Taco Meatloaf

2 lbs lean ground beef
2 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs
1 small diced onion
1 can rotel diced green chilies and tomatoes
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
jar of favorite salsa
cheddar cheese

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for salsa and cheddar cheese, mix until blended evenly through. Shape into a loaf and bake at 350 for 30 minutes, remove from oven and add some of your favorite salsa on top. Place back in oven and continue cooking for another 30 minutes. Remove from oven and add some shredded cheddar cheese on top. Let sit for 5 minutes before slicing. For a little extra spice, add some chopped jalapenos to the mixture before baking.
Serve with a salad and mashed potatoes or spanish rice and beans.

Italian Meatloaf

1 lb lean ground beef
1 pkg. ground italian sausage
2 eggs
1 cup italian bread crumbs
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. dried basil
1 can italian diced tomatoes
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
shredded mozzerella cheese
your favorite spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce

In a large bowl, add all ingredients except for spaghetti/marinara sauce and mozzerella cheese, mix well until blended evenly. Shape into a loaf and bake on 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from pan and add sauce to the top of the meatloaf. Put back in oven and continue baking for another 30 minutes. (I like to cook my meatloaf on a broil pan so the fat juices can drip down away from the meatloaf.) Remove from oven and top with some shredded mozzerella cheese and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with a salad, mashed potatoes and garlic bread.

Why is Meatloaf Disliked so much.....?

Everytime I mention the word "meatloaf" at my house I immediately get all kinds of moans and groans and the words "yuck" and "gross" start coming out of my family's mouths...I don't get it, I love meatloaf, and you can fix it many different ways. Well, I've come up with a couple of variations from the traditional style that I think will become family favorites...we'll see. Oh, and did I mention that a cold meatloaf sandwich is awesome!!! :-)

Beans & Rice

Cook 1 pound of pinto beans and season the way you want...I usually add salt, sliced jalapenos, onion and chili powder to mine.

To make the rice, use instant rice
in a large non-stick skillet, add some butter, diced onion and bell peppers, 1 tsp. or more of tobasco sauce, and few squeezes of ketchup and saute' until veggies are starting to cook but aren't quite tender yet, then add some diced tomatoes and continue cooking until all veggies are tender. Add about 2 cups instant rice and water to the veggie mixture and mix well, cook slowly until rice is done, adding more water as needed.

To serve, put rice in a bowl and top with beans, add a little more hot sauce and enjoy!

Try adding some diced smoked sausage to your beans or rice just before serving.

This also would be a good spanish rice for a mexican side dish.

Happy Thanksgiving

Mummy Dogs

How about making some "mummy dogs" for your favorite kiddo or for yourself, they're really easy and fun to eat, and they would make a great party treat too.

I made them today for my family, and my son loved them so much he ate 3 and wanted more...I love making my kids smile.

The recipe is so simple you don't even need a recipe. Just buy some weiners, a can of cresent rolls and some mustard. Slice the crescent roll triangles in thin strips, wrap around the weiners and bake at 375 until golden brown. After they've baked, use a toothpick, dip in mustard and stick the weiners to make eyes. That's it.

One Brisket Two Meals

5-6 pound trimmed brisket, frozen
worsteshire sauce
liquid smoke
soy sauce

Meal #1

Brisket
Add enough water to cover the bottom of a deep, large pan. Place the frozen brisket in the pan. Mix the three sauces together and pour evenly over the top and bottom of the brisket. Place brisket fat side up and cover tightly with foil and cook on 250 all night long, or all day, approximately 8 hours. The brisket will fall apart when done and will be very juicy, and should have the flavor of a roast. Cooking the brisket fat side up helps keep the brisket juicy and the fat adds extra flavor. Remove the fat before eating. Serve with mashed potatoes, rolls and a veggie.

Meal #2
Chopped BBQ

Take leftover brisket and chop and shred with a fork into small chunks, (it should fall apart.) Place brisket in a large sauce pan and add your favorite bbq sauce. Let simmer until good and heated through. Serve on hamburger buns with pickles and onions for a great bbq sandwich.