Boston Market Copycat MeatLoaf Recipe

3/4 cup ketchup

2 1/2 TBS BBQ sauce 2 TBS sugar

3/4 tsp onion powder 3/4 tsp garlic powder

2 1/2 lbs ground beef

2/3 cup all purpose flour

2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 2 eggs, beaten 1 1/4 cup italian bread crumbs

1, Preheat the oven to 400 F
2. In a large bowl, stir together the ketchup, bbq sauce and the sugar; set aside 1/4 cup of the mixture.
3. With your hands, mix in the remaining ingredients in sauce mixture.
4. Form the mixture into a loaf and placed into a greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. (If you don't have a loaf pan, that's ok - I use a rectangular pan and that works fine)
5. Bake, COVERED, for 35-40 mins.
6. Uncover and drain the fat from the pan, then slice the meat loaf while still in the pan.
7. Drizzle the reserved tomato sauce mixture evenly over the meat loaf.
8. Bake, UNCOVERED, for an additional 30 mins or until cooked thoroughly.

Orange Glazed Meatballs

1 lb Ground Beef
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 egg
2 TBS oil
4 TBS Orange Marmalade
4 TBS Soy Sauce
2 TBS White Vinegar
2 Oranges or clementines
splash of orange juice

1. Prepare Meatballs and cook: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the garlic, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, bread crumbs, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Thoroughly combine and form into golf-ball-sized meatballs. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan. Cook, rotating to brown all sides, for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked to desired doneness. (can also cook in oven) Remove from the pan and set aside.
2.  Make the glaze: Wipe out any burned bits from the pan. Returning it to medium-high heat, add the vinegar, orange jam, remaining soy sauce, and a splash of orange juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Return the meatballs to the pan. Reduce until the sauce is thick and syrupy. Roll the meatballs to coat them in the glaze.

We like to serve with white rice and broccoli!  And with the 2 oranges remove skin and divide into segments and serve with it!.  The kids LOVE this!!!  

DIY X Coffee Table

Built this coffee table to go in the living room.   Also built 2 matching end tables!  These were fairly quick builds with most of the work in the finishing process.  The coffee table is from ana-white's plan and the end tables I modified the dimensions to fit my space.

Here are the coffee table plans

The top is done in a "kona" stain and a couple of coats of poly.  The bottom portion done in a distressed white with kona glaze on top.

 

Menu Plan Monday~

Here is what is on our menu this week

Monday - Grilled Chicken, rice and gravy, green beans, Homemade Yeast Rolls
Tuesday - Spaghetti, homemade French Bread
Wednesday - Church
Thursday - Tacos
Friday- Sausage, Mac n cheese, peas, homemade bread
Saturday - Shrimp Scamp,Homemade Garlic Yeast Roll
Sunday - Ribeye Steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob

If I am not in the mood for something I will switch up the day that I make it... point is, I have a plan and have the ingredients to make everything.  This saves me time, money, and stress! In a pinch I usually can always make grilled cheese and tomato soup or throw together a tuna fish casserole :-)

Do you meal plan?  If not I encourage you to do so... Really does take the stress of "what's for dinner?" out of my day!


For more Menu Planning Ideas:

Cake Batter Waffle Sundaes!

How amazing do these look!  Let me tell you how amazingly EASY these were... and how very, very excited my kids were to get to make their own!

Cake Batter Waffle Sundae

All you need is any boxed cake mix.  Prepared as instructed on the box.  We used a Chocolate Cake Mix.  The best part about this is that they are ready very quickly!  No waiting on the oven to preheat...no waiting for the cakes or cupcakes to bake, cool, etc.  And as a bonus this is something easy for kids to make themselves, with a little supervision of course :)

Preheat your waffle iron... pour batter (mine uses about 1/3 cup per waffle section)... Close and cook.... My waffle iron has a green light when finished... probably about 4 minutes or so...

Pour Cake batter in heated waffle iron.  (Mine takes about 1/3 cup per waffle section)

Once they are done, carefully transfer to a plate.  Add a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, well... whatever your heart desires!  We happened to have some maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips... and of course some chocolate syrup!  Imagine them with some crushed Oreo's, or some peanut butter, vanilla cake mix with colorful sprinkles and strawberries!  Oh the possibilities get me excited!  These will also be great in the summertime when it is so hot I don't dare turn my oven on!

Here is my oldest... All 3 of my kid were pretty excited about these!

I think the one box mix made about 16-18 waffles!  I really lost count cause we were eating our sundaes up :)    I flash froze the remaining waffles, once frozen, transferred them to a freezer bag.  I think there are around 10 waffles left... These will be great to have a quick and yummy dessert after dinner, or a special afternoon snack for the kids (& me :)

Bread Machine YUMMY White Bread

1 cup  warm water
2 TBS sugar
2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast
1/4 cup veg oil
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

Add water, sugar, and yeast.  Allow to proof 10 minutes until foamy.  Then add oil, flour, and salt.  Select your basic setting and press start!  Mine takes about 3 hours from start to finish.  Many times I will set after lunch and run errands.  By the time the kids are home from school it is near the end of it's cooking and we have fresh bread with our dinner!

I like to add 2 tsp of garlic, & 2 tsp parsley for an Italian Bread to serve with pasta's

By the way, I was one of those people who thought a bread machine was a complete waste of money and space...  HA! Thanks to my in-laws for picking up extra's at yard sales and giving me one!  I am so hooked now! 

Cheesy BBQ Chicken with Bacon

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
Oil (olive, canola, or vegetable)  OR cook in bacon grease*
BBQ sauce
Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
bacon (cooked crisp) about 6-8 pieces
green onions (optional)

There are several ways you can cook and assemble this yummy dish!  My kids absolutely LOVE when I make this!  Here is how I do it.

Decide how you are cooking your bacon.  You can cheat an use real bacon pieces that you can buy.  or cook in the microwave.  I like to cook my bacon in an iron skillet... Then use that grease to brown my chicken.  I know, I know... I am in the south and well bacon grease is not wasted down here LOL!

So cook your bacon or heat a few TBS of oil in an iron skillet.  Set bacon to the side...

Pound chicken thin...  (Again this is a preference, but I find it cooks quicker & makes my chicken go farther for my family of 5... and I won't lie I get to take my frustrations out while pounding away :)  To avoid any mess I like to lay a piece of plastic cling wrap on the counter, then put a couple pieces of the chicken... and another piece of plastic wrap on top... then proceed with the pounding!)

Brown each side of the chicken breasts.  Transfer the chicken to a baking dish or cookie sheet....  brush a little bbq on the top of each breast and bake on 350 about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Depending on the thickness of your chicken will determine how long it needs as well.

Once cooked through flip each piece over... add BBQ to that size along with bacon.  You can a couple on each piece or break the bacon to fit... It usually just depends on how much I have on hand HAHA!  Top each piece with shredded cheddar and return to oven on broil.... just to melt cheese and lightly brown...

I like green onions on top, my kids don't.  do what you like :)

Great served with buttered noodles or rice and a veggie!

Menu Plan Monday, My Weeks Worth!

I generally make my menu for a month at a time.  I do my grocery shopping by the month also....  I usually shop between the 10th and 15th of each month... I know I am weird LOL... It works for my family of 5 though!  I try to limit eating out to once a week... Usually this is on Sunday after church.  I stock freezer, pantry and produce/dairy all in my monthly trip.  Then usually 2 weeks later I stock milk/produce again... and dire necessities that can't wait for the next monthly trip.   I love to bake breads of all sorts.... and usually bake it 3-4x's per week in some manner :) More on my shopping habits later though LOL.

Monday - Sausage, Field Peas, Cheesy Potato Soup, Homemade Yeast Rolls
Tuesday - Spaghetti, homemade French Bread
Wednesday - Church
Thursday - Stew
Friday- Hamburgers, french fries
Saturday - Cheesy BBQ Chicken w/ Bacon, Broccoli, rice
Sunday - Dinner: Fettuccine Alfredo w/ chicken, homemade garlic bread

Here is a fun little dessert to make with the kids too: 

Cake Batter Waffle Sundaes

A little behind my methods of Meal planning....
With 3 kids, 2 of which are in school (1st and 4th grade) I try to keep school nights simple and quick because our nights are usually hectically filled with homework, baths, showers, bedtime... Well, it can get crazy without a plan!  One thing I found that helped me from getting overwhelmed when I began menu planning was assigning "spaghetti night"... For a while it was every Monday... then I got all crazy and switched it to Tuesdays :)  Sometimes I do spaghetti with meatballs, sometimes it is spaghetti with meat sauce, sometimes it is spaghetti with marinara sauce :)  I also try to do something in the crockpot once a week, and rotate chicken, beef, etc etc.  And if I am not in the mood for something I will switch up the day that I make it... point is, I have a plan and have the ingredients to make everything.  This saves me time, money, and stress!

Do you meal plan?  If not I encourage you to do so... Really does take the stress of "what's for dinner?" out of my day!


For more Menu Planning Ideas:

Focaccia bread

Homemade Focaccia Bread

1/2 very warm water
1/2 tsp sugar
2 packages active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
3 Tbs olive oil
1 cup water

(***UPDATE***  Now that I have my bread machine I make the dough in it for the first rise)

herbs, spices, onions, tomatoes, black olives... etc.... whatever you like for the top :) I make this different every time... a little overboard in the pic! HA

In a glass measuring cup... stir warm water and sugar, then stir in yeast and let it proof... (wait about 5 minutes to be activated... it should foam on top)

In a large bowl combine flour and salt.... Stir in yeast mixture, 2 TBS olive oil & 1 cup water.

Cover with greased plastic wrap... set in warm draft free spot to double...

while the dough is rising, heat the remaining olive oil in a saucepan and add your onions and herbs... cook about 5 minutes to caramelize.

Turn your dough (which will be very soft) onto a heavily floured board or counter top.... Use a lot of flour on your hands... knead just enough to work with it... Get it to a greased stone or pan... arrange into a rectangle.... You can let it rise more if you have the time... Otherwise you can bake at this point :)

Create dimples in your dough with your fingertips every few inches.... drizzle with your olive oil, onions herbs, tomatoes or whatever else you choose to bake into it :)

Bake on preheated 425 F oven for about 30 minutes or until slightly brown on top and bottom... serve warm... Cut into large squares... YUMMY

Addictive Taco Dip

1 taco seasoning packet
1 block cream cheese (softened)
1 small container sour cream

Soften cream cheese. Then mix with electric mixer all 3 ingredients together until well blended. Chill at least 1 hour and serve with tortilla chips! YUMMY!

Can be made ahead for parties. You can spread into a pretty pie dish and add green onions, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, etc to garnish a bit.

This is a FAVORITE of my family's! 

*Warning*  Highly addictive to eat!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

2 tbs butter
1 whole onions chopped
1 whole garlic cloves (I use minced in the jar)
½ cup butter
1 lb. broccolli washed, cut (Or use frozen)
½ cup flour
1 qt. half & half
1 qt. chicken stock (or use chicken Base)
2 salt and pepper, to taste grated
¼ tsp nutmeg
8 oz. cheddar cheese
2 whole carrots shredded

This soup serves 6 and can be easily doubled. It is unbelievably delicious!!
time to make 55 min 25 min prep


1. Saute onion in butter. When onions are golden, stir in garlic and cook for 3 more minutes. Set aside.
2. In another pan melt the 1/2 cup of butter and stir the butter and flour (make a roux) using a whisk over med. heat for 3-5
minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half. Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat till veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
4. Pour in batches into blender and puree.
5. Return to pot and add the grated cheese and stir till well blended.
6. Put on low heat and stir the nutmeg.

Serve with cheese on top.... Freezes wonderfully!

Italian French Bread Machine

2 ¼ tsp yeast, active dry
7/8 cups warm water
1 TBS Brown Sugar
4 Cups flour

1½ tsp salt
1 TBS Olive Oil 

cornmeal to sprinkle on baking sheet

Put ingredients in Bread Machine.  I do mine in the order listed... You may refer to your bread machine for what they recommend as well..  Select "Dough" cycle and start.  My dough cycle is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

After the dough is done... punch down on a lightly floured surface.  Cut in half and form 2 loaves... Shape about 18 inches long... I like to twist mine then lay on my baking stone that is sprinkled with cornmeal.  Cover with a damp towel and let rise 45 min-1 hour or until doubled.


Preheat oven 375 degrees.


You may do an egg wash here... I never do but if you want a shiny look go for it :) Mix egg white with a little water and brush on.  You can also make "slits" in the loaves if you like... I don't bother with it either... Call me a lazy bread maker!

Place in oven.
Bake about 30-35 minutes until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when you tap them.
ENJOY!

Easy Pizza Dough

2 tsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbs olive oil
2 ½ cup bread flour

I've tried many different pizza crust recipes and this one is not only our favorite, it's also one of the quickest to make. The pizza, from start to finish, can be ready to pop in the oven in less than 15 minutes.
(*Update* I now do this pizza dough in my bread machine and it works great!  You can do it by hand as well :)

Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the rest of the ingredients in and mix.
Dump onto a floured surface
Knead into a smooth dough (five minutes or so).

Roll out and press down onto a greased pizza pan.
This can also be used to make Calzone or Stromboli
Add toppings. (Have fun and be creative with this! Our favorite  is pepperoni with pineapple :)


bake at 450 F. for around 12-15 minutes until the crust looks crispy and lightly browned.

Marella Italian Gravy (Spaghetti Sauce)

Growing up I remember many days when there would be a pot of "Gravy" on the stove...  Seemed like it cooked for 3 days and would smell divine!  In reality it was more like a day (8 hours) of cooking on low.  A big pot would get made along with homemade meatballs and braciole (This is soooo good!!!)  My parents would then freeze leftovers for later use.

While the pot was cooking we would always grab some bread a get a little bowl of gravy and dip our bread

I don't measure and with use different tomatoes based on what I have.  During the summer and when I have a plentiful stash of fresh or tomatoes from home canning I will use those!  When my supply is depleted I use store bought canned tomatoes usually a combination of crushed, pureed, stewed.  Really just depends how chunky you like your gravy (sauce).

Here is the basics:
Saute Garlic in olive oil or meat oil (from fried meatballs if made).... Add either fresh stewed/pureed tomatoes or canned stewed tomatoes... Add parsley, onion (diced or powder), italian seasonings, sugar, salt/pepper or other spices to taste... add tomato paste to thicken to desired... Cook very low heat at least 8 hours or more stirring occassionally.  Add red wine toward the end of cooking.  You may add your cooked meatballs and braciole while simmering as well

Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce

1½ tbs margarine melted
3 TBS minced garlic
1½ tbs flour
2 cup milk
3 tbs cream cheese
½ cup parmesan grated
2 tbs parsley chopped fresh


In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Blend in flour; cook and stir minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses and parsley until cheeses melt. Toss with fettuccine.

Serve with cooked chicken breasts too!

To Freeze: Allow to cool and ladle (sauce only) into 1 gallon Ziploc bag. Lay flat to freeze.

Serve with fettuccine noodles

Chicken Parmesan

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1 cup parmesan cheese
¾ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
¾ cup Mozzerella
1 lb spaghetti
1 can pasta sauce

Pound chicken thin... Combine dry ingredients in a shallow bowl. Dip each chicken breast in beaten egg, then roll in bread crumb mixture to evenly coat. Place chicken on a greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 375' F. oven 10 min. Turn chicken over; bake 10-12 min. or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

***TO FREEZE: Lay flat in 1 gallon bags

*TO SERVE: Reheat chicken in 375' F. until heated through and crust is crispy.
Spoon sauce on chicken. Sprinkle cheese over top. Broil to melt cheese.

Serve w/ spaghetti & pasta sauce