It's What's For Dinner!

Spanish Meatloaf With Mexican Flavored White Rice

For Spanish Meatloaf:
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef; 1/3 c. tomato sauce; 2/3 c. milk; 8 large pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. dry mustard; 1/4 tsp. pepper; 3 slices bread, torn into small pieces (I toast & cool mine first); 1 egg; 1 clove garlic, finely chopped; 1/2 c. tomato sauce; 1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 c.)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients except 1/2 c. tomato sauce. Spread mixture in loaf pan, 9 X 5 X 3 inches. Spoon 1/2 c. tomato sauce over top. Bake 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until done. Remove from pan.

For Mexican Flavored White Rice:
2 c. white rice
4 c. water
Bring rice and water to boil. Cover and turn heat to low. Simmer on low for 15 min. Remove from heat, let sit for 5 minutes covered. Fluff with fork. Add one 14 oz. can of flavored tomatoes, drained, 1/2 packet of taco seasoning mix, 1/4 c. tomato sauce to rice. Heat until warm and serve.

Tips: Spanish Rice would be very good with this meatloaf. I, personally would add the whole packet of taco seasoning mix to the rice for more flavor, but my family wins on the 1/2 packet.

Double the Meat Loaf recipe...it makes great leftovers or sandwiches. Sadly, we do not usually have leftovers when doubled. The rice recipe is already doubled, It serves 6-8 (or my big eater family of 4).

Question? What will happen to me if I already ate a piece of meatloaf after lunch-time and before dinner?

Answer? I'm a lot happier (and fatter) than before I ate it.

Happy Dinnertime!

Try this pasta salad...I whipped it up yesterday!

Chicken Craisin Pasta Salad

One box of Whole Grain Penne Pasta

One 10 oz can of chicken

1 c. Craisins

8 oz. frozen peas

1 Cucumber

1 1/2-2 c. light Miracle Whip

1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard

1 tsp. Onion Powder

Salt

Pepper

1/2 Tbsp. white vinegar

1/8 c. milk

Boil pasta according to directions, drain and rinse in cold water, let stand until cooled. Drain canned chicken. Cut whole cucumber into quarters then slice. In small bowl mix together Light Miracle Whip, dijon mustard, milk, vinegar, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste. When pasta is room temperature or cooler, in large bowl mix well with frozen peas, Craisins, cucumbers, chicken (I also salt and peppered this mixture to taste). Stir in sauce mixture. Refridgerate to chill before serving.

Suggestions: I used Sweet Hot Mustard instead of dijon-yum. The frozen peas will speed up the chilling process (it's like adding a bit of ice w/out the water to make it runny). My measurements are approximate, so add more or less to your tastes. To the sauce you could add a bit more vinegar and a tad of sugar for extra zing!

IT'S HERE! Junk-2-Junque Sales: Unique vintage finds, Re-invented treasures, household items, gifts and MORE. The sales are in Illgen City at the Junction of Hwy 61 and 1, next door to Behind the Seams Quilt Shop. Fri. & Sat. April 2nd & 3rd; May 7th & 8th. Sale hours 9am-3pm. We open shop by appointment.

Is it Light, Serving Bowl or Globe

Multi-purpose globe...reinvented!

For the lamp:

1/2 globe (cut with saw)
lamp base
lamp arm to glue to globe for shade

For the bowl:
1/2 globe
plastic picnic serving bowl for liner
bottom of globe or base

For the globe:
Leave as is and enjoy!

Please comment with your own re-inventions!