Yeah, It's Meatloaf.

Yeah, it's meatloaf...  So, I never really liked meatloaf till my Granny Hilda made hers.  It made its own gravy.  I have that stored in my brain, but this isn't it.  This is MY recipe, with some hints of hers in it.  And as always... no exact measurements here... cause that is how I roll.  You may not like everything about mine ... so add something you like to it and take away what you don't like.  Make it yours.... 

What you will need for my recipe:

VEGGIES!  What I used:  1 Small Yellow Squash

                                           1 Small Zucchini

                                           1 Medium Carrot

                                           Shred these veggies.

                                           1 Medium Onion, diced

                                           2 HUGE Cloves of Garlic, minced

                                           1 Jar of Diced Pimentos 

You are going to saute' these veggies until they are tender in a little olive oil or butter, let them cool.

I added some of my "sauce" to the veg mixture.

Also, while sauteing ... take a 16 oz can or larger, of tomato puree or crushed tomatoes and add balsamic vinegar ( I used balsamic ketchup) and Heinz 57... add just a little at a time until it is tangy... let it come up to a boil.  Set it aside to cool. 

Next up, hamburger.  I used about a pound and a half to the veggies I used.  I used a LEAN hamburger.  You can use whatever is on sale.  If the higher fat content is on sale, use a pan that can handle all the fat that is going to come out of it.

I used one beaten extra large egg, even though my grandmother NEVER used eggs.  I also added 2 crumbled up biscuits.  Yes, biscuits.  That is what she used and that is what I use.  Now as you mix this, add some of the "sauce" you made up (make it moist but not overly moist, you need to be able to shape these loaves).  Also add a little celery salt and black pepper. 

If you have doubts about seasoning, take a little bit of the mix and cook it in a pan... taste it.

Once it is all mixed, chill it for a little bit so free hand shaping will be easier.  I never use a loaf pan of any kind.

I used a foil lined baking sheet and free formed 2 loaves.  Bake at 350 F for about 45 minutes.  Then, add sauce to the top and bake for 30 to 45 minutes.  You will know it is done when the internal temperature is 160 F.  

Serve sauce on the side as well.  

Simple Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are so simple that anyone, any age could make them... and this is what you will need:

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp vanilla

Simple, right (and yes, NO flour)???

So I mix the sugar, vanilla and egg together then add the peanut butter.  It is so simple you can do it with just a big mixing spoon.  

Preheat that oven to 350 degrees (I used my toaster oven to bake these cookies).  Parchment paper on your baking sheet or pan... if no parchment, foil the pan and spray or butter it.  Next... make cookie dough balls or scoops if you have them.  Whatever size you want.  These cookies do not spread very much, so keep that in mind.  Once they are on the pan, press them with your hands so they won't dome up, take a fork and make a criss-cross design, if you want to.  Baking time may vary depending on whether you want really soft cookies or more firm and darker brown cookies.  It doesn't take long to bake these, so don't walk away for more than 5-10 minutes....  

This recipe made 12-15 cookies for me.  And it is so easy to double or triple... etc.  I added vanilla because it seemed to enhance the flavor of the cookies.

Good luck and enjoy!!!