Meatloaf With Italian Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 Johnsonville Italian sausage links (casings removed)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 spring onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup Cream Of Wheat hot cereal
• 1/2 cup milk
• dash Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 strips bacon, uncooked
• tomato ketchup

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In large bowl, combine ground beef, sausage, egg, green bell pepper, onions, cereal, milk, Worcestershire, and salt and pepper.  Mix well.  Press into un-greased loaf pan forming a bread like loaf.  Place bacon strips across the top length-wise and drizzle with ketchup.

Bake for one hour or until cooked through.  Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

~ I've never made meatloaf with anything other than ground beef, so this was a nice change with loads of flavor from the sausage.  Bacon on top and ketchup are a tradition no matter what sort of meatloaf  I make.  Enjoy! ~

Potato Kugel

Ingredients

• 6 potatoes, peeled and grated
• 1 zucchini, peeled and grated
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and grated
• 1 medium onion, peeled and grated
• 4 spring onions, diced
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Drain any excess liquid from potatoes, zucchini, carrots, and onions and place vegetables in bowl.

Into vegetable mixture, add eggs, flour, oil, salt and pepper and blend well.  Pour mixture into greased casserole dish and bake for about an hour or until golden brown.

~ I'm always looking for new ways to use my garden veggies and this made use of the zucchini, carrots, and spring onion.  Nice hearty side dish that's a nice change to ordinary potatoes.  Enjoy! ~ 

Cheesy Zucchini And Bacon Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bread, cubed
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cups cubed zucchini
• 1 medium onion
• 6 spring onions, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 3 strips bacon, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In small frying pan, fry bacon to desired consistency and drain off grease.  Set aside.

Place bread cubes in a medium bowl and pour the melted butter over the bread, toss lightly.  Add zucchini, onion, garlic salt and egg, toss well.

Transfer mixture into covered baking dish and top with grated cheese and bacon.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.  Remove cover and continue baking for another 20 - 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

~ Our first ever real vegetable garden is starting to give us the fruits of our labor and zucchini is one of those little goodies.  We picked the first two zucchini today and I wasn't sure what I wanted to make with it.  With a little thought and creativity, you can turn it into a delectable side dish even your kids will love.  I mean, really, who doesn't love cheese AND bacon?  Enjoy! ~

Best Ever Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar

Filling/Topping

• 2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese (softened)
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup sugar (divided)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (divided)
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar; mix well.  Pat evenly into the bottom and sides of a 9" pie plate.  Place in refrigerator to chill while preparing filling.

In mixing bowl combine cream cheese and eggs and beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.  Add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and salt.  Continue beating until well blended.  Pour into chilled pie crust and bake for 35 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Combine sour cream, remaining sugar and vanilla extract in a small bowl.  Spread evenly over cooled cheesecake and return to oven for another 10 minutes.  

Cool completely on a wire rack and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. 

~ Another recipe from my friend's mother's kitchen .. thanks again Sheri! ~

No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 box lemon flavored gelatin (4 serving sized box)
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups whipped topping
• 1 pre-made honey graham cracker pie crust

Directions

In a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water.  Set aside.

In medium bowl, with electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually beat in dissolved gelatin mixture.  Fold in whipped topping.  Spoon into pie crust and chill for 4 hours or until firm.

~ An easy recipe that I received from a friend's mother.  Thanks Sheri! ~