Not Your Everyday Meat Loaf

Meat loaf is a comfort food for many and this would go really well with mashed potatoes and maybe a small side salad.

 

  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup Heinz ketchup
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated white onion
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef

Topping

  • 1/4 cup thick teriyaki sauce
  • grated Asiago cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine all the meat loaf ingredients and bake for 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the teriyaki sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the cheese and return to the oven for a further 20 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.

Be sure to let it rest for about 8-10 minutes before serving.

 

The Very Best Spaghetti Sauce

I say that as Don has been making this forever. You always want  more. Make it and you will see.

  • 4 tbsp. good olive oil
  • 2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 – 14 oz. cans of canned Italian tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato juice
  • 3/4 tbsp. fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp. each of: basil, thyme, oregano
  • pinch of rosemary (chopped)
  • 1 1/2 lbs. hamburger
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tin tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne
  • 1 cup grated Asiago cheese

Mix all together in a large saucepot and simmer for about 1 – 1  1/2 hours until thick.  On each individual serving, sprinkle the Asiago cheese.

All that is needed for a perfect meal is to add a chilled salad, slice of garlic toast and a glass of red wine.

Magnificent Meatloaf

I know it has been awhile since I brought on a new recipe, but life takes a sidestep every once in a while….I am sorry to be so late but here is a good one for you.

 

In a mixing bowl combine:

  • 1  3/4 – 2 lbs. lean hamburger
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • small handful of oatmeal (not instant)
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. seasoning salt
  • 1/8 tsp. celery salt
  • 1/2 grated medium onion
  • 1/8 cup ketchup
  • 1/8 cup H.P. sauce
  • 1/4 cup soya sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. Worchestershire sauce

Mix thoroughly and put in a casserole dish and bake in a preheated oven of 350 degrees for 60 minutes, or until done.

Serve with a green salad, mashed potatoes and a vegetable of your choosing.

Make a gravy if you wish. Great dinner during the week when everyone is so busy.  Enjoy.

Chili Con Carne – Don’s way

We have had a competition for years over who makes the best chili. I wouldn’t listen until yesterday. I take a bow to Don as this is darn yummy.

  • 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb. bacon, finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 19 oz. can undrained dark red kidney beans
  • 1 284 ml can of condensed tomato soup
  • 2 1/2 tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 tbsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp. worchestershire sauce
  • 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 packet beef boullion, dissolved in 1 cup water
  • Optional:
  • 1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, chopped in half
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • sour cream

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon wil just about crisp. Add the ground beef and cook until nicely browned.

Add the onion and (if using) green pepper and cook until the onion is transparent. Now the tomatoes, beans, soup, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and stir in.

Add the worchestershire sauce, red pepper and beef boullion mixture and stir in.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and cover, simmering for 1 hour or  until thick and bubbly. Add the mushrooms and simmer an additional 15 minutes.

Serve over rice with grated cheese on the top. Add a dollop of sour cream.

Burgers For Tasting Parties

These are absolutely wonderful to devour..oops..sorry, taste! The Canadian Super Store sell the miniature hamburger buns (or make your own) and they are the perfect size. If your store does not sell these, small soft buns will do. Cobbs Bakery now have the slider buns.

For 8 burgers you will need:

  • 1 lb. fine ground beef
  • 1/2 oz .sliced Brie cheese (triple cream is best) for each burger
  • 2 medium sized porcini mushrooms, sliced

Form the burgers into 1 inch thick patties, adding nothing to the mixture. Season with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper and a smear of olive oil. Grill to medium over  a high heat.

Place the burgers on miniature size soft buns that have been lightly grilled.

Add 1/2 oz. of Brie cheese on each burger, by cutting into thick strips and place on a burger once it has been grilled, until it has become slightly molten.

Slice the porcini mushrooms into strips and season with a little oil, salt and pepper. Grill quickly and place on top of the melted cheese and place on  the top of the bun. Serve immediately.

Be sure to add a generous dollop of the truffle aioli to the burger. Recipe follows.

 

Truffle Aioli

  • 2 cups mayonnaise
  • juice from 2 limes
  • 2 tbsp. white truffle paste
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 eggs

Add the eggs to a food processor. Slowly drizzle the oil until a mayo like consistency is achieved. Add the remaining ingredients while  the machine is running.

Add this on your burgers….oh my! yummy

 

Beef, Mushroom and Pepper Tart/Pizza

Who says you can’ t have both? Tart or pizza? Combine the two and it is, no matter how you word it……fabulous and super tasty.

Busy schedule during the week or just a TGIF day, this one’s the real lifesaver.

 

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 8 oz. fresh, sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 green pepper, cut into strips and then cut into small pieces
  • 3 shallots, sliced
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of pepper
  • 1 package of puff pastry, thawed
  • 3-4 oz. Manchego cheese
  • fresh oregano or basil

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. In a skillet, cook the beef and shallots until starting to turn brown and add the mushrooms and green pepper. Stirring occasionally, add the salt and pepper and drain off the excess fat.

Grease a large baking sheet or line with parchment paper. Unroll the puff pastry and roll it out to about 15 x 12 inches. Top the dough with all the filling, keeping it about an inch off the sides.

Placethe pastry edges up over the mixture, folding as necessary. Do not cover completely, hence the tart feel.

Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the cheese over the top and drop some fresh oregano or basil on top. Slice, plate and enjoy.

If staying in, pour a glass of wine for the over 19’s and soda or chocolate milk for the younger set. Mini party in no time.

 

 

Grape Meatballs

 

 

This is a wonderful dish to make, especially if serving Buffet style.

  • 1  1/2 lbs. lean hamburger
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup panko crumbs
  • 2 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
  • 1/2 minced onion
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste.

Mix together the above ingredients and form into two inch balls. Set aside

Sauce

  •  12 oz. bottle of chili sauce
  • 6 oz. bottle hot ketchup
  •  10 oz. bottle of grape jelly (no kidding)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. soy sauce

Mix these all together in a large pot. Bring to a boil and add the uncooked meatballs. Simmer this for thirty-forty minutes.

These can be served with rice or noodles.  ENJOY! This truly is an addictive sauce and you will all be wanting more.

 

Lucille’s Meatballs

This recipe is my sister-in-law’s.  Try it , it is sooooo good!

  • 1 egg slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup cracker crumbs.

Mix together and let sit until milk is absorbed.

Add: 1  1/2 lbs hamburger, salt and pepper to tastes and fresh chopped parsley. Mix into 1” balls and brown in a large fry pan.  When cooked, place in a casserole.

Now, you need:

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tin of mushrooms (not bits and pieces)reserve liquid
  • Saute this in same fry pan until the onions are transparent, then add:
  • 1 tin of water
  • 1 tin of consomme OR 2 tins beef broth
  • reserved mushroom liquid

Cook this until it thickens.  Pour over meatballs and bake for 1 hour in a 350 degree oven.

This dish is heavenly when served with garlic mashed potatoes  and fresh asparagus.

 

Taste rating: 9