Sweet-and-Sour Meat Loaf

(from Taste of Home)

1 egg, lightly beaten

5 TBPS ketchup, divided
2 TBPS prepared mustard (i am pretty sure i used a spicy brown mustard)
½ cup dry bread crumbs
2 TBSP onion Soup Mix
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
1 lbs lean ground beef (i am sure it would work with ground turkey as well)
¼ cup sugar
2 TBSP brown sugar
2 TBSP cider vinegar

1)      In a large bowl, combine the egg, 2 tbsp ketchup, mustard, bread crumbs, dry soup mix, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into an oval loaf.

2)      Place in shallow 1 QT microwave safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 10-12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and is 160⁰. Drain.

3)      Meanwhile in a small bowl, combine the sugars, vinegar and remaining ketchup; drizzle over meat loaf. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes longer or until heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 4 servings

Ok folks, this is where i changed it up.....  

**I did not microwave mine. I used bread a loaf pan and baked in the oven at 350 for 35 minutes, drained out the grease, then poured the sauce over it and baked longer – about 10-20 minutes…until it reached 160⁰. I did let it stand for about 10 minutes before slicing.

** the only thing I wish I had done, was have more sauce as it sort of ran down into the pan and I wanted it to stay on top of the loaf like ketchup does LOL. Possibly next time I will double the sauce and reserve some to pour on top at serving. OR even try and cook the sauce and reduce it by half so it is thicker before I pour over the loaf…..not quite sure.

Jessica's Fresh Cilantro Salsa

The other day I had some of my husband's family over and each family brought something to share. Jessica brought the most wonderful salsa! I just must share it.....

5 medium tomatoes
1 medium onion
3 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 sorreno pepper
juice from one lime
1/2 tsp cumin (because I LOVE cumin, I will put probably a tablespoon LOL i love it that much)
1/2 tsp salt

Throw all ingredients into your blender and once all blended....ENJOY with your favorite corn chips! I LOVED THIS SALSA!

Jenner's Version of Cowboy Caviar

1 15-ounce can mexi-corn

1 15-oz can black beans OR black-eyed peas

1 avocado diced

2/3 C chopped cilantro

1/2 -1 whole medium onion chopped

4 roma tomatoes diced

1/4 C olive oil

1/4 C red wine vinegar

3 cloves garlic diced

3/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground pepper

2 TBSP ground cumin

Mix corn, black beans, avocado, cilantro, onion and tomatoes in a bowl. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper and cumin. Add to Veggies and toss to coat. Grab a bag of chips and enjoy! YUMM

Jenner's Italian Breadcrumbs

2 cups bread crumbs

3/4 cup Parm Cheese (i don't use the grated kind, i used the already "powdered" kind LOL it works better i think!)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp ground pepper

4-5 HEAPING tsp Italian Seasoning (one day i will go back and actually measure how much this is, but LOL that's all i did here)

mix all together and viola you now have made some yummy italian bread crumbs. yummmmmmm

sweetened Condensed Milk...how to make

3/4 C sugar
1/2 C water
1 C plus 2 TBSP Powder Milk

Combine, Heat to boiling. Cook until thick (about 15-20 minutes)

This equals 1 can sweetened condensed milk :)

Carmel

This year my sister Angi and I made Carmels for Christmas. HOW FUN! I enjoyed this so much! AND I enjoyed eating these little carmels WAY too much!!!

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups Karo Syrup

1 can Eagle Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 Squares Margarine

Cook for 20 minutes stirring constantly in heavy pan on lower heat. Pour into greased 9x13 pan.

Rice Pudding

4 cups rice (I use minute rice)

1 cup sugar

3-4 eggs

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1/2 cup to 1 cup raisins

once rice is cooked, just cover with cold milk to cool the rice, add beaten eggs and stir. Add sugar and cinnamon and raisins. Continue stirring until thickened.

YUM!