August 20, 2009 Fancy Meatloaf,Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Apple Crumb Pie!

My brother is coming over for dinner tonight and we are going to celebrate his birthday. YEAH!

On the menu:

My Famous Meatloaf (its yummier than it sounds I promise)
Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes "DONT KNOCK EM' BEFORE YOU TRY EM', a recipe from "Down Home with the Neelys" on FoodNetwork and Homemade Apple Crumb Pie.

So dinner was YUMMY and a success! Greg had a great time and enjoyed his dinner.
My meatloaf was very moist and the mashed potatoes were perfect.
The apple pie was delicious, but fell apart a little when I served it. All and all it was a great night though!
Here are the recipes for those who would like.

Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes
(Before you turn your nose up at this recipe.. if your not a blue cheese fan, I have served this to people who dont like blue cheese and they LOVE THEM. It just gives it a little tang and is so creamy.)

2 pounds Yukon golden potatoes, washed and quartered
Salt
4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Freshly ground black pepper

Place potatoes in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium and cook until fork tender. Drain well. Add back to the pot that they were cooked in.

Meanwhile, heat butter and cream until hot. Add the crumbled blue cheese and stir together. Add sauce to potatoes and mash until smooth (I use an electric beater.) Season with salt and pepper.

FANTASTIC!

Famous MeatLoaf
Salad oil
1 carrot, small to medium dice
2 stalks celery, small to medium dice
1 medium onion, small to medium dice
2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dash hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
Dash Worcestershire sauce
3 slices bread
1/2 cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs
Ketchup
Directions
Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.

In a medium-sized saute pan, put 2 dribbles of salad oil and heat over medium-high heat.

Add the carrots, celery, and onions and saute, about 5 minutes. Put aside and let cool.


In large bowl ( I use a large stand mixer, but you dont have to) put the carrot mixture, ground beef and remaining ingredients, except for the bread, the bread crumbs and ketchup.


Soak the bread (any bread will do, I have used white bread, wheat or even hotdog buns. Use whatever you have on hand. White French bread seems to be the best in cold water, then squeeze water out (like a sponge) and drain it. Add to the ground beef and mix. (I use a stand mixer and it makes it much easier). Add the bread crumbs and mix. Roll into firm loaf.

I spread it on foil and pat it into a loaf by hand.

Take the foil and I lay it on the foil on a cookie sheet. Spread ketchup over the top, and place into preheated oven for approximately 45 to 55 minutes, or until cooked through. Take out and serve hot.

ENJOY!


Apple Crumb Pie
RECIPE:

1 Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches) "I make my own crust out of shortening, flour and vinegar, but you can use a pre made crust if you want"
6 cups chopped peeled tart apples (I use 5 Granny Smiths)
2 TBS butter, melted
2 TBS sour cream
4 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 TBS all purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
TOPPING:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cold butter

1. Line a 9 inch pie plate with pastry; flute edges.

In a large bowl, combine the apples, butter, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Spoon into pastry shell.
*(I have to tell you, I didnt realize this but didnt have lemon on hand while I was in the middle of this step. I freaked knowing my apples were going to turn brown very quickly, so I looked up a substitute in my cookbook and found you could sub cider vinegar for the lemon juice in a recipe. (1 tsp. of lemon is equal to 1/4 tsp cider vinegar.) And how perfect, I had apple cider vinegar on hand!!!! Who would of thought I would have apple cider vinegar but no lemon juice! Just a good tip to keep in mind!
2. For Topping, comine flour and sugar in a bowl; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 375' for 45-50 minutes or until the filling bubbly and the apples are tender. Cool on a wire rack.


"And That's What Is Delectable For Dinner Tonight!

CHEERS!