3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

recipe

Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipes Your Kids Will Love

by

You heard right, it’s a Meatloaf cupcake recipe.

According to my daughter two words that should never be put together. But based on the response from uploading a picture to Facebook I think my Meatloaf Cupcakes with mashed potatoes for frosting deserves some blog time.

Meatloaf cupcake3s mashed potatoes

I didn’t find this idea on Pinterest,  it was a Family Magazine recipe while getting my hair cut, although anyone who wants to Pin this is more than welcome.

Meatloaf cupcakes are actually quite easy. In very simplistic terms, use your favorite meatloaf recipe, bake in muffin tins and frost with mashed potatoes. Easy peasy. They actually make meatloaf cupcake tins now!

Now, for a beginning cook who has never made either, here is my recipe below. Remember I’m a “creative cook”, recipes are used as guidelines and measurements are liberally flexible.

Meatloaf Cupcake Recipe

  • 2 lbs of ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • Salt & Pepper (1/2 tsp each)
  • Cupcake tins (didn’t have these so I baked them in regular muffin tins, messier, and not as pretty)

Mix raw ground beef with all the remaining items on the list. Scoop into balls and press into muffin tins.  Glaze with ketchup and bake at 350F for 45 minutes.

Since I have posted this Meatloaf Muffin recipe it has become VERY popular on Pinterest. Thank you, everyone, by the way. Now there are multiple stuffed meatloaf muffin recipes and even a special muffin pan designed to drain the fat from the tins, genius I say!

Norpro Nonstick Mini Meatloaf, Muffin PanNorpro Nonstick Mini Meatloaf, Muffin PanMuffin Tin Menus: 47 Fun & Delicious RecipesMuffin Tin Menus: 47 Fun & Delicious Recipes

Mashed Potato Recipe

  • 4-6 potatoes
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

  1. Peel and slice potatoes into 1/2″ pieces.
  2. Boil in a large pot of water (make sure water is at least 1/2″ over potatoes) until easily poked with a fork.
  3. Drain water (save potato water as stock for cooking) and add milk, butter, sour cream, salt and pepper.
  4. Mash all ingredients together with a potato masher, or blender. 
  5. Add cheese and mix with wooden spoon until cheese is melted. (add more for cheesier frosting)
  6. Insert mashed potatoes into a piping tube, I used my Pampered Chef decorating tube (did I tell you I got a lot for my wedding)
  7. Top with grated salt and pepper
Options
Top with bacon bits, shredded cheese, or chives.
Find More Meatloaf Cupcake Recipes
Get creative with your meatloaf and your cupcakes. Food doesn’t have to be boring. If you have any meatloaf cupcake recipes you would like to share let me know.

Top 50 Most Delicious Meatloaf Recipes (Recipe Top 50's Book 74)Top 50 Most Delicious Meatloaf Recipes (Recipe Top 50’s Book 74)Meatloaf Recipes: 26 Meatloaf Recipes That Will Make Your Kitchen The #1 Favorite (Rory's Meat Kitchen)Meatloaf Recipes: 26 Meatloaf Recipes That Will Make Your Kitchen The #1 Favorite (Rory’s Meat Kitchen)Meet The Meatloaf: Easy and Delicious Meatloaf RecipesMeet The Meatloaf: Easy and Delicious Meatloaf RecipesMeatloaf Recipes: 28 Must-Eat, Super Easy and Yummy Meatloaf Recipes at Every Meal!Meatloaf Recipes: 28 Must-Eat, Super Easy and Yummy Meatloaf Recipes at Every Meal!

How to Cook Corned Beef

by

Even though I grew up in a heavily Irish area of Connecticut I never ate corned beef. So when my husband asked me to cook it, I was a little lost, he is part Irish and Corned Beef was a family tradition on St. Patricks Day. When I said I didn’t know how to cook it, and wasn’t planning on adding it to the menu a pout appeared and he mentioned driving home to his Mom’s. That wasn’t going to happen.

Cooking Corned Beef and Cabbage

So, I started asking around for recipes and my co-worker Kelly told me about this awesome recipe on, where else, Allrecipes. Have to admit, even for someone with no Irish heritage I did pretty well. On second thought, since I’m adopted, I don’t know what mix I am and the freckles that appear in the summer might have some “Touch of the Irish” , but I’d like to think I’m just a good cook.

I bought the already packaged and brined corned beef, I guess I cheated a little. I did learn a little trivia about corned beef. It’s not named because the beef are fed corn, but because the brisket was cured with corns of salt.

&

Omaha Steaks 1 (30 oz.) Rustic Corned BeefOmaha Steaks 1 (30 oz.) Rustic Corned BeefUnderwood Corned Beef Spread, 4.25 Ounce (Pack of 12)Underwood Corned Beef Spread, 4.25 Ounce (Pack of 12)Homemade Pastrami and To-Die-For Corned BeefHomemade Pastrami and To-Die-For Corned BeefCorned Beef Hot Sandwiches: 101 Delicious, Nutritious, Low Budget, Mouth Watering CookbookCorned Beef Hot Sandwiches: 101 Delicious, Nutritious, Low Budget, Mouth Watering Cookbook

&

For more of my favorite recipes check out my Pinterest Food page

Corned Beef Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 (3 pound) corned beef briskets with spice packets
  • 2 (12 fluid ounce) bottles beer
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup peppercorns
  • 1 bulb garlic cloves, separated and peeled (didn’t have, used freeze dried garlic)
 Directions
  1. Place the corned beef briskets into a large pot (I used a crock pot). Sprinkle in one of the spice packets, and discard the other one or save for other uses. Pour in the beer, and fill the pot with enough water to cover the briskets by 1 inch. Add the bay leaves, peppercorns and garlic cloves. Cover, and bring to a boil.
  2. Once the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 4 to 5 hours, checking hourly, and adding more water if necessary to keep the meat covered. (which I didn’t do, still turned out great)
  3. Carefully remove the meat from the pot, as it will be extremely tender. Set on a cutting board, and allow it to rest until it firms up a bit, about 10 minutes. Slice or shred to serve. I discard the cooking liquid, but it can be used to cook cabbage and other vegetables if desired.
Cabbage, Potatoes & Onions
  • 1/4 of a cabbage, cut into 1-2″ chunks
  • 1 onion cut into 1″ pieces
  • 4 potatoes, cubed
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions
  1. Cube all ingredients and place in shallow baking dish
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and melted butter
  3. Liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper
  4. Bake for 45 minutes

Favorite Irish Foods

There is more to Irish food than Corn Beef and many people who have moved from Ireland, or have Irish history remember distinctly Irish brands such as Barry’s Irish Tea or Irish Stew. If you’re craving a taste of Ireland, or just wanting to throw an Irish Themed party then check out the pantry items at Amazon and have them delivered right to your door.

&

McCann's Quick Cooking Irish Oatmeal, 36-Ounce CanisterMcCann’s Quick Cooking Irish Oatmeal, 36-Ounce CanisterReally Great Food Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread Mix 25 OzReally Great Food Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread Mix 25 OzBoyle's Irish ScreamBoyle’s Irish ScreamIrish Biscuit Pack - Orignal Kimberley Biscuits, Chocolate Kimberleys, Jam Mallows and Irish Shortbread BiscuitsIrish Biscuit Pack – Orignal Kimberley Biscuits, Chocolate Kimberleys, Jam Mallows and Irish Shortbread BiscuitsThompson's Punjana Irish Breakfast 80 teabags (8.82oz) x 1 packThompson’s Punjana Irish Breakfast 80 teabags (8.82oz) x 1 packTayto Irish Cheese & Onion Crisps - 6 Pack ( 6 x 25g bags)Tayto Irish Cheese & Onion Crisps – 6 Pack ( 6 x 25g bags)Follain Irish Rhubarb & Ginger Jam 370gFollain Irish Rhubarb & Ginger Jam 370gBarry's Tea Irish Breakfast, 80-Tea Bag Boxes (Pack of 6)Barry’s Tea Irish Breakfast, 80-Tea Bag Boxes (Pack of 6)Princes Irish Stew (400g)Princes Irish Stew (400g)Garvey's Organic Traditional Irish Soda Bread Mix, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 5)Garvey’s Organic Traditional Irish Soda Bread Mix, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 5)

&

More Corned Beef Recipes

Here’s Your MMMM Delicious Mustard Sauce For Super Easy Crockpot Corned …

Isn’t it nice to have dinner mostly ready when you get home from a long day of furiously refreshing Wonkette at the office? A slow cooker makes that easy while minimizing the risk of burning your house down. Let’s make a corned beef in the crockpot and …

Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe for an Easy St. Patrick’s Day Meal

corned beef cabbage Attention leprechauns: St. Patrick’s Day is just 12 days away. Do you have your corned beef recipe ready? How do you like yours? We happen to like ours easy, nice and easy. That’s what slow cookers are for. So go ahead and have fun …

Brian Scott’s Favorite Corned Beef Recipe

I have always cooked my corned beef by boiling it with cabbage and potatoes and have always loved it that way, but this year I wanted to do something a little different. I remember my mother cooked her corned beef and then glazed it with a mustard glaze.

St. Patrick’s Day: Modernized Corned Beef recipe

To help you get ready for St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated Irish chef and TV personality Kevin Dundon features modern Irish country house cooking in his “Modern Irish Food” cookbook, which accompanies a 10-part series airing on PBS. Filmed at Dunbrody …

Glazed Corned Beef Recipe

St Patricks day is one of my favorite pauses in a regular schedule for one reason. Corned Beef. Of course a good corned beef sandwich can be had at any time of the year but being the only one around the house that really likes corned beef, I seldom …

#6/62: Venison Stew Recipe

by

My husband was a very successful deer hunter this past fall/winter and as a result we have venison in the freezer. I’ve never cooked venison before and was a little hesitant. Always heard venison tastes “gamey”. So I started off with venison stew, figured all the flavors and vegetables would cover any gamey taste. To my surprise it taste identical to beef stew!

Venison Stew recipe
Venison Stew

We are a big fan of  jerky and the dehydrator has been going pretty much non-stop. ( I love deer jerky, but that’s another post) With so much meat, and beef prices going through the roof, I thought venison would be better used to stretch our meat budget.

I’m pretty confident with soup and stews, so it was a natural transition. Was it a success? Would I be posting it here if it wasn’t? My daughter loved it so much she would eat two bowls at each sitting. Needless to say there was no left overs. Venison stew really tastes like beef stew.

Venison Stew recipe
Venison Stew recipe

The following recipe is a guideline. I’m a dash of this and a dash of that type of cook. Pour some of this in, a little of this, a little more, and…that looks good. So use your own judgement, get creative and feel free to substitute.

Venison Stew Recipe

  • 3-4 lbs venison (cubed into 1/2-1″ pieces)
  • 32 oz beef stock (homemade from shank leg bones)
  • 16 oz potato stock (water left over from boiling potatoes)
  • 20 oz can tomato sauce
  • Olive oil for browning
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 stalks celery
  • 1 frozen bag mixed soup vegetables
  • 3 potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 3 TBSP dried parsley
  • 1 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1 TBSP black pepper

Directions

1. Cube the venison, season well with seasoning salt and pepper

2. Pour 2 TBSP olive oil in skillet, sear & brown venison, do not cook all the way through.

3. Place browned venison in large stock pot

4. Alternate placing venison, vegetables, and seasonings in stock pot.

5. Add liquids and stir thoroughly

6. Heat to boiling

7. Set to LOW and simmer for 3-4 hours and stir occasionally.

8. The venison stew can be cooked, or left on low for many more hours as the flavors continue to blend. In only improves with time.

In the past few years I have learned to love the taste of deer meat. In Eastern Nebraska corn fed whitetail tastes just like Angus beef. Western Nebraska mule deer fed on sage need a little different seasonings and preparation. So my mother-in-law bought me a wild game cookbook.

If you don’t have home grown venison harvested by your favorite hunter with a rifle, muzzle loader, or bow then you can order venison or other wild game online.

The Sporting Chef’s Better Venison CookbookReal Meat Venison Jerky Dog Treats (12 oz)Buffalo Bills 10oz 100% Farm Raised 7Gourmet Game Steaks – Avg 2 LB Case (all sizes are approximate)Venison Medallions – 3 pieces, 4 oz eaVenison Ground Meat – 1 lb

More Soup and Stew Recipes

Recipe for Chocolate Covered Cherries that Taste Amazing

by

Anything covered in chocolate is divine, and chocolate cherries were my Dad’s favorite candy.

Learn how to make chocolate covered cherries at home. Perfect for a couples Valentines gift to each other. Or make as a special Galentines gift to yourself.

Enjoy my recipe for gourmet chocolate covered cherries in honor of National Chocolate Day, National Candy Day, or Valentines Day (hey you pick, I don’t need an excuse for chocolate)

Even people who don’t normally like chocolate covered cherries LOVE mine. You can leave the stems on, or buy stemless maraschino cherries. You can leave the stems on, or buy stemless maraschino cherries.

I normally make candies at Christmas, but homemade gourmet chocolate covered cherries are perfect for any special occasion.

homemade recipe for chocolate covered cherries

You don’t rush making these chocolate candies, the process of rolling the cherries and dipping takes time.

So enjoy, I don’t think mine will make it to Valentines Day

The Best Recipe for Gourmet Chocolate Covered Cherries

Ok, this is not my “own” recipe, but one I found on AllRecipes.  But I have a few secrets in making the process faster and easier.

The first is buying quality ingredients, which means no skimping on chocolate and using “real” butter and sugar.

The first is buying quality ingredients, that means no skimping on chocolate and using “real” butter and sugar.

Ok, this is not my “own” recipe, but one I found on AllRecipes.  But I have a few secrets in making the process faster and easier.

Secret Instructions on Making Chocolate Covered Cherries

Ok, there isn’t a secret to making chocolate covered cherries, just a few tips. First, gather your supplies. You will want to use really good chocolate.

If you’re going to go to all the effort why use plain almond bark. So get yourself some Ghiradelli Melting wafers, and try not to eat them during the process.

The best chocolate melting method is double boiler!

Why, because perfect melting chocolate needs to melt slowly, not under high heat in a microwave. If chocolate gets too hot it then congeals and gets lumpy. You don’t want lumpy chocolate. Put about an inch of water in the bottom pan and set your burner to medium. The water should not boil.

Then when you are ready to wrap and package to it to impress with red candy foils and cute little candy boxes.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers (for Candy MakingGhirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers (for Candy MakingNordic Ware Universal 8 Cup Double BoilerNordic Ware Universal 8 Cup Double Boiler

How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries

  1. Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry. (liquid will also lump chocolate
  2. In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth.
  3. Stir in confectioners’ sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary.
  4. Next, pinch off a teaspoon bit of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten in your palm
  5. Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Gather the excess sugar dough on the ends and pinch off. You want the thinnest layer of sugar paste around the cherry without any juice seeping through
  6. Place on waxed paper or parchment paper and place in the freezer to chill for one hour or until firm.
  7. Melt confectioners’ coating in a heavy saucepan over med heat. (see above)
  8. Dip each cherry and place on waxed paper lined sheets.
  9. Chill until completely set (trying not to eat them in the process)
  10. Wrap in candy foil wrappers
  11. Lastly, store in an airtight container in a cool place.
  12. Best after 1 or 2 weeks when the sugar paste melts and merges with the cherry juice. (yeah, if they last that long!)
Make chocolate covered cherries at home. This chocolate covered cherry recipe is perfect for a couples Valentines gift to each other. Or make as a special Galentines gift to yourself.

Don’t have the patience, or time, or ambition to try them yourself, then you can buy gourmet chocolate covered cherries and no one will complain. They make a great gift for Valentines Day, or just as an indulgent candy treat.

Where to Buy Gourmet Chocolate Covered Cherries

Maraschino Cherries - Belgian Chocolate Covered Cherries - 24 pieceMaraschino Cherries – Belgian Chocolate Covered Cherries – 24 pieceShari's Berries - 20 Hand-Dipped Classic Cherries - 20 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – 20 Hand-Dipped Classic Cherries – 20 Count – Gourmet Baked Good GiftsDouble Dipped Chocolate Cherries 1/2 Lb Box Mix- Milk & Dark ChocolateDouble Dipped Chocolate Cherries 1/2 Lb Box Mix- Milk & Dark ChocolateShari's Berries - 4 Caramel Pretzels and 20 Hand-Dipped Cherries - 24 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – 4 Caramel Pretzels and 20 Hand-Dipped Cherries – 24 Count – Gourmet Baked Good Gifts

Enjoy! If you make these I’d love to hear how your own homemade chocolate covered cherries came out and if they were as good as you expected.

If you like this then you’ll LOVE my homemade chocolate covered strawberries recipe! It’s even easier.

Day 287/365: The Best Caramel Apple Dip in the World

by

The Worlds Best Caramel Apple Dip

Found this Caramel Apple Dip recipe several years ago, and it’s the best I’ve every had. I should know,  I’m a caramel apple addict. Every year I lose my index card and have to dig for it again, but it always turns up in a drawer, or my recipe box, in the wrong section.

So I’m posting it here for posterity, then I can always do a search where ever I am. Yes, the recipe is at the bottom and I did eat all the apples on the plate and the 1/2 cup of dip in the bowl. Yes, I’m a pig, oink, oink, smile.

Caramel Apple Dip
Caramel Apple Dip

The fastest way I’ve found to slice apples is obviously with a STURDY heavy duty apple slicer, don’t get the cheap variety, but the ones with big handles for lots of leverage. If you’re slicing lots of apples, say for a Fall Harvest Party or a Halloween get together then you will want to treat them so they won’t turn brown.

How to Keep Sliced Apples From Turning Brown

Amco Dial-A-Slice Adjustable Apple Corer and Slicer

You can soak your apples in a bowl of water mixed with either citric acid and water  (found in canning supplies) pineapple juice, lemon juice, or a salt water bath. The choice is yours. Here are a few suggestions

  • Honey and Water: 2 TBSP per cup of water
  • Salt Water: 1/8 teaspoon per sup of water
  • Lemon Juice and Water: 1 Tablespoon per cup of water
  • Fruitfresh: 1 teaspoon per cup water

Caramel Apple Dip recipe
Caramel Apple Dip recipe

Caramel Apple Dip Recipe

Here’s the recipe as I found it in Taste of Home’s Simple & Delicious magazine 2006

Ingredients & Directions

  • 1 package (14 oz) caramels
  • 20 large marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted (mmm butter)
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream (full octane cream, mmmm)
  • Apple slices
  1. Place caramels in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute.
  2. Add marshmallows (which in my opinion don’t count as sugar) ;
  3. Microwave for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted, stirring occasionally.
  4. Whisk in butter and cream until combined.
  5. Serve with apple slices. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield 2 1/2 cups

I have made this every year and every year it is a hit. The last time was for a football and harvest moon party and I made a double batch and kept the dip warm in a small slow cooker. Seriously, there were kids filling cups of caramel to and scooping it out like candy. I’m the same way, my husband asks me, “Having some apples with your dip”, yup, this apple dip it THAT good!

Oster TSP100 Serving Platter with Center Warming PotHamilton Beach 33416 Party Crock Set, Red

Apple Recipes for Fall

My neighbor has apples and I’m looking for good apple recipes I can fix and freeze, or even can. Something besides applesauce, maybe even a good apple pie filling recipe. If you have one please share. In the mean time I’m going to be scouring Pinterest and some recipe books.

Apples Cookbook: 101 Recipes with ApplesThe Apple Cookbook, 3rd Edition: 125 Freshly Picked Recipes

These Are the Best Apple Recipes For Fall

Just as blockbusters leave movie theaters to make way for award-season films, so too must our summer produce pack up and leave stores. But fear not, because for each and every peach, plum and berry recipe we must bid goodbye for another season, …

Sweet and savory apple recipes for fall

It’s officially apple season. If you’re inundated with the fruit of fall, here are some sweet and savory recipes that can put your apples — and your stomach — to work. Click on the link in the slides for each recipe. Dutch apple pie. If you’re a fan …

5 irresistible apple recipes to bake this autumn

To get you in the mood for fall 2015, we’ve assembled some of our favorite apple recipes from the PennLive files. Apple Pound Cake. Ingredients: 4 medium-size tart apples; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour …

The Apple Recipes That You’ve Been Waiting For All Year

We’ve found 26 apple recipes to make sure you take advantage of fall’s greatest gift. And they’ll also help make sure you’re spending time in the kitchen, because there’s no better place to be in the fall than cozied up next to a warm oven with the …

14 Apple Recipes To Make With Your Orchard Haul This Fall

Labor day has come and gone, meaning it’s only a matter of time before warm days cool to sweater weather, and leaves begin turning. Autumn’s arrival brings a new batch of outdoor activities, and with orchards reopening to the public, apple picking …

Autumn appeal: Recipes for the bounty of apple season

I’ve reached into The Journal recipe archives for some easy ideas from the women who were helping run local orchards back in 1986. Because when it comes to apple recipes, local growers have some of the best. Other recipes come from 2006 and 2011.