Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Cheeseburger meatloaf

Nonstick cooking spray, for the pan

3 slices Texas toast or any bread, cubed 

1/4 cup milk 

1 pound ground beef 

3 strips crisp cooked bacon, chopped 

1 large eggs 

1/4 c chopped onions (personal amount)

2 Tbls ketchup

1  tablespoon mustard 

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 ounces Cheddar, cut into small cubes, plus 1/2 cup grated Cheddar

topping

4 Tbls grated  onion 

1/2 Ketchup

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dill pickle chips, for serving

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a broiler pan with nonstick spray.

Mix together the bread and milk in a bowl and set aside.

Add the ground beef, chopped  bacon, egg, onion, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 T ketchup, 1/2 tablespoon mustard to a large bowl. Add the soaked bread and mix with your hands, trying to keep the mixture light. Gently mix in the cubed Cheddar, making sure to distribute it evenly throughout the meat.

Form the meat mixture into a loaf. Place on broiler pan.

Mix the grated onion with the remaining 1/2 cup ketchup, 4 T  mustard  in another bowl. Spread half of the sauce on top of the meatloaf. Tent the pan with foil and bake for 1 hour.

Remove the foil, add the rest of the sauce and continue baking until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F and the meatloaf is no longer pink in the middle, another 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle on the grated Cheddar and return to the oven for 5 minutes to melt. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before removing to a platter.

Slice and serve with the sliced red onions and dill pickle chips.

Strawberry Crumb Bars

1/2 cup  Sugar

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/2 cup butter

1 Egg

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 cups Strawberries, Chopped

1/3 cup White Sugar

2 tsp. Cornstarch

Preheat the oven to 375º. Grease the baking pan with non-stick spray (or a combination of butter and flour).

Chop the strawberries and set aside. Note: If you are using frozen strawberries, follow the package directions to thaw them first.

In a medium bowl, stir together 1/2 cup of white sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.

Using two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the pieces become pea-sized . The dough will be crumbly.

In a separate small bowl, beat an egg with a fork, and then add the egg and vanilla to the flour mixture.

Press half of the dough into the bottom of the pan.

In another medium bowl, mix together 1/3 cup of white sugar, cornstarch, and strawberries. Spoon this mixture evenly over the bottom crust.

Crumble the remaining dough over the strawberry layer.

Bake at 375º for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for at least four hours. Cut into bars and serve!

Basic Pancakes

Basic pancakes

1 cup ap flour

1 Tbl. Sugar

1 teas. baking powder

1/4 teas. salt

1 beaten egg

1 cup milk

1 Tbl. Veg Oil

1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix together dry ingredients set aside. In another bowl mix milk, egg and oil. Pour wet ingredients into the dry until just moistened. It should be lumpy. Over mixing causes flat tough pancakes.

Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto hot lightly greased fry pan.**  Cook over medium heat about 2 minutes on each side or till pancakes are golden brown, turning to second sides when pancakes have bubbly surfaces and edges are slightly dry. 

**Once the batter is poured I like to add 7 to 8 blueberries to each pancake. Fresh or frozen blueberries work well.

Leftovers freezer well.