Meatloaf

I was never a fan of meatloaf because almost every single one I had tried was dry and lacked flavor. My husband also isnt a big fan but after doing some research I decided to give it a try. It took several attempts to get it how I like it and a hodge podge of recipes combined together. This meatloaf is now one of my most favorite meals, specially in the fall and winter months. Its juicy, tasteful and delicious!

Meatloaf

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 onion
• a few cloves of garlic (depending on how much you like it, we like a lot so I ususally use 3-4 cloves.
• 1/4 tbsp pepper
• 1/4 tbsp sage
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard
• 1 tbsp worchestire sauce

Topping

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup

Directions

• Mix all main ingredients together and form into a loaf and place inside a lightly greased loaf pan.
• Mix topping together and spread over the loaf.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
• Uncover and bake for 15 additional minutes

colorado chili

This recipe is so good and so easy to play around with. I've made it 3 or 4 times now and every time I add something different. I found this recipe from my friend Katie, you can view her blog here, "Busy Mom's Cookbook", she has tons of fabulous recipes!

Here is the original recipe copied from her blog, I used 1 pound of ground turkey for a smaller batch. Enjoy!

Colorado Chili

This recipe is a combination of a few recipes I've tried. Deon really likes Boulder hot italian sausage and hates kidney beans so this is the chili recipe I came up with for him. If you don't like sausage just use 2lbs of ground beef or turkey. And of course, you can use dark red kidney beans instead of plain red beans. It also makes a TON of Chili and freezes very well. We ended up with about 5 meals for the two of us (very generous portions). We ate one and I froze 4 in gallon ziploc bags.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 lb hot italian sausage - We like Boulder Sausage. (Boulder sausage is a Colorado thing - don't kill yourself trying to find it if you don't live here, :P)

2 cups chopped onions

1 cup chopped green sweet peppers

4 garlic cloves minced

2 (14 1/2 ounce)cans tomatoes , cut up (I used one plaincan and one can of rotel for extra kick)

2 (15 ounce)cans red beans , rinsed and drained

2 (8 ounce)cans tomato sauce

4-5 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon dried basil , crushed

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a large saucepan cook meat, onion, sweet pepper, and garlic until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat.

2. Stir in undrained tomatoes beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil, and pepper.

3. Bring to boil; reduce heat.

4. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

5. Crockery-cooker directions: Cook meat, onion, sweet pepper, and garlic as above. Drain fat. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart electric crockery cooker combine meat mixture, undrained tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil and pepper. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.

30 Minute Chili

I had taken some hamburger out last night for my husband and I. I thought all day long about what to make with it since our pantry items were few and far between. I had contemplated meatballs but then realized I had no breadcrumbs. While browsing the pantry I came across Chili seasoning and decided, hey! I can make some quick chili! So here is my quick & easy 30 minute chili, which by the way tasted FABULOUS! Oh and I totally cheated by using store bought ingredients but what do you expect for 30 minutes?!

30 Minute Chili
1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
1 packet of Chili Seasoning
1 16oz jar of salsa
1 16oz can of pinto beans
1.5 C water

Shredded cheese & sour cream to top if desired.

• Brown beef in a pan & dry
• Add water, seasoning, salsa & pinto beans
• Simmer for 8-10 minutes
• Spoon into bowls and top with cheese & sour cream if desired

Enjoy!