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I decided to look at when I started this blog, it was back in 2007. Wow hadn't realized it had been 3 years. I hope that you will browse through my past recipe's and try some of them out!

Italian Wedding Soup

1 pound extra−lean ground beef
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
3 tablespoons minced onion
2 1/2 quarts chicken broth
2 cups spinach − packed, rinsed and thinly sliced
1 cup seashell pasta
3/4 cup diced carrots

In a medium bowl, combine the beef, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, basil and onion. Shape mixture into 3/4−inch balls and set aside.

In a large stockpot heat chicken broth to boiling; stir in the spinach, pasta, carrot and meatballs. Return to boil; reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, at a
slow boil for 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Honey Mustard Meatloaf

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or combination of beef and turkey
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs, plain or seasoned
2 eggs 1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon chopped dried leaf basil, or less if bread crumbs are seasoned
1/2 teaspoon seasoned or plain salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons Dijon style mustard
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, onions, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir in eggs, mixing gently but thoroughly. Shape into loaf. Place loaf in baking pan. Combine honey and mustard, brush half of the mixture on loaf.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Brush with remaining honey and mustard mixture. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes longer. Remove from oven and sprinkle chopped green onion. Serves 6 to 8.

Adapting Standard Recipe's to a Crock Pot

Here are some suggestions for best results when taking a standard recipe and using it in a crock pot.

• Remember that liquids do not cook away like they would if on the cook top. Use half the amount of liquids called for in the standard recipe. Also, add liquids last, after meat or vegetables have been placed in the cooker.
• It is not necessary to brown larger pieces of meat unless you need to cook off some of the grease before adding the remaining ingredients. For example, browning ground beef, sausage or bacon first and draining the fat is recommended.
• Milk, cream and sour cream should be added during the last hour of cooking to prevent curdling.
• Do not remove the lid except to add ingredients. It takes up to 20 minutes for the heat to build back up to the proper temperature.
• Spices intensify during long cooking times so use half the amount and add during the last hour of cooking.
• To thicken sauces after cooking the meat, you can add quick-cooking tapioca or a paste made of flour or cornstarch and water and cook on HIGH an additional uncovered 10 minutes.
• Most vegetables should be thinly sliced or placed near the sides or bottom of the cooker. They cook slower than meats.
• Cut whole chickens and any meats in half that are over 2 lbs to be sure they cook thoroughly.
• For safety, always cook meat and poultry dishes on HIGH the first hour to speed up the time it gets to get to a safe cooking temperature for meats. Then reduce to LOW for the remainder of the cooking time.

7 Layer Casserole

2 cup thinly sliced red potatoes
1 cup thinly sliced onion, separate rings
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 can green beans, drained
1 lb raw ground beef OR 1 lb of chopped ham
1 can cream of mushroom or celery soup
1/2 can water
Salt & Pepper

Lightly grease a 2 qt casserole dish. Layer the items in the order listed, lightly salting and peppering each layer as desired. Cover and bake 2 to 2 1/2 hours at 350 degrees. Uncover the last 10 min if you want the top browned.

Oriental Meatloaf

1 1/2 pounds ground beef - lean is best
1/2 pound ground pork
3 slices bread, broken up into small pieces
2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 small onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

Topping:
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup

In a large bowl, mix together the beef, pork, bread crumbs, eggs, onion, and celery. Add the soy sauce, ginger, and 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce. Pat mixture into a shallow 2 quart baking pan.

Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Drain grease from pan.

In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup hoisin with 2 tablespoons ketchup. Spread over top of meatloaf. Continue baking for 20 minutes or so.

Remove from oven, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Applesauce Meatballs

1 cup applesauce
1 egg
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper
1 pound ground beef




flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 carrots thinly sliced
2 onions thinly sliced
3 cups tomato juice


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Combine applesauce, egg, bread crumbs, and salt and pepper, with ground beef; mix until well blended. Form into medium-sized meatballs, and roll in flour.

Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high or high heat. Cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until evenly browned but not cooked through. Lay in a baking dish and set aside.

In the same skillet, partially cook the carrots and onions over medium high heat until onions are transparent. Stir often so carrots do not scorch. Add the tomato juice, season to taste with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour over the top of the meatballs.

Bake, covered, for 45 minutes, or until carrots are tender and meatballs are cooked through. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes before removing from the oven.