Mini Meat Loaves.

These are yummy and very kid friendly.

Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger
1 egg
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup finely shredded onion
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs or oats
2 tbsp relish
2 tbsp prepared mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup ketchup

Directions:
Combine beef, egg, half the cheese, onion, bread crumbs/oats, relish, mustard, salt and pepper. Grease muffin tins or custard cups with cooking oil. Divide mixture among cups, make an indention/well in the center of each. Fill well with ketchup, and sprinkle the reaming cheese over. Bake at 375* for 25 to 30 min.

Other ideas: Mix ahead of time and freeze in single portions for use at a later date. Or add shredded veggies like 1/2 cup of carrots or zucchini.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Over here we love peanut butter and chocolate so theses are a big hit.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 packed brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:Preheat oven to 350*
Cream together butter and white and brown sugar. Stir in peanut butter, egg and vanilla, blend well. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in oats and chocolate chips. Place onto cookie sheet in approx tablespoons amounts. Bake for 10-12 min. Cool on cookie sheet for about 5 min before transfering to a cooling rack.

Pecah-berry Pie

This is my favorite pie!

For pastry recipe click here.

Filling:
3 cups peeled and sliced peaches

1 cup blackberries, fresh or loosely frozen

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

In large bowl combine the sugar and flour. Stir well.

Peel and slice peaches. Add peaches and blackberries to sugar mixture. Toss together. Pour into pie shell. Place pastry over top, seal edges and cut slits in top.

Sprinkle sugar (if you want). Bake in a 350*F degree oven until browned and peaches are tender.

You can also use raspberries instead of blackberries or a combo of both.

Strawberry Daiquiris

Made with fresh strawberries, or frozen puree.
We have per pureed 1 cup portions in the freezer it makes for fast and easy daiquiris. :)

Ingredients:
12 ice cubes (standard size)
1 cup pureed strawberries
3 oz. white rum
1.5 oz. lime juice
2 tbsp sugar

Directions:
In a blender puree strawberries (if you are using fresh berries). Add ice cubes, rum, lime juice and sugar and crush it all up. Pour into cups and enjoy! :)

Puffed Wheat Squares

Ian loves these and Marin loves them even more!

Ingredients:
8 cups puff wheat
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Melt butter in a pan. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients (not the puff wheat). Cook slowly on low heat string occasionally until bubbles form, then stir constantly for 2-3 min. Remove from heat and pour over puffed wheat and mix it all together. Press well into 9 x 13 pan and allow to cool.

Banana and/or Apple Oatmeal Muffins

I really like this recipe, it makes a "hearty" muffin and it works with bananas or apples or a combination of both.

Dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup rolled oats
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (if you are making them with just apples)

Wet ingredients:
1 egg
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk

1 cup mashed banana or grated apple or a bit of both
1/2 cup chocolate chips (if you are making them with bananas) or
1/2 cup raisins (if you are making them with apples)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400*.
Combine all dry ingredients and set aside. Beat (with mixer) egg, oil and milk. Then stir in fruit. Add dry ingredients to wet. Stir in chocolate chips or raisins. Spoon into muffin tins (I use paper cups). I also usually sprinkle a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon mixture on the top before baking them. If I am making banana muffins then I just use brown sugar.
Bake for 15- 20 minuets or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Makes about 8-12 muffins depending on how big you make them.

Fettucini Noodle Bake

This is a very simple dish to make. It is a "comfort food", yum, yum!

Ingredients:
4 oz fettucini noodles
1 small sized onion, diced
4 mushrooms, sliced
1/2 lb lean ground beef
14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Cook noodles. Brown beef, add onions, oregano, sugar and salt. Add mushrooms and tomatoes (you can leave them as they are straight from the can or blend them up into smaller pieces).
Put cooked noodles in the bottom of a 8x8 backing dish. Spread meat mixture over noodles and bake in 350*F oven for 20 min. Grate cheese. After 20 min remove from oven and sprinkle cheese over top put back in the oven for 10 min or until cheeses has melted.
Serves 4.

French Toast

Very quick and easy to make. And tasty too!

Ingredients:
6 slices of bread (white or brown)
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp melted butter

Directions:
Cut bread into desired size/shape.
Beat together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and butter.
Dip bread into mixture.
Fry in fry pan on medium heat until golden brown.
Serve warm with maple syrup, fruit syrup or whatever you want. :)