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