This is the EASIEST recipe ever!
1 box spice or carrot cake mix
1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optl.)
Bake at 325 degrees.
Cookies - 10-15 minutes (they end up cake-like). I frost mine with Cream cheese frosting. You could also add choc. chips if you want to.
Muffins - 25 minutes. I love to bake these in the fall to go with soups.
Did I mention these make your house smell wonderfully Fall-like!
Fred's State Fair Salsa
We call it this because I was at the State Fair one day and came home to Fred making this. Kind of random! It's so easy and it has a good flavor.
12 tomatoes
1 onion
4 cloves of garlic (NOT full bulbs)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin
3 Tb lime juice
1 Jalepeno pepper (add more if you like it hot!)
I'll break this down as simple as I can.
Cut tomatoes in half, run thumb through them getting rid of most of the seeds. Put them face down in a 9x13 cake pan. Cut the onion into quarters, place on top of tomatoes. Add the garlic cloves and as many jalepeno peppers as you'd like. Spray with some cooking spray (easier than drizzling oil). Put in the broiler for 10 minutes.
Then, we use our food processor to do the dicing for us. **Note the plastic baggy turned inside out, then put on top of the hole. Lucky for me, Fred found ways to not make my kitchen as messy while making this. The baggy stops the juice from going down the hole, all over the processor and all over the counter. (Remember to remove it before putting the lid on - though I left it on this last time and nothing happened. Perhaps our blade needs to be sharpened!)
I usually throw the cilantro in, then spoon the charred tomatoes, garlic, onion and peppers in - so I don't have to chop it by hand.
Blend to the consistency you like.
Then add the cumin and lime juice.
Mix throughly. I usually make a few batches at once and dumb everything into a large bowl.
12 tomatoes
1 onion
4 cloves of garlic (NOT full bulbs)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin
3 Tb lime juice
1 Jalepeno pepper (add more if you like it hot!)
I'll break this down as simple as I can.
Cut tomatoes in half, run thumb through them getting rid of most of the seeds. Put them face down in a 9x13 cake pan. Cut the onion into quarters, place on top of tomatoes. Add the garlic cloves and as many jalepeno peppers as you'd like. Spray with some cooking spray (easier than drizzling oil). Put in the broiler for 10 minutes.
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| Ta da! |
I usually throw the cilantro in, then spoon the charred tomatoes, garlic, onion and peppers in - so I don't have to chop it by hand.
Blend to the consistency you like.
Then add the cumin and lime juice.
Mix throughly. I usually make a few batches at once and dumb everything into a large bowl.
We bottle ours and water bath process them for 15 minutes.
Balsamic Chicken (Bruschetta Chicken)
I used to hate tomatoes. I'm still pretty picky, but I've come up with this recipe that I actually like with fresh tomatoes.
Marinate 4 chicken breasts in balsamic vinagrette for 2 hours (or less).
Cook on the stovetop in a deep skillet until thoroughly cooked.
While the chicken is cooking, combine:
6 cups of Roma tomatoes, diced
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
2 Tb olive oil
1/4 cup red onion, diced
Top the cooked chicken with tomato mixture and moz. cheese until tomatoes are heated and cheese is melted.
Marinate 4 chicken breasts in balsamic vinagrette for 2 hours (or less).
Cook on the stovetop in a deep skillet until thoroughly cooked.
While the chicken is cooking, combine:
6 cups of Roma tomatoes, diced
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
2 Tb olive oil
1/4 cup red onion, diced
Top the cooked chicken with tomato mixture and moz. cheese until tomatoes are heated and cheese is melted.
Taco Pie
2 pie crusts
1 lb hamburger
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can refried beans
2 cups shredded cheese
salsa
*Roll out pie crust into two - 9" pie plates. Prick with a fork and bake at 425 for 10 minutes.
*Spread refried beans across bottom of pie (if you heat them for 1-2 minutes in the microwave they'll spread easier).
*Brown hamburger and mix in taco seasoning. Spread on top of beans.
* Dob sour cream across top of meat.
*Top with cheese & salsa. (I used a mild salsa and it just gave it a nice tomato and onion flavor.)
Bake in oven for 12-15 minutes.
1 lb hamburger
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can refried beans
2 cups shredded cheese
salsa
*Roll out pie crust into two - 9" pie plates. Prick with a fork and bake at 425 for 10 minutes.
*Spread refried beans across bottom of pie (if you heat them for 1-2 minutes in the microwave they'll spread easier).
*Brown hamburger and mix in taco seasoning. Spread on top of beans.
* Dob sour cream across top of meat.
*Top with cheese & salsa. (I used a mild salsa and it just gave it a nice tomato and onion flavor.)
Bake in oven for 12-15 minutes.
Shortcakes (from diabetic cook book)
I've been trying some recipes from a diabetic cook book - just to be healthier and I've found a few good ones. This was an excellent dessert!
(They want you to drain the yogurt through a sieve for 30 minutes, I didn't, the sauce is just a little runny, but not bad.)
2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 1/2 Tb sugar
Cut in 1/2 cub butter until mixture is crumbly.
Add 2 tsp vanilla
1 cup yogurt (any flavor to match your fruit)
Mix until dry ingredients are wet. Knead on a floured surface 8X.
Roll 1/2 inch thick & cut into circles 2 1/2 -3 " ( I used a wide mouth jar lid)
Bake 425 for 12 minutes.
Fruit:
4 cups fruit (I used peaches and strawberries)
2 tsp sugar
Topping:
2 cups yogurt
2 Tb sugar
3 Tb jam (not sure you really need this)
Cut biscut in half, bottom layer, fruit, topping, top of biscuit.
(They want you to drain the yogurt through a sieve for 30 minutes, I didn't, the sauce is just a little runny, but not bad.)
2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 1/2 Tb sugar
Cut in 1/2 cub butter until mixture is crumbly.
Add 2 tsp vanilla
1 cup yogurt (any flavor to match your fruit)
Mix until dry ingredients are wet. Knead on a floured surface 8X.
Roll 1/2 inch thick & cut into circles 2 1/2 -3 " ( I used a wide mouth jar lid)
Bake 425 for 12 minutes.
Fruit:
4 cups fruit (I used peaches and strawberries)
2 tsp sugar
Topping:
2 cups yogurt
2 Tb sugar
3 Tb jam (not sure you really need this)
Cut biscut in half, bottom layer, fruit, topping, top of biscuit.
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| (Picture from the book) |
Orange Rice
This sounded like it could be too strong of a flavor, but it turned out great with the Almond crusted Tilapia.
Definitely a keeper for serving with any kind of fish!
2 cups orange juice
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups rice
After the rice is cooked (I used a rice cooker), mix in 1 can (drained) of mandarin oranges and serve.
Definitely a keeper for serving with any kind of fish!
2 cups orange juice
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups rice
After the rice is cooked (I used a rice cooker), mix in 1 can (drained) of mandarin oranges and serve.
Almond Crusted Tilapia
Easy, Delicious, and healthy!
8 Tilapia Fillets
1/4 cup flour - dust each fillet
2 eggs & 1/4 cup water - dip each floured fillet in egg mixture
Cover fillets in almond mixture:
1 cup ground almonds (I put mine in a food processor)
1 cup parmesan Cheese
1 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp garlic pepper
Place on baking sheet (covered with Tinfoil) bake for 30 minutes @ 375.
You can top with additional freshly grated parmesan cheese. Remember the lemon garnish!
8 Tilapia Fillets
1/4 cup flour - dust each fillet
2 eggs & 1/4 cup water - dip each floured fillet in egg mixture
Cover fillets in almond mixture:
1 cup ground almonds (I put mine in a food processor)
1 cup parmesan Cheese
1 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp garlic pepper
Place on baking sheet (covered with Tinfoil) bake for 30 minutes @ 375.
You can top with additional freshly grated parmesan cheese. Remember the lemon garnish!
Fiesta- Cactus
I wanted a backdrop to take pictures at our daddy-daughter Fiesta. I found a tan sheet at Savers then looked around for some cactus to add. Styrofoam is ridiculously expensive for this project. My brilliant sister suggested SWIM NOODLES! ($7 at walmart for 1 big & 1 little) Supplies:
2 green swim noodles
black spray paint
duct tape
2 hangers
50-100 toothpicks
When we started putting them together the hangers we used to shape them kept poking through. My genius husband suggested doubling the hanger (not sure why this works, but it does!). We also put duct tape along the hangers then put them in the noodles and bent them to shape.
I left a little hanger showing so that it would stick into the base. I had to shape the ends a little so they'd wrap around the base, then used hot glue to keep them in place. For cutting the noodles, just a regular bread knife worked.
Finally, I spray painted toothpicks black.
*Note- the paint blows the toothpicks all over the place. After the fact, my husband suggested putting the toothpick tips along a piece of tape and taping them to the newspaper.
We used full toothpicks along the base and cut the toothpicks in half for the "arms". We only put toothpicks on one side. It was a great suggestion by my sister because it made them easier to transport.
Fun Fiesta prop- but it's a dangerously prickly weapon!
Cheeseburger rice----Easy!
I love this recipe because it takes about 15 minutes and it's a good fix when you're craving a hamburger!
1 lb ground hamburger
1 chopped onion
Brown together until done.
Add:
1 Tb prepared mustard
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup ketchup
Salt & Pepper
Bring to a boil.
Add 1 1/2 cups instant rice (uncooked).
Take off heat, cover, let sit for 5 minutes.
Fluff with a fork, add:
1 cup Cheese (cheddar or mozarella), cover again until melted. (Sometimes I put it back on the burner for a minute or two.)
That's it, your done! Easy!
1 lb ground hamburger
1 chopped onion
Brown together until done.
Add:
1 Tb prepared mustard
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup ketchup
Salt & Pepper
Bring to a boil.
Add 1 1/2 cups instant rice (uncooked).
Take off heat, cover, let sit for 5 minutes.
Fluff with a fork, add:
1 cup Cheese (cheddar or mozarella), cover again until melted. (Sometimes I put it back on the burner for a minute or two.)
That's it, your done! Easy!
Beef Tip Gravy
I'm always looking for recipes to use Stew meat in. This recipe called for 90 mins of simmering, I did simmered about 10-15 mins on the stove and the meat turned out great. (A steak texture rather than falling apart stew meat.) So, take your pick according to how much time you have. If I were to actually simmer the 90 mins. I'd change this to a crockpot recipe and let it sit at low for a few hours.
1/2 onion chopped
1 pound cubed beef stew meat
2 Tb oil
Cook about 3-5 minutes, until meat is browned and oinions are translucent.
2 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
Bring to a boil and simmer. (90 mins= stew meat, 10-15 mins = steak)
Combine :
1 cup water & 1 packet dry brown gravy mix.
Add into the meat mixture. Bring to a boil until slightly thickened.
I served it over potatoes that had been cubed, boiled, and slightly mashed with a fork.
Great hometown meal!
1/2 onion chopped
1 pound cubed beef stew meat
2 Tb oil
Cook about 3-5 minutes, until meat is browned and oinions are translucent.
2 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
Bring to a boil and simmer. (90 mins= stew meat, 10-15 mins = steak)
Combine :
1 cup water & 1 packet dry brown gravy mix.
Add into the meat mixture. Bring to a boil until slightly thickened.
I served it over potatoes that had been cubed, boiled, and slightly mashed with a fork.
Great hometown meal!
Acorn Squash w/ craisins & apples
1 Acorn squash
1 apple (yellow or red)
1/2 tsp orange rind
1/4 cup craisins
2 Tb butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
Cut squash and clean out seeds. Fill center with diced apple and craisins.
Sprinkle orange rind and brown sugar, including on top edge. Drizzle melted butter and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
1 apple (yellow or red)
1/2 tsp orange rind
1/4 cup craisins
2 Tb butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
Cut squash and clean out seeds. Fill center with diced apple and craisins.
Sprinkle orange rind and brown sugar, including on top edge. Drizzle melted butter and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
BBQ Chicken Pizza (French Bread)
I found a new bread at Walmart - the Italian Loaf. It's shorter and wider than a regular loaf of French bread and worked perfect for this.
1 Italian Loaf
2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup red onion
BBQ sauce
2 cups Mozarella cheese
2 chicken breasts. Sliced thin - about the size of a domino.
Cook chicken and towards the end add 1/4 cup of diced red onion. Cook together just long enough to soften the onion a little.
Cut Italian Loaf in half (top and bottom). Spread chicken and onion across.
Drizzle your favorite BBQ sauce over - don't get it too thick.
Top with Mozarella cheese and bake in the oven at 375 for about 10 minutes.
I'm positive it's healthier than regular pizza!
1 Italian Loaf
2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup red onion
BBQ sauce
2 cups Mozarella cheese
2 chicken breasts. Sliced thin - about the size of a domino.
Cook chicken and towards the end add 1/4 cup of diced red onion. Cook together just long enough to soften the onion a little.
Cut Italian Loaf in half (top and bottom). Spread chicken and onion across.
Drizzle your favorite BBQ sauce over - don't get it too thick.
Top with Mozarella cheese and bake in the oven at 375 for about 10 minutes.
I'm positive it's healthier than regular pizza!
Chicken Stirfry
2 chicken breasts, diced and cooked
Veggies of your choice. Cook with 1/2 cup water, covver and steam.
I used:
Broccoli, Zuchinni, Carrots, & Green peppers
Sauce:
2 TB Cornstarch
3 Tb Brown sugar
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup Karo syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce (or less)
2 TB white vinegar
1 TB sesame oil
1 Tb rice vinegar
3/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp garlic
Boil for 1 minute, plus 1-2 more to thicken. Pour over ckn & veggies and serve over rice.
PS. If you've never cooked with sesame oil..... get some! I love the smell and it really adds a lot of flavor.
Veggies of your choice. Cook with 1/2 cup water, covver and steam.
I used:
Broccoli, Zuchinni, Carrots, & Green peppers
Sauce:
2 TB Cornstarch
3 Tb Brown sugar
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup Karo syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce (or less)
2 TB white vinegar
1 TB sesame oil
1 Tb rice vinegar
3/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp garlic
Boil for 1 minute, plus 1-2 more to thicken. Pour over ckn & veggies and serve over rice.
PS. If you've never cooked with sesame oil..... get some! I love the smell and it really adds a lot of flavor.
White Chicken Chili
With snow storms approaching, it's time for a good winter dish!
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 Tb oil
Cook until tender.
4 cups chicken broth
2 cans (white, pinto, or northern) beans (not rinsed helps it thicken)
2 Tb fresh cilantro or parsley
1 Tb lime juice
1 tsp cumin
Bring to a boil and simmer 10 mins.
2 Tb cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Mix until smooth and stir into chili.
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
Bring to a boil, cook & stir 2 minutes or until thickend.
I also added 1/2 tsp coriander & 1 tsp chili powder.
I never really got it to thicken, but it has a good flavor served with some wheat toast! One bowl will fill you up!
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 Tb oil
Cook until tender.
4 cups chicken broth
2 cans (white, pinto, or northern) beans (not rinsed helps it thicken)
2 Tb fresh cilantro or parsley
1 Tb lime juice
1 tsp cumin
Bring to a boil and simmer 10 mins.
2 Tb cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Mix until smooth and stir into chili.
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
Bring to a boil, cook & stir 2 minutes or until thickend.
I also added 1/2 tsp coriander & 1 tsp chili powder.
I never really got it to thicken, but it has a good flavor served with some wheat toast! One bowl will fill you up!
Apple Porkchops (w/ overnight marinade)
This is more of a fall recipe, so I'll give you 2 ways to do this...
Overnight, Marinade porkchops in 2:1 Applejuice to Soy sauce (this combines the Sweet & salty & keeps the porkchops moist.) Sometimes I'll just marinade for 2 hours.
Cook porkchops in skillet for 5-6 minutes.
1) The healthier way: cook porkchops and top with a bottle of apple pie filling.
2) The fresh apple, caramel way: cook porkchops, then
In a small bowl combine:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
8 Tbls. melted butter
2 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
Add mixture to skillet with porkchops. Cover and cook until apples are barely tender.
The recipe says to remove the apples and porkchops and thicken the sauce, but I just go ahead and serve it, making sure to spoon sauce over.
This is actually pretty filling just the porkchop and apples, so pick something light to serve with it!
Overnight, Marinade porkchops in 2:1 Applejuice to Soy sauce (this combines the Sweet & salty & keeps the porkchops moist.) Sometimes I'll just marinade for 2 hours.
Cook porkchops in skillet for 5-6 minutes.
1) The healthier way: cook porkchops and top with a bottle of apple pie filling.
2) The fresh apple, caramel way: cook porkchops, then
In a small bowl combine:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
8 Tbls. melted butter
2 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
Add mixture to skillet with porkchops. Cover and cook until apples are barely tender.
The recipe says to remove the apples and porkchops and thicken the sauce, but I just go ahead and serve it, making sure to spoon sauce over.
This is actually pretty filling just the porkchop and apples, so pick something light to serve with it!
Tangy Peach Chicken
I know the flavors together sound questionable, but it turns out great!
One of the easiest recipes ever!
Grill, bake, broil, however you want to cook 4 chicken breasts.
2 cups salsa & 2 cups jam (I use Nectarine or peach- and one day I promise to post my husband's salsa recipe. For now, use whatever brand you like.)
Mix the salsa & jam and pour over chicken. Heat throughly.
I served it over bowtie pasta and just let the sauce flavor the pasta a little.
One of the easiest recipes ever!
Grill, bake, broil, however you want to cook 4 chicken breasts.
2 cups salsa & 2 cups jam (I use Nectarine or peach- and one day I promise to post my husband's salsa recipe. For now, use whatever brand you like.)
Mix the salsa & jam and pour over chicken. Heat throughly.
I served it over bowtie pasta and just let the sauce flavor the pasta a little.
Potato Bar w/ cheese sauce
Definitely a comfort food in our house!
4 Baked potatoes
1 cup diced ham (I like to cook it a little)
2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
Diced onion
Top with Cheese Sauce:
4 TB butter melted
4 TB flour
Whisk until smooth.
Add 2 tsp Chicken bullion granules
Add 2 cups milk.
Microwave 1-2 minutes at a time, stirring often to keep it smooth.
* Make sure you use a big enough bowl, if you're not watching it will boil over.
When thickened, add:
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
I usually serve it with some slices of French Bread.
4 Baked potatoes
1 cup diced ham (I like to cook it a little)
2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
Diced onion
Top with Cheese Sauce:
4 TB butter melted
4 TB flour
Whisk until smooth.
Add 2 tsp Chicken bullion granules
Add 2 cups milk.
Microwave 1-2 minutes at a time, stirring often to keep it smooth.
* Make sure you use a big enough bowl, if you're not watching it will boil over.
When thickened, add:
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
I usually serve it with some slices of French Bread.
Ribbon Boards
Supplies:
* 12 Tacks (plus extra - if they bend easily)
* 4 pieces of ribbon 20" long
* 4 pieces of ribbon 10" long
* 1 piece of plywood - 12"X16" (We used 3/8" thick- because it was cheap)
* batting to put on top of the wood
* Material to cover board around to the back
* Staple gun (faster than waiting for the glue to dry)
* Hot glue
* Hammers (to get the tacks in flat)
These boards were great for our 8-11 year old girls to make at Activity Days.
We were able to get 24 boards out of a sheet of plywood ($12). I cut batting to fit the top of the boards. We used scrap material that we collected from neighborhood quilters. The girls loved picking out their own fabric & ribbons. Plain material works best and they can add color by varying their ribbons. Put the material on and pull the edges to the back and staple in place. Cut ribbon- we even used Ric-rac and I love how it looks! Lay out ribbon and tack ($8) where the ribbon crosses each other. Use hammers to get them in all the way. Hot glue the ribbon ends to the back of the board. We plan to use these for the girls to have a place to put handouts throughout the year.
(Total cost: $20 for 24 boards - but we had the batting, material, and ribbon donated.)
Tips:
* Buy extra thumb tacks- we bent a TON!
* Buy the tacks from an office supply store - the cheap ones at All-a-dollar wouldn't even go in.
**** Test the boards - there is one side that is easier to push the pins into - MARK IT so you can put the fabric on correctly and won't bend as many tacks.
* If you can't find sturdy enough tacks, you can buy really thin cork board to place on top of the wood (found at office supply stores & craft stores)- I found the tacks went in a lot easier, however, it's expensive! At each office supply store I would ask if the tacks would go into plywood. At both stores I was told if they didn't, I could just keep the packaging and my receipt and return them.
* Lay ribbon out before tacking so you're sure the ribbon ends will reach the back.
* We did this as a First activity of the year -kick-off and had the parents attend - it was nice to have the extra help getting the tacks in.
Chicken Popovers
1 tube of crescent rolls
1 cup chopped chicken, cooked
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1 Tb onion
4 oz. cream cheese
Mix chicken, lemon pepper, onion & cream cheese. Put a little scoop (1TB) in each crescent roll. Fold over dough and seal. Bake @ 375 for 15-20 minutes.
Chicken Gravy:
2 cups water & 2 tsp chicken bullion - bring to a boil.
Add 1 can of cream of chicken soup. Mix until smooth.
(The gravy seemed runny and kind of odd but tasted pretty good with the popovers.)
1 cup chopped chicken, cooked
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1 Tb onion
4 oz. cream cheese
Mix chicken, lemon pepper, onion & cream cheese. Put a little scoop (1TB) in each crescent roll. Fold over dough and seal. Bake @ 375 for 15-20 minutes.
Chicken Gravy:
2 cups water & 2 tsp chicken bullion - bring to a boil.
Add 1 can of cream of chicken soup. Mix until smooth.
(The gravy seemed runny and kind of odd but tasted pretty good with the popovers.)
15 Minute Meatloaf muffins
I've never really liked meatloaf - I don't like the tomato sauce some people put on top and I often feel like the meat is too... undercooked. I've combined a meatball recipe and meatloaf recipe and LOVE meatloaf now!
2 eggs beaten
1 lb hamburger
1/4 onion chopped
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup oatmeal
3 slices of bread diced
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp celery salt
2 TB A1 Steak sauce
Mix, scoop into sprayed muffin tin. Bake @ 375 for 15 minutes. You can leave them in an extra minute if they're not done enough for you- unlike meatloaf done in a muffin tin it's easy to see if they need a little more time. And NO, I do not put any kind of sauce on them.
2 eggs beaten
1 lb hamburger
1/4 onion chopped
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup oatmeal
3 slices of bread diced
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp celery salt
2 TB A1 Steak sauce
Mix, scoop into sprayed muffin tin. Bake @ 375 for 15 minutes. You can leave them in an extra minute if they're not done enough for you- unlike meatloaf done in a muffin tin it's easy to see if they need a little more time. And NO, I do not put any kind of sauce on them.
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