Amazing Meatloaf

I'm not a huge fan of meatloaf unless it's THIS meatloaf.  To die for.  Really.

• 1 1/2 pounds hamburger
• 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
• 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 package dry onion soup mix
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 T. soy sauce

• Preheat the oven to 400
• Mix the hamburger, crackers, cheese, and onion soup mix until well blended.  In a small bowl, whisk eggs, ketchup, and soy sauce until smooth.  Pour over meat mixture and stir until combined.  If it is dry, add a tiny bit of milk.  Press into a 9x13. (I recommend putting a wire rack in first so the grease drips into the pan and doesn't puddle around the meatloaf.)
• Bake until no longer pink in the middle, about 20-30 minutes.

Brittney's Artichoke Dip

I'm claiming this one as mine, even though I found it online!  It was soooooo good!

2 (6.5 oz) jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped into tiny pieces.
2 c. mayo
3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chile peppers
Paprika

• Preheat oven to 350
• In a medium bowl, mix the artichoke hearts, mayo, 2 c. Parmesan, cream cheese, and green chiles.  Scoop the mixture into a pie pan or medium baking pan.  Top with remaining Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly and slightly browned.  Serve warm.

Note:  I used wheat thins and french bread.

Luscious Slush Punch

This is the recipe from Christmas Eve...

2-1/2 cups white sugar
6 cups water
2 (3 oz) packages strawberry flavored jello
1 (46 oz) can pineapple juice
2/3 c. lemon juice
1 quart (4 cups) orange juice
2 bottles Sprite or 7-Up

• Bring the sugar, water, and jello to a boil in a large saucepan; boil for 3 minutes.  Stir in the pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orange juice.  Divide mixture into 2 separate containers and freeze.
• Combine the contents of 1 container with 1 bottle of Sprite in a punch bowl; stir until slushy. Repeat with remaining portions as needed.

Note:  I cut the frozen juice into cubes so it would turn to slush faster.

Jen's Rolls

So, I know I usually make these as cresent rolls, but this last Thanksgiving I made them different and much easier.  They turned out looking like Texas Roadhouse rolls - square.  Here is the recipe and I'll explain how I rolled them out below.


2 pkgs. yeast (4 tsp. yeast)
1/2 c. warm water
3/4 c. cooking oil
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups warm milk
2 eggs
8 (+/-) cups flour

put oil, salt, and sugar in large mixing bowl. add warm milk. stir until sugar dissolves. add yeast softened in 1/2 cup warm water. stir in beaten eggs. add flour. mix thoroughly till smooth. cover with aluminum foil and store in refrigerator at least 2 hours. dough however will keep several days. when ready to use, sprinkle four on table or counter - large surface. place 1/2 the dough on the floured surface and roll into a 1 inch thick rectangle.  Then just cut into squares - cut rows.  Place on greased cookie sheet and bake until very light about 15 minutes at 425. brush lightly with butter when they come out.

This also is good dough for cinnamon rolls and pizza.

                

November Recipes

I have found a bunch of recipes on Pinterest lately that I put into our November meal calendar.  I thought I would share the links for you to check them out.  If they turn out good I will put them on here permanently.

1. Chinese Honey Chicken - (I tried this once and I had to add more garlic, ginger, and I added some red pepper flakes - to give it more of a kick) It does have the best way to bread chicken I've ever tried.
2. Crock Pot Orange Chicken
3. Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken
4. BLT Pasta Salad 
5. Crock Pot Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin
6. Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup
7. Three Cheese Pasta Bake
8. Pizza Factory Bread Sticks
9. Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
10. Stuffed Green Peppers

Chicken and Rice Casserole

1 1/4 c. uncooked rice
1 c. milk
1 can cream of mush
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of celery
2 chicken breasts
1/4 c. margarine
parmesan cheese
paprika

Mix milk with soup and divide in half.  Mix 1/2 of soup mixture with the rice.  Put rice mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle cheese on top of rice mixture. Put cut up chicken on top of the cheese, and butter on top of the chicken chicken.  Sprinkle with paprika and pour the remaining soup on top.  Then top with more cheese and more paprika.

Bake for 2 hours and 15 min. at 275

Bannana Bread

1/2 c. butter melted
2 eggs beaten
5 T. sour cream
1 c. sugar
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
2 c. flour
3 ripe bannanas
(add chocolate chips if desired)

Melt butter, add beaten eggs.  Add sour cream, sugar, soda, salt, flour.  Add mashed bannanas - bake in greased loaf pan at 325 until very light brown.