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! ~ 

Easy Baked Chicken

Ingredients

• Vegetable Oil
• Cooking Spray
• 4 Chicken leg quarters
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large frying pan, add enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan.  Heat oil over medium heat.  Season leg quarters with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning on both sides and fry 2 at a time, turning when golden brown.

Spray casserole dish with cooking spray and add the chicken.  Cover and bake for about an hour and a half.  Serve with your favorite side of veggies and/or potatoes.

~ This is what we had last night.  Totally easy and the chicken falls right off the bone.  This is the technique we used when catering, although my dad used to deep fry the chicken first to brown, instead of pan fry, because of the massive quantities we had to prepare.   Super easy! ~ 

Potato Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 egg 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• vegetable oil

Directions

In mixing bowl, combine mashed potatoes, onion, flour, egg, salt and pepper.  Mix well. 

Coat skillet with vegetable oil for frying on medium/high heat.  Drop mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls into hot oil, careful not to overcrowd the pan.  This is usually done in a few batches.  Fry until golden brown on both sides.  Place on paper toweling to drain excess oil.  

Serve as is or with the toppings of your choice.

~ This is what I find to be the easiest way to use up your mashed potatoes from a previous night's dinner.  I know you can use fresh potatoes (grated) as well, but I prefer to think of this as a tasty way to revamp those leftovers without wasting them.  My family likes these with a dollop of sour cream.  You can sprinkle with grated cheese, or just eat them as they are.  A tasty side dish that I know you will enjoy! ~