Meat Loaf ........ A good thing?

I don't think most people really like meat loaf.  It's an old standard and usually thought of as not the most healthy of foods.  But I believe other wise.  Here I'm giving you a basic recipe with lots of alternatives and it just might change your mind about meat loaf.

1-1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 cup milk
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Mrs. Dash
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1 large egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 large onion chopped
1/2 red bell pepper chopped
1/2 cup ketchup

Heat oven to 350*F.
Saute onion, garlic and bell pepper. (5 minutes)  Let cool slightly.
In large bowl, mix all ingredients except ketchup.  Shape into 9x5 inch loaf in ungreased 13x9 sheet pan.  Spread ketchup over top.
Bake uncovered 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.  Or until thermometer reads at least 160*F.
Let stand 5 minutes; remove from pan.

Alternatives:
You can make a Mexican meat loaf, Italian meat loaf or an Asian meat loaf.
Beef can be replaced or mixed with; ground turkey, pork or italian sausage.
I use Mrs. Dash, but you can use any seasonings or fresh herbs you like.
Bread crumbs can be replaced with; crackers, sliced bread or brown rice.
I've also added beans to my meat loaf for added protein.
To make mexican meat loaf, cut milk to 2/3c. and add 1/3c. salsa and throw in some shredded cheese, black beans and diced green chile's.  Replace ketchup w/ salsa.
Asian meat loaf, add some asian spices and put sweet-n-sour sauce on top.
BBQ meat loaf, put a drop of liquid smoke in the mixture and top with bbq sauce.
You can add just about any vegetable to your meat loaf, just finely chop and toss into the mix. Additional bread crumbs may be needed because of the moisture content in the vegetables.
I've made individual meat loaves by dividing the mixture into medium muffin cups. Cook for about 30 minutes. Then top with mashed potatoes and grated cheese.  They looked like a real cupcake and the kids loved them.

See, there are so many options when making meat loaf. 
So, Is meat loaf a good thing? I say yes!!

Split Pea Soup w/ Smoked Ham

I loved Anderson's Split Pea Soup and I've always talked it up to Matt and he's wanted to try it, but since there isn't an Anderson's anywhere around us and this is the perfect time of year to have some split pea soup, I decided to try and make it myself.  And I must say, it was awesome!!  Maybe even better than Anderson's.
This recipe is adapted from my BC cookbook.

2-1/4 cups (1 lb.) dried split peas, sorted and rinsed
7 cups liquid (I used 4c. chicken broth & 3c. water)
1/4 tsp pepper
2 large onions chopped (2 cups)
2 cloves garlic chopped (I used large cloves)
2 medium stalks celery chopped (1 cup)
3 medium carrots thinly sliced (1-1/2 cups)
1 - 2 lb smoked ham

In a 4 - 6 quart slow cooker, mix all ingredients.  Cover and cook on Low heat setting 6 - 8 hours until peas are tender.  Remove ham and let stand until cool enough to handle.  Puree soup until smooth.  Chop ham and add back into soup.

Notes: 
I used a blender to puree my soup and you have to be very careful, and SHOULD only do 2 cups at a time.  Ideally an immersion blender would be perfect for this, but I don't have one.
I always use homemade or low sodium broths when I cook and most times replace water with broth.

Waffles w/ Homemade Maple Syrup and Strawberries

Last Sunday I made waffles for breakfast.  This is the second time I have made them this year, the first time I used a recipe out of my BC cookbook and I didn't like the way they tasted, kinda like cardboard.  So I reworked the recipe and this is what I came up with.  Our household thought they were pretty good.  Enjoy!!

2 large eggs
2 cups all purpose or whole wheat flour
1 cup low fat buttermilk
3/4 cup milk (I used 2%)
1/2 cup melted butter
3 Tbsp sugar (you can use Stevie or true via)
4 tsp baking powder
1/4 salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat waffle iron, you may need to use a cooking spray if you don't have a non-stick iron.
In large bowl, beat eggs with wire whisk until fluffy.  Beat in remaining ingredients until smooth.
Pour slightly less than 3/4 cup batter onto center of hot waffle iron. (Check manufacturer's directions for recommended amount of batter.) Close lid of waffle iron.
Bake about 5 minutes or until steaming stops.  Carefully remove waffle and serve immediately.

We like to serve them with homemade maple flavored syrup and strawberries.

Maple Syrup Recipe ( I got this recipe from my Dad - Thanks Dad!!)
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple flavor

Heat water and sugar in sauce pan until sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and add vanilla and maple. 
My Dad uses 2 cups of sugar to make a thicker syrup, I just let it boil for a few minutes.  Either way you get a good syrup.  Since I've been making this syrup I can't eat the store bought stuff.

Family Inspiration - 28 JAN

Marriage and parenthood were God's ideas, and He tells us in His Word how to live together in peace and harmony.

Encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Family Inspiration - 23 JAN

When a parent loses the early confrontations with a child, the later conflicts become harder to win.

Chasten thy son while there is hope
Proverbs 19:18

Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 medium onions, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 1/2 medium green peppers
• 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 1/2 cup dry white wine or 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 cup non-fat tortilla chips (optional)

1. Sauté onion, garlic, jalapeño and green pepper with olive oil in a large pot until soft.
2. Add all the rest of the ingredients to the large pot and bring to a boil.
3. After about 15 minutes, remove the chicken breasts and shred.
4. (Two forks work well to pull the chicken apart!).
5. Return shredded chicken to the pot and simmer an additional 45 minutes.
6. Serve, topped with crushed tortilla chips if desired.

Notes:
This recipe was a special request from my friend Lynn and her cousin.  I haven't personally made this soup.
The recipe came from Food.com

Family Inspiration - 22 JAN

There is something about giving to others that takes the spotlight of your own pain.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Herbed Beef Roast

3-lb beef boneless tip roast
1 tsp mixed dried herb leaves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup balsamic vinegar

If roast comes in netting or is tied, do not remove.  Spray 12 inch skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat.  Cook beef in skillet about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until brown on all sides. Sprinkle with herbs, salt and pepper.
In 4- to 5- quart slow cooker, place garlic. Place beef on garlic. Pour vinegar over beef.  Cover and cook on low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.  Remove netting from beef.

12 Servings

Notes:
I used 1 tsp each of marjoram, basil and oregano.
You can omit the skillet browning if you want, but it really adds another layer of flavor to the beef and sauce the vinegar and juices make.
This recipe came from my Betty Crocker Cookbook Bridal Edition

Roasted Chicken w/ Caramelized Onions Soup

2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 medium onions, cut in half and thinly sliced
8 cups chicken broth, low sodium
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 medium carrots sliced
2 stalks celery sliced
1 cup instant brown rice (or) 3/4 cup uncooked trumpet shaped pasta (campanelle)
2 cups roasted chicken cut into strips (or) shredded
salt to taste

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions and cook until they begin to brown, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat to medium.  Cook until onions are tender and caramelized, stirring occasionally.  Remove skillet from heat.
Heat broth, black pepper, carrots and celery in 4 qt saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.  Stir rice or pasta and chicken in saucepan.  Reduce heat to medium.  Cook 10 min or until rice/pasta is tender.  Stir in onions and serve immediately. 

Serves 6

Notes: 
I used brown rice and it was really good and it thickened the soup a bit.
Next time I'm going to use 3 onions, because I really liked the taste of the onions.
You can use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store if you don't want to cook your own, plus it saves time.

Cooking & Recipes

I must have over 20 cook books in my collection, I love cook books.  I also have a cook book I've made up myself of recipes I've cut out of magazines or off the internet. But honestly I've maybe used less than 5 recipes out of all my cook books. Well this year that is going to change.  Each week I'm going to cook one new recipe out of one of my cook books. I've tried 3 new recipes.

Sweet Corn Spoon Bread.  I have had this recipe for 3 years and I've been so excited to make this dish.  Well I was very disappointed.  It wasn't at all what I thought it would be.  But, I'm going to rework the recipe and make it work for me, because the concept is good just not the flavors. When I get it right, I will share it with you.

Caramelized Onion Chicken Soup.  This is one of the best soups I've ever tasted.  I got the recipe out of the Parade.  If you like french onion soup and chicken soup, you'll love this. And it's very easy to make.  If you want the recipe, let me know.

Roast Beef with Balsamic Vinegar.  I was nervous about this one, but the vinegar really tenderized the beef and the juices made a great sauce. Another really easy recipe, made in the crock pot.  This one came from one of my Betty Crocker cook books.

Book List

One of the goals I've set for myself this year is to read more.  Since being a stay at home mom and house wife, I feel as though my brain has turned to mush at times, and I think reading will help remove the mush.  So far I've read 3 books this month.  I'm going to try and read two books a month, one for fun and another for learning.  Here is the list of books I've finished so far ......

Call of the Wild; Jack London.  Thank you to Madalynn for choosing this one, I really enjoyed reading it out loud to her.  I can't wait to see which one she picks next time.

Organized Simplicity, The Clutter Free Approach to Intentional Living; Tsh Oxenreider.  This is a good read for anyone wanting to simplify life and be more organized.

Victory Over the Darkness, Realizing the Power of your Identity in Christ; Neil T. Anderson. This is a great book and I recommend it to anyone struggling in their life or just wanting to learn more about living with Christ.

Family Inspiration - 21 JAN

Raising kids is a pretty awesome task, even when the job is handled by a team of two, as intended.

Two are better than one, because...if one falls down, his friend can help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10

Welcome!!

Hello Everyone,

I just started my new blog.  I will be posting daily inspiration's and bible verses, cooking recipes and reading lists.  All things that interest me and will hopefully interest you too.  I'm new to blogging, so it may take me a bit to catch on, but hopefully it will be informative for all.

**UPDATE 7/15/14**
I've been away from my blog for a while.  A lot has changed since I started this blog. the kids are older so I'm not sitting at home anymore. Although I'm still cooking, reading and wanting to share inspirational bible verses, we are much more active and we're homeschooling.  Which brings me to this ... I'd like to change the name of my blog, just not sure to what.  So I'm asking for recommendations and ideas from my friends and family to help me get my creative juices flowing.  If you have any ideas please share in the comments or on my FB page.  Can't wait to see what you all come up with.  :)