Mini Meat Loaves

This is one of my favorite recipes. It's easy, fast and oh so yummy.

Mini Meat Loaves


Prep Time: 10 minutes   Start to Finish: 30 Minutes  Serves 6 (2 loaves each)


1/2 c ketchup
2 T. packed brown sugar
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork (or turkey)
1/2 cup Bisquick (I substitute with quick cook oats)
1/2 t pepper
1 small onion chopped (1/4 c)
1 egg

1. Heat oven to 450°F. In small bowl, stir ketchup and brown sugar until mixed; reserve 1/4 cup for topping. In large bowl, stir remaining ingredients and remaining ketchup mixture until well mixed.
2. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. Place meat mixture in pan; pat into 12x4-inch rectangle. Cut lengthwise down center and then crosswise into sixths to form 12 loaves. Separate loaves, using spatula, so no edges are touching. Brush loaves with reserved 1/4 cup ketchup mixture.
3. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until loaves are no longer pink in center and meat thermometer inserted in center of loaves reads 160°F.

Makes 6 servings (2 loaves each)

I like mashed potatoes with this and fresh cooked veggies. Can you guess what we're having for dinner tonight? 

Mashed Potato Hot Dog Casserole

WARNING: This meal is extremely kid friendly..

I know what you're thinking. Sheesh, does this girl cook anything besides potatoes?

Yes, yes I do cook other things. I know a lot of people are struggling, and new cheap recipe ideas are always helpful.

We didn't have much money growing up so my mom cooked a lot with potatoes. This, like the Potato Soup recipe, are childhood favorites of mine.

While this is a cheap and filling meal, it's not necessarily a "quick" meal. It takes about an hour from start to finish but it's totally worth it.


Ingredients:

• Potatoes
• Hot Dogs
• Yellow Mustard
• Paprika
• Cheese optional

Directions:

1. Prepare a batch of mashed potatoes as you normally would. (I made 5 pounds of red potatoes for this batch)

        2. Cut hot dogs down the center lengthwise and lay them open filling a  casserole dish (I used 17 Hebrew National Hot Dogs in 2 casserole dishes)

     3. Squirt the mustard onto the hot dogs

4. Spread the mashed potatoes over the hot dogs
5. Sprinkle Paprika over the top

6. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. At the end of 30 minutes turn on a low broil for about 5 more minutes (if you only have 1 broil temp, just do 3 minutes). At this time, you can sprinkle cheese on the top before you broil. 

Caution: It's really HOT!!

Potato Soup

 

Potato was one of my favorite dishes as a child. My mom made it so well. The ingredients are simple and it's easy and quick to make. I make it often because not only is it good, it's cheap and filling and lasts a couple of days. I can usually get 2 dinners and a lunch out of 1 batch.

The directions are for a Gessler family size double batch. You may have to adjust based on your family size.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (I use 12)
• Chicken bullion cubes (I use 8)
• Leek (I use 1)
• Yellow Onion (I use 1)
• Heavy Whipping Cream (I use 1 qt)
• Salt and pepper
• Chervil

Directions:

Fill pot on stove top with water on high to warm up (I fill my large stock pot a little more than half way).
Add bullion cubes.
Peel and wash and cut potatoes into chunks add to water.
Bring water to a boil.
Chop leek and onion and saute in a pan, then add to boiling water.
Boil until potatoes are very soft (about 20 minutes).
Turn heat down and add whipping cream.
Use a potato masher to start to break up the potatoes (not too much, its not mashed potatoes) My husband likes chunky potato soup so I leave some chunks.
Add about a palm full of Chervil and stir up.
Serve with french bread or something similar.

It's very good, and very easy.