Mini Meatloaf

The Teen Queen has been asking for meatloaf.  This is something they like for a dinner or for a lunch during the summer.  Using individual mini loaf pans allows for me to make 9 mini meatloaves so they can heat and eat them whenever they want.

You can add whatever you want to this recipe.  I always make meatloaf different ways but today I made just a basic ground beef meatloaf.

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I like to use the 90/10% for meatloaf).
tsp. onion powder, tsp. worcestershire sauce, tsp. celery salt, dash of pepper
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I use 1/2 plain panko and 1/2 Italian seasoned)
2 eggs

Mix all, form into individual balls, press into loaf pan and bake at 350 until cooked through (approximately 22 minutes).

Let cook and freeze leftovers for the kids to pull out during the week!

Lazy Pierogi

My Aunt Chere used to make this for family parties and it was always one of my favorites!  It is a creamy buttery delicious side dish or meal!

**There are more pictures on my Facebook page here:  Lazy Pierogi

1 16 oz box rotini pasta cooked
1 1/2 cups sauerkraut (or more/less to your taste)
1 medium onion
1 cup mushrooms chopped
1 stick of butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Saute the mushrooms in 2 TBSP butter and set into a large bowl with the cooked pasta.

Using the same pan add the rest of the butter and saute the onions until soft (approximately 4 minutes) and pour over the pasta in the large bowl.

Mix the soup and sauerkraut with the pasta mixture and pour into a 9×13 cake pan.

Bake at 350 approximately 15 minutes until heated through.

**to make this a one pot meal brown some kielbasa in the onion pan and mix into the pasta before warming**

Meatball Stroganoff

I knew we would have a busy Sunday with the “Snowflake Dance” for the Teen Queen while the Boy was down and out with a fever and terrible cough.  I was going to make a meatloaf for dinner when they all gave me the “meatloaf again” look.  I decided they were right and actually a crockpot dinner would be best so I could focus on the Teen Queen and her friends until they went to the dance.

Meghan, Morgan and Chase

Meghan and Chase have been friends since they were 4 (10 years now) and they met Morgan this year in their first year of high school.  Please don’t think Meghan is sick, she was diagnosed with Alopecia in February and while it has been a hard thing to deal with especially at this age and starting your first year in high school, this girl is stunning and a real trooper.  I forget she actually has it as she never focuses on it and it doesn’t hinder her in any way.  She still has her adventurous spirit when her and Chase are together!

This meatball stroganoff is a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.  It’s perfect over pasta or served with a side of biscuits to soak up the gravy!!

Here is the basic recipe and it does not have to be exact. I used 2 lbs of beef with this version and doubled it as I had my mother and niece to feed as well as our family lol!!

1 lb ground beef

1 egg

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 soup can of water

1 cup heavy cream or milk

2 TBSP cornstarch

2 beef bouillon cubes

2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

2 TBSP minced garlic (separated)

1 medium onion diced

1 cup bread crumbs (I used Italian seasoned)

16 oz cooked egg noodles or 12 biscuits

Meatballs: ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, 1 TBSP minced garlic, 1/2 onion diced, dash of salt and pepper. Combine all and form meatballs Brown them in a frying pan and bake through at 375. (approx. 10 minutes) on a foil lined cookie sheet

Stroganoff sauce: cream of mushroom soup, water, cream/milk, cornstarch, bouillon cubes, Worcestershire sauce, other half of onion, 1 TBSP minced garlic. Mix all in crockpot and add baked meatballs. Cook on low for approximately 4 hours. Serve with pasta or biscuits!!

One Pot-Pot Roast

Recipe here:  Pot Roast

Last weekend we had our first blast of very cold temperatures.  This was the perfect meal to come into after skating in the frigid cold on our ice pond.  Comfort food at its best!

The cold temperatures only lasted 2 days and the next ten days it seems we will be back up into the mid 40’s again.  It’s been a very mild, snowless winter here on the Island so far.  I don’t mind too much but sure hope we get some snow and colder days so we can snowmobile and skate again!

 

Asparagus Fries

It’s been a very long time since I have posted and I apologize.  Life has gotten away from me a little with time and I promise to be back at my blog much more often!!

These baked asparagus fries are delicious and super easy to make.  You can season the panko bread crumbs any way you like or even make your own bread crumbs to use.

Here is how I made ours:

Trim the asparagus, dredge in flour and then dip into one beaten egg

Roll in the seasoned bread crumbs (I used seasoned Panko crumbs with a mix of parmesan and some ground pepper added)

Place on a wire rack on a foil lined cookie sheet or you can lay them directly on the foil lined sheet but should turn them once half way when cooking.

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 12-14 minutes.  The crumbs should be browned and the asparagus softened.  Serve right away.

I served ours with our oven roasted potatoes (recipe here: Oven Roasted Potatoes ) with a bit of sour cream and a ham steak that was warmed in a frying pan in a little pineapple juice.

Don’t forget to visit our family Facebook page to see all of our crazy daily happenings on the farm!!  Chasenchanceranch

Homemade “Beef” Helper

On busy school days with hockey, cheer, barn chores and so on, you can still make a great homemade hamburger helper without a box in about 30 minutes if not a little less.

Last night was one of those nights and with this meal, everyone was happy!

You can see how I made our homemade hamburger helper on my facebook page here:  Homemade Hamburger Helper

Pork Rollups

These pork rollups are delicious and so easy to make.  Kids love them as it’s a change from pork chops.

This is the same way we do chicken rollups substituting the pork for the chicken.

If you buy a pork roast you can slice it yourself or ask the meat department of the store (or butcher) to slice it thin for you.

Pork
1 box stuffing mix mixed with 1 1/4 cup water
1 can cream of chicken soup mixed with 1/2 cup water

Pound out the meat slightly, place a tablespoon of the stuffing mix in the center and spread it. Roll up the pork and secure with a toothpick.

Layer a little of the soup mix on the bottom of the casserole dish. Lay the rolls on top and cover with the remaining soup mix.

Cover and bake at 350 approximately 40 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink.

Serve with some homemade cranberry sauce and a veggie! YUM

You can see more pictures of how we make ours on my Facebook page here:  Pork Rollups

Beefaroni

This is way better than hamburger helper and so easy to make.  Definitely a favorite of the boy’s in this house!

1 lb ground beef

2 TBSP minced garlic

one medium onion diced fine

2 TBSP garlic infused oil or olive oil

1 jar/can or 3 cups homemade spaghetti sauce

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 lb your choice of pasta

 

I boil ground beef before I brown it but you don’t have to.

 

Brown the ground beef and onions in the oil. When done add the 2 TBSP minced garlic.

 

Add the sauce and right on top of that add the heavy cream. Mix and heat through.

 

Cook the pasta and serve the sauce on top with some grated cheese and fresh basil leaves.

So easy to make!!  Great with ground venison and ground turkey as well!

Rolled Braciole

This is a family favorite and so quick and easy!!  You can see how I make our Rolled Braciole in a red wine reduction sauce on my Facebook page here:  Rolled Braciole

Meatloaf Cupcakes

Who can resist dinner when you put this on the table???

Another super easy VERY kid friendly meal

Mix the 1 lb of beef, 1 package stuffing mix, 1 cup of water and 1 tsp. garlic salt in a bowl until fully incorporated

Lightly spray your cupcake tins (I used the jumbo tins) and place even amount pressing down lightly so the top is smooth

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 30 minutes (or until cooked through)

“Frost” with your mashed potatoes (store bought are fine in pinch) and sprinkles with corn

I promise they will all be back for seconds!!