Meatloaf with a Sweet Side and Mini Meatloaf Sweet Sandwiches

So I felt like treating my love to his favorite meal, Meatloaf. We have recently discovered this meatloaf that has a sweet sauce you make for it. It makes the meatloaf heavenly and excites your taste buds. :) We also love to make sandwiches with our leftover meatloaf. I recommend it to anyone who wants to jazz up their meatloaf.  You can serve meatloaf with any kinda of vegetables.

Meatloaf with a Sweet Side Recipe


Ingredients:

1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 large egg
2/3 cup milk
3 Tablespoons catsup
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon yellow mustard

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.

2. Mix the onion soup mix, ground beef, egg and milk together.

3. Form the combination into a well packed loaf shape in a 13 X 9 X 2 loaf pan.

4. Combine the rest of the ingredients and spoon onto the top of the meatloaf.

5. Bake uncovered, for about an hour. When done, take the meatloaf out of the pan and place on a serving plate. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Meat loaf Sweet Mini Sandwiches:

What you need is any type of bread. Loaf or Rolls
We used Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

A piece or meatloaf or cut a piece of meatloaf into sections to fit the rolls (like we did)

Before you cut the meatloaf spread the pizza sauce and put a piece of provolone cheese on it.

Put in microwave to heat up meatloaf and melt the cheese

If you want to cut the meatloaf for the rolls then do so, if not just put in on the loaf bread. And now you have a meatloaf sandwich! :D

Hearty Noodle Casserole

Yay! I made something new! This was delicious! I served it to my parents and grandparents tonight. It took two casserole dishes though. I have one full one left. Whew! What I like about this recipe is it has bunch of veggies in it. I added mushrooms, green  bell pepper, and tomatoes. I also put beef in the recipe instead of Italian Sausage because I hate Italian Sausage. haha Okay on to the recipe! Make sure to have a large bowl! Serve with a Salad and Italian or French Bread.

Hearty Noodle Casserole
1 pound Italian Sausage, Casting Removed or Ground Beef
1 Jar (26 1/2 ounces) pasta sauce (I used the 2lb 13oz size jar)
2 cups (16 ounces) ricotta or cottage cheese)
1 package (12 ounces) extra wide egg noodles, cooked and drained
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mozzarella Cheese, Divided  (I used Italian Blend Cheese)
1 can (4 ounces) sliced mushrooms (Drain the liquid out of the can)
1 can chopped tomatoes (Drain the liquid out of the can)
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
 Chopped Fresh Basil

1.Preheat Oven to 350 F. Cook Sausage or beef in large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring to break up meat, until cooked through. Drain Fat.

2. Combine sausage or beef, pasta sauce, ricotta cheese,  cooked noodles, half of mozzarella cheese or Italian Blend, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, and chopped bell pepper in a large bowl. Spoon into 3-quart or 13x9 inch baked pan. Top with leftover remaining mozzarella or Italian blend cheese.

3. Bake, uncovered, about 25 mins or until heated through. Garnish with Basil.

Serving size 4 to 6.

Baked Ziti for the future in-laws.

I apologize that I haven't updated in a while just haven't been cooking much.  Anyway I finally cooked for my boyfriends parents. I decided on Baked Ziti since I have seem to have master it. Jeremy's mother was so happy she didn't have to cook and was thrilled that I did. They all seem to love the Ziti. I was glad they did! I always change up the sauce flavor each time. Has anyone else tried making Baked Ziti?

 Here is me at the grocery store shopping for the ingredients!

Baked Spaghetti for Asuka!

I made Baked Spaghetti again for my best friend Asuka. It was a late birthday dinner from me to her. I think by me altering the recipe to my liking made the baked spaghetti so much better this time. I am disappointed I have half left. Anyone want any baked spaghetti? haha I make way too much apparently and always have leftovers. If you are going to make Baked Spaghetti then I recommend you get the biggest jar of pasta sauce you can find. I used Ragu and used it all! I like mine saucy. :D The recipe has so many calories though. 576! Did you know you should only eat 400 calories each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). I had no idea. But I really want to try it. Also you are suppose to have something with Olive Oil in it each day. All my dinners have Olive oil in them. I also use an Olive oil facial cleanser. lol Yeah but you are suppose to have your daily dose of Mufa's (Moo-fah) to be or stay skinny. Also you need to exercise!! And it makes sense. Here is a link explaining it and showing you how to use Mufa. http://www.ehow.com/way_5318448_mufa-diet-plan.html

and

http://www.mufamagic.com/weight-loss/mufa_details.php










What do you think about me doing some videos of me cooking? Would you all watch them? :) The blog entry is just me blabbing sorry about that. xD

Step By Step Baked Ziti

I have made Baked Ziti so much that I decided to walk you through each step. (With Pictures) Just so you know I used what pasta I had.

Ok here I go!

Step 1: Boil the water for the pasta! I put a little Olive Oil and Salt in my water before boiling. Put in the Rotini in a bowl for now you will need the bowl later to mix in the sauce. 

Step 2: After the water has boiled add the Rotini wait for reboil then turn on low for 9 mins. 

Step 3: While the pasta is boiling make the ricotta cheese spread for the Ziti. In a bowl You Need 2 eggs beaten, 1 half container of ricotta cheese if you are making this smaller then my original recipe. And 1/4 cup Parmesan. Mix together and set aside. 

Step 4:  When Pasta has cooked for 9 mins then drain the pasta. Once it is drain add it back to the empty bowl you had set out for it before. 

Step 5:  Preheat Oven to 350F.Add the pasta sauce and some Olive Oil. 1 Jar Chunky Pasta Sauce 1 pound and 10 ounces. I would actually get the biggest you can find and put in as much sauce you want. I like mine really saucy. I used a little more than half of one of the big jars. Put whatever you have left of the pasta sauce in the fridge. 

Step 6: Spoon some of the pasta in the bottom of the casserole dish. Then add the Ricotta mixture on top of the bottom layer. 

Step 7: Add the rest of the pasta and then top that with Shredded Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan. After that put it in the oven for 30 mins and then it is done! 

The finished product! 

Vacation over! Time to get back to cooking.

So I officially took a week off from cooking. Had a very nice time in Myrtle Beach. Meet the Cake Boss and got sunburned. Photos are on my Facebook.

I am going to start back cooking this week. Not sure what but I will let you all know tomorrow. :) I am off to bed. Good Night everyone!

Take a week off? Maybe not...

So I cooked the Ziti for the Baker side of the Family tonight. It was a much smaller Ziti then my original posted up here. So I just cut the recipe in half.  I think everyone like it. :) I still have some leftovers! I know what I am eating for lunch tomorrow.

So I am thinking I will take the week off from cooking. I am going out of town to Murrells Inlet, SC and Myrtle Beach this weekend. I am leaving Friday night. I am thinking I want to save my cash for the trip. The reason I am going is to get a chance to meet Buddy Valastro at Mayfest. If you don't know who Buddy is then he is the Cake Boss. He makes the most AMAZING cakes. Here is the link to his site http://www.carlosbakery.com/
and
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/cake-boss/cake-boss.html

The most awesome part is that he is going to make a flip flop cake for the fest and hopefully we get to eat some! My plan is to get a photo with him. :)

So I may or may not cook. Just keep checking back. I actually may cook for Jeremy's Grandma and Mom this weekend. :) I really want too. Just need to figure out what. Hrm..I will decide early this week and let you all know. <3 you all!

What to do when you have leftover cooked penne pasta

MAKE BAKED ZITI! So I have way to much cooked pasta leftover from the Ratatouille. I am just going to get a few ingredients from the Grocery Store. I will serve baked Ziti and leftover Ratatouille for the Mother's Day Feast tomorrow. :D  I will post pics tomorrow.  I will not post any recipes since they have been posted before. But I'll post the review. Also if you want to find a certain blog entry then just look under the Archives for each month. :)

I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day!

:D The Very Delightful Ratatouille! Not made with a real rat.

THIS WAS SO AMAZING! Everyone loved it. I loved it! It's so healthy too. :) And I have been losing weight because of my cooking. This was so delicious! If you can get past to cutting of the veggies it is so worth making. I will defiantly will cook this again. I made this for 6 people so I doubled anything. It was very nice to just putting everything in the crock pot and let it cook on low and not have to do anything else but cook the pasta and bread. We served this with a zinfandel wine and ciabatta bread.

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup (Reg or healthy request)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 5 cups)
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 medium red pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
1 Large onion, sliced (about 1 cup) (We used a diced onion)
1 clove garlic, minced (use a garlic press)
Penne pasta cook and drained
grated Parmesan cheese

1. Stir soup, olive oil, black pepper, eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, onion and garlic in 4 to 5 1/2 quart slow cooker.

2. cover and cook on low 5 1/2 to 6 hours* or until vegetables are tender.

3. Serve over pasta with cheese

Makes 4 servings

came from the cookbook cooking for less pasta

What is next for this chef

I will be making Ratatouille Thursday for my boyfriend and family. I am very nervous about this one. It seems simple because it requires a slow cooker. But I have to cut all these vegetables and mince garlic with this garlic presser. I am just so like worried I will screw it up! But I haven't screwed up a recipe yet. *Knock on wood* I really hope I didn't just jinx myself. I will do my best. :) One day when I feel comfortable enough I want to throw a dinner party for my friends. I think I will need to maybe serve wine with my Ratatouille. What is a good wine?

Christina's Cooking Stir-Fry Soup (With a lot of help from Jeremy)

I thought this was the easiest and fastest thing that I have ever made. It only took 22 mins or maybe even less. I also had a lot of help from my boyfriend Jeremy. He did most of the work. But he needs to learn how to cook too! It was so delicious. We have a lot left over because we just ate it. We had some sourdough bread with it and it was just delightful. :) 

1 Beef for Stir Frying (Meat Section) about 1 pound
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
3 cans (about 14 ounces each) beef broth
1 package (16 ounces) frozen stir-fry vegetables
1/4 cup stir-fry sauce
We also added some ginger teriyaki

1. Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-hight heat; tilt pan to coat bottom. Add half of beef in single layer. Cook 1 min, without stirring, until lightly browned on bottom. Turn cook other side and 1 min. Remove beef from pan. Repeat with remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil and beef; set aside.

2. Add broth to saucepan. Cover; bring to boil over high heat. Add vegetables. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 mins or until vegetables are heated through. Add beef, stir-fry sauce; simmer 1 min.

Makes 6 servings




This came from the cookbook Simple 1-2-3 One Dish. 

How to mince garlic with using a clove

I got this tip off of www.ehow.com. I need to learn how to do this since the recipe for Ratatouille calls for it. I may go look for a mincer. It seems the best way. :)

Although potent, garlic is one of the most singular spices and uber important when called for in a recipe. Fresh garlic is always your best option, but how do you get it out of that funny-looking clove?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   
   
   Step 1
   Break off one section. Press hard pushing sideways. The first one is the hardest.
   
2. 
   
   
   Step 2
   Lay the wedge flat on a hard surface (counter-top or cutting board).
   
3. 
   
   
   Step 3
   
   
   
    
   Press down with your thumb on the side of the wedge until the outer waxy casing begins to crack.
   
4. 
   
   
   Step 4
   
   
   
    
   Peel off casing. Be sure to get it all; there are usually many layers.
   
5. 
   
   
   Step 5
   
   
   
    
   Place in mincer.
   
6. 
   
   
   Step 6
   
   
   
    
   Crank handle to press the garlic through.
   
7. 
   
   
   Step 7
   
   
   
    
   Scrape off with a knife.
   
8. 
   
   
   Step 8
   Repeat steps 6 and 7 until entire garlic wedge had been minced.
   
9. 
   
   
   Step 9
   
   
   
    
   If you do not have a mincer, cut wedge as finely as possible. Then press down with the flat side of the knife to release the juices.

What I will be cooking this week

I will be making the stir-fry soup tomorrow since I have leftover ingredients from making the stir-fry. I also will be making sometime this week Ratatoulie. So check back tomorrow and later this week! <3 you all!

Guestbook!

 I would love to know who visits my blog and what you think of it! :D Please Write in my guestbook at least once. It is located at the end of the blog and says view guestbook under the site counter. So leave a message. :D  Also if you want to share my blog on Facebook I have a button for that on the side of the page. You can also email my entries. So share my blog with people! I love you all!

New music added

I added some music to go with my Asian food that I have made and will be making. Music is from Jackie Chan, Kill Bill movie and Memoirs of a Geisha movie. :D Enjoy!

Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry

I ended up changing this recipe a lot. haha I had to double everything because I had to serve 6 people. The first recipe came from the cookbook and the second one is my version. If you only want to make 4 servings then you can just add in the crinkle cut carrots, broccoli, stir-fry corn along with the green beans. Everyone liked it! Feel free to make it your own. :D


Cookbook version

1 Cup uncooked rice
1 boneless beef top sirloin steak (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
2 cups frozen green beans, rinsed and drained

1. Cook rice according to package directions. Keep Warm. Cut beef lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/8 inch slices. Combine beef and 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in large skillet or wok over med high heat. Add onion; stir-fry 3 to 4 mins or until crisp-tender. Remove from skillet to another medium bowl. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in skillet. Stir-fry green beans 3 mins or until crisp-tender and heated through. Drain excess liquid. Add beans to onion bowl.

3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet. Drain beef, discarding marinade. Stir-fry half of beef 2 mins or until barely pink in center. Add to vegetables. Repeat with remaining beef. Return beef mixture to skillet. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce; cook and stir 1 min or until heated through. Serve with rice.

Makes 4 servings

MY version 

2 Cup uncooked rice (We got long grain rice)
2 boneless beef top sirloin steak (about 1 pound) OR Beef for Stir Frying (Meat Section)
1 cup teriyaki sauce, divided (We used Kikkoman Less Sodium Teriyaki)
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 medium onion, halved and sliced (We just bought some diced up onion)
1 cups frozen green beans, rinsed and drained
1 cups frozen crinkle cut carrots
1 cups broccoli
1 can of stir fry corn

1. Cook rice according to package directions. Keep Warm. Cut beef lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/8 inch slices (ONLY if you use boneless beef top sirloin steak) The stir frying meat is already cut for you. Combine beef and 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Heat 3 teaspoons oil in large skillet or wok over med high heat. Add onion; stir-fry 3 to 4 mins or until crisp-tender. Remove from skillet to another medium bowl. Heat 3 teaspoons oil in skillet. Stir-fry green beans, carrots, broccoli, and stir fry corn 3 mins or until crisp-tender and heated through. Drain excess liquid. Add beans, carrots, broccoli and stir fry to onion bowl.

3. Heat remaining 2 tablespoon oil in skillet. Drain beef, discarding marinade. Stir-fry half of beef 2 mins or until barely pink in center. Add to vegetables. Repeat with remaining beef. Return beef mixture to skillet. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (we just finished up the last bit of the bottle); cook and stir 1 min or until heated through. Serve with rice. 


Makes 8 servings


This recipe came from Simple 1-2-3 One Dish

And the Winner is..

*drum roll* Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry!!!

I will be cooking this tonight for my family. I am going to alter the recipe to my liking. I will post both the original and my version recipe. They will be up tonight or tomorrow!

Few more hours till the Poll is over!

It looks like the choices will either be Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry or Beef and Broccoli. What do you guys think? :D