Meatloaf Potato Bake

I experimented with new recipe on David the other day.  He loved it, so I'm posting it!  The measurements that I am posting are meant for two servings.

Potato part:
     Thinly slice two medium size potatoes.  Put them in a zip-locking quart-size bag.  Add:
      1 Tbsp. of olive oil
      1/2 tsp. salt
      1/4 tsp pepper
      1/4 tsp garlic powder
      1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Mix these in the bag by shaking it around until it all seems mixed.  Put them in the bottom of a 1 quart glass baking dish and pat them down so they create a smooth top.

Meatloaf part:
       1/2 pound lean ground beef
       1/2 tsp salt
       1/4 tsp pepper
       1/4 cup rolled oats
       1 egg

Mix all ingredients well.  Gently pat it on top of the potatoes and make sure you cover the entire area of the potatoes.  Bake for 1/2 hour at 350 degrees.  Let it sit for five minutes before you serve it.

Makes enough for 2 people.

Baked Zucchini Strips

Baked Zucchini Strips

This recipe was an experiment the other day and I think it turned our well enough to put on the blog.

Cut the zucchini in strips either round or elongated.  Depending on the size of the zucchini, I will cut it into sections that are about 2 1/2 to 3 inches long.

In a plastic closure bag (Ziplock), put it
      1/4 cup olive oil
      1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
      1/2 tsp salt
      dash of pepper
      1 Tbsp Salad Supreme Seasoning (McCormick)

Add the sliced zucchini and close the bag tightly.  Thoroughly mix the oil mixture and the zucchini.  Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Place the seasoned zucchini on a baking pan, close but not overlapping each other.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 7 minutes, turn the zucchini over and back for 5 more minutes.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Raisin Cookies

While preparing to leave China, I found I had a lot of oatmeal, peanut butter and raisins to use up before I could go or else throw them out.  Not wanting to do that, I found a recipe for Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies and changed some ingredients and added raisins.  David has declared it his NEW favorite cookie!

Cream together:
1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter

After it is mixed well add:
 2 eggs

Mix the eggs in well and then add:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Mix this all well and then add:
1 cup of quick oats
1 cup of raisins

When it is all mixed really well, drop by teaspoonfuls to a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.  Let them sit on the cookie sheet for a minute before you remove them to cool.  Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Raisin Cookies

Sweet Chex Mix

Sweet Chex Mix

2 boxes Rice or Corn Chex (can mix one of each if you want)

1 lb. mixed nuts or peanuts (can leave out, but I think it tastes better with them in)

1 cup and butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups light corn syrup

1 TBSP vanilla

Mix together in a large bowl the Chex and the nuts.

Boil the butter, sugar, corn syrup for 2 min. 

 Add vanilla.  

Pour over Chex and nuts and stir until well coated.

This makes a lot, so you can store it in an airtight container and save some for later, or give it away as gifts. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is from my sister-in-law, Merrilee.  She is a great cook and I can guarantee any recipe from her is going to be a winner!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 lb butter
2 1/2 cups brown sugar

Cream butter and sugar until smooth.  Add:

3 eggs

Beat well and then add:

6 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix thoroughly, but not too much.

You can add any of the follow to make them even better!

2 cups nuts
2 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups toffee chips

Make one inch balls of dough or use an ice cream scoop to put on a cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Look for a little golden color on the bottom of the cookie.  If it is golden, take them out of the oven.  If you want the cookie flatter, you will need to flatten them with your hand or a spoon before you bake them.  Let them sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes after you take them out of the oven to finish baking.

Crosscut Pickles

This recipe is an easy but wonderful pickle recipe that my family has enjoyed.  They are not too sweet, but also, not tart or too briny.  It also makes 7 pints and I put down amounts for just 2 pints (that will be the measurements in parenthesis)

Crosscut Pickles

You will need about 6 pounds, that equals about 4 quarts of cucumbers, sliced (2 pounds or 4 cups for a smaller batch).  Wash the cucumbers with a vegetable brush.  Slice unpeeled cucumbers 1/8 to 1/4 thickness.  Place in a large bowl or tub and add:

12 to 15 small white Onions.  I have also used sliced large onions and it works well, the small onions are just cute.  (1/3 cup of sliced onions).

2 large cloves of garlic. (1 clove, slice in half)

1/3 cup Salt (1 Tablespoon)

Mix these all together and add 2 quarts of ice cubes (1 quart).  Let it stand for 3 hours.  Drain the cucumbers and remove the garlic cloves.

Combine in a large pan:
4 to 4 1/2 cups sugar, depending on how sweet a pickle you want. (1 to 1 1/4 cups)
1 1/2 teaspoons tumeric (1/3 teaspoon)
1 1/2 teaspoons Celery seed (1/3 teaspoon)
2 Tablespoons Mustard seed (2 teaspoons)
3 cups White distilled Vinegar (1 cup)

Stir and bring just to a boil and then add the drained cucumber and onion slices.  Heat for 5 minutes, stirring to make sure that all the cucumbers get heated.

Pack loosely in pint jars to 1/2 inch of the top.  Put on jar lids.

Process for 5 minutes once it starts to steam.

Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies

Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies

1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda

Combine molasses, butter, ginger and baking soda in a saucepan.  Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until butter is completely melted.  Remove from heat.  Stir in:

1 1/4 cups flour.

Then add:

1 beaten egg

Stir until well blended.  Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.

On a well floured surface, roll our small amounts of cookie dough (about 2 teaspoons worth) to about 1/16 inch thickness.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake about 5 minutes or until done.  Remove from baking sheet and cool on racks.  Frost with confectioner's sugar frosting.