. Add the Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, ground chuck, ground pork, and the Panko breadcrumbs. Mix until well incorporated.
4. Form 4 patties and the remaining meat roll into desired size meatballs.
5. In a skillet on medium heat, add the olive oil.
6. In a pot, heat the marinara sauce on low heat. Stir occasionally.
7. Add the four patties and cook about 6 minutes a side.
8. In a baking dish, add the meatballs and cook in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the meatballs look medium rare done. (You will be reheating at another time.)
9. When the meatballs are done, allow to cool and transfer to a freezer bag to store in the freezer until ready to use.
10. Cook the patties until cooked through and then top with cheese.
11. Remove the patties and place on top of the opened bun.
12. Top the patty with the warmed marinara sauce.

Recipe adapted from The Sandwich King on Food network. Enjoy!

Did you already know.............
-In 1901, the SAT was developed to test intelligence.
-In 2005, an essay section was added to the SAT.
-The SAT is offered seven times a year.
-The average score is 1520 out of 2400.
-It is recommended to score at least a 2080 for Harvard.

Easy Burger

If I ask my oldest daughter what she wants for supper, she will say hamburgers. She loves them. This past summer she went out west for three weeks. Yes, everyday she ate a hamburger. She said that she missed mine the best. Isn't she the best?

I have had several people ask me how I make my burgers. I've been asked several times what I add to it. I don't add anything. No butter. No seasonings. Nothing most of the time. Sometimes, I add cheese, bacon, or both to the inside of the burger. 

The best part of the burger is how you top it. To celebrate the Halloween month, I topped mine with some scary looking cheese.  Don't you celebrate Halloween for the whole month too?

Scary Cheese.......I should have used Muenster!

I guess it is about technique. 

My hamburger


1 1/5 lb. 85% ground hamburger (yes, only one ingredient).


Directions:
1. Place hamburger on the counter for about 10 minutes. (Suggestions to do while you are
    waiting would be prepare a salad or a vegetable to go with your meal.)
2. Preheat your skillet on medium heat.
3. The package will make 4 burgers. I lightly press down on the meat so I know where to form.
4. Form your burger shape quickly. I do cheat here since I have a plastic burger former. This
    should take only 10 seconds.
5. I use my thumb and indent the center of the burger so it is a little thinner in the middle.
6. Place burgers in the hot skillet and do not touch.
7. At this time, I will prep my cheese for the burgers and complete other parts of the meal.
8. After about five minutes, I will look at the burgers. If juices have formed on the top of the burger, I will flip it. Now if I can not easily put my spatula under the burger, I will wait a few more minutes. I then continue making the rest of the meal. Now is the time to saute any toppings you desire but in a different skillet.
9. After about another five minutes, I will flip the burgers again. At this point, top the burgers with cheese if desired. Wait about 1 to 2 minutes and turn off the stove. The burgers are done.

Remember, you flip the burgers only three times while they are cooking. I hope you like them too! I must pronounce the word spatula with an accent since I first spelled it "spacula". I guess it rhymed with Dracula. Good thing my husband can spell.

Happy Halloween!

Did you already know.........
-Henry John Heinz created his famous Heinz tomato Ketchup over 125 years ago. 
-The Heinz ketchup is a strictly guarded recipe that has remained almost unchanged for over 100 years. 
-The H. J. Heinz Company sells 650 million bottles of its Ketchup annually.