Favorite Meat Loaf

Meatloaf is not generally thought of as a meal fit for company, except maybe for a family gathering, but this recipe produces one that could be, in my opinion. The reason I say this is because this meatloaf is not one of those that is so full of fillers you would not recognize it as a meat dish. The slices are firm textured and don't fall apart into several pieces when cut and placed on the plate.

Like most people, we love a baked potato as part of this meal. To ensure that the potatoes are cooked through and fork-tender when the meatloaf is ready, push a metal skewer through each potato lengthwise. The metal acts as a heat conductor and the potato cooks more evenly. Cook the potatoes along side the meatloaf on the oven rack.

There is always left-over meatloaf for us, which is quickly reheated in the microwave, one minute per side, on high heat, on a covered plate. I do the potatoes in the microwave for the left-over meal. Follow the manufacturers instructions for your oven, or pierce the potato with a knife and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the microwave on the turn table and cook on high heat until cooked through and fork-tender, about 5 minutes in my microwave. Blessings...

Recipe:

1 lb. ground beef, 4% fat

1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs

1/4 cup non-fat plain yogurt

1 egg

1-1/2 teaspoons finely minced onion

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon prime rib seasoning, optional

1/4 cup ketchup

Place all the ingredients in a medium size bowl and mix lightly with your hands just until blended. Do not over mix as this will toughen the meatloaf. Now place the meat in a 5" x 9" loaf pan and shape into a loaf. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 minutes. To serve, remove loaf from pan and place on a serving plate. Let meat rest for 10 minutes, covered to keep warm.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

117 calories per slice

Tip: This recipe can easily be doubled.

Banana Nut Bread

I have updated my "older" banana bread recipe to make it a little healthier for breakfast or snacking. Try it and see what you think!
Blessings...

Recipe:

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup wheat bran

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar (not packed)

3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1-1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas

1/4 cup 1% milk

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 egg

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup ground pecans, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of loaf pan, 9 x 5 x 3 inches, or 2 loaf pans, 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches.

2. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl; beat 15 seconds, scrape sides of bowl down with a spatula and beat another 15 seconds until mixed thoroughly. Do not over mix.

3. Pour into pan. Bake until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 9-inch loaf 60 - 70 minutes, 8-inch loaves 50 - 60 minutes.

4. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely before slicing.

5. Store tightly covered at room temperature for 3 - 4 days, or freeze for longer period of time.

Yield: 14 slices per 9" loaf
165 calories per slice without nuts, 222 calories per slice with nuts.

Tip: Over-ripe bananas have the best flavor and are easily mashed with a fork. Also, if you don't have the lemon juice and zest, just use one more tablespoon of milk, it works great.

Quick Hamburger Soup

I have seen many variations of this soup, in fact, my mom has made her version for as long as I can remember. I love my version because it is very fast and easy to make on the busiest of days. Blessings...

Recipe:

1 lb. 4% ground beef

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon basil

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1 envelope dry onion soup mix (from a 2 oz. package)

7 cups water

1 8-oz. can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 cup thinly sliced celery

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

1 cup elbow macaroni

1. Brown meat in a large soup pot.

2. Add spices, soup mix, water, tomato sauce and soy sauce.

3. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.

4. Add celery and frozen vegetables. Bring soup back to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for another 15 minutes or until veggies are fork tender.

5. Add elbow macaroni and simmer for 4-5 minutes or until macaroni is tender but firm. Do not overcook as macaroni will fall a part.

Yield: 10-1/2 cups
132 calories per cup.

Tip: When using dried herbs, if you will rub them between your fingers as you add them to the pot, the flavor is released and makes a much better tasting dish.

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

A "quick" bread is so nice to bake because of the ease and simplicity of not needing yeast. This one is great for breakfast with fruit and tea, and the extra loaf freezes beautifully for future needs. Blessings...

Recipe:

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2-1/2 cups sugar, divided

2 cups low-fat buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.

2. In a small bowl, combine oil and 1-1/2 cups of the sugar.

3. Add buttermilk and eggs to the oil and sugar mixture; mix well.

4. Stir this mixture into the dry ingredients just until moistened.

5. Fill two greased 8" x 4" loaf pans about one-third full.

6. Combine the cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle half over the batter.

7. Top with remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.

8. Swirl batter with a knife and sprinkle 1 tablespoon nuts over each loaf.

9. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

10. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Tip: For ease in removing the bread from the pans, run a bread and butter knife around the perimeter of the pan to loosen, then using a spatula, lift the bread up from the bottom of the pan. Carefully turn the bread out onto the rack to cool completely. Place unused loaf in a freezer bag for storage in the freezer.