Not Your Mama’s Meatloaf

I got this idea from my Nana’s meatball recipe. She included raisins in her meatballs which gave them a sweet delicious taste that made you yearn for more.  Well my husband loves raisins, but does not love meatloaf. I on the other hand adore meatloaf, it’s just one of those dishes you crave and as you devour it, it gives you a big “meatloaf” hug telling you everything is going to be alright.  Naturally, one chilly evening I was craving it, however I knew the hubby wouldn’t be too thrilled to come home to a dish that he has told me many of times he would not eat.  Well my craving outweighed my husband’s desires (surprise!), so I decided to play off my Nana’s meatball recipe and include something he loves into a dish he hated so much.  Now it’s a staple in this Dumont household, easy to make, easy clean up and yummo!

1 lb. Turkey Meat

Approx. ½ cup of Raisins

½ cup of Breadcrumbs

¼ of a red onion chopped

 1 egg beaten

¼ cup of milk

¼ Tsp. dried basil

Salt and pepper

4 slices of bacon

1 Tbsp. of Cranberry Mustard (This is key! Recommend this on sandwiches as well!)



Must have in your  kitchen!



2 Tbsp. of Ketchup

1 Tbsp. Brown Mustard

2 Tbsp. of brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl mix meat, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, milk, basil, salt, pepper and raisins.  Mix cranberry mustard, ketchup, brown mustard and brown sugar.  In meatloaf pan put meat mixture in. Take mustard and ketchup mixture and spread evenly on top.  Cut uncooked bacon in half and lay on top of the meatloaf so they are covering the top completely. Place in oven for 1 hour, until completely cooked. Serve with mashed potatoes and peas and feel the love.

Bacon, Tomato & Asparagus Frittata

Saturday mornings are my favorite. I think it's the combination of not having to go work, getting to snuggle with my hubby for a bit and that I actually have time to cook one of my favorite meals of the day, breakfast.   This morning I was inspired by Spring coming around the corner and made a bacon, tomato & asparagus frittata.

6 Eggs
2 Tblspn of cream
5 Asparagus spears chopped to 1/2 inch pieces
1 large Plum tomatoe chopped or 6 cherry tomatoes halved
4 slices of bacon chopped
1 cup of Asiago Cheese (or whatever is on hand)

EVOO

Salt and Pepper

In over safe sautee pan cook bacon in a little bit EVOO. Once cooked put on towels to absorb the grease.

Next give a little more EVOO to pan and sautee asparagus and to tomato until soft. Meanwhile whisk 6 eggs and 2 tablespoons of cream together add some salt and pepper. Add egg mixture to pan along with bacon and cheese. Let cook on stove top on about medium heat until eggs are almost cooked, but still a little runny. Put under the broiler until full cooked about 4 mintues. Scoop out of the pan  with spatula.  Enjoy!

Chicken Broccoli and Ziti

This recipe I got from my friend and fabulous hairstylist.  It sounded so hearty and delicious that I had to try it for my next "family dinner" night with my husband and friends.  This dish was so delish that I jumped up and down with delight when I had my first taste. This is a MUST DO!  Thanks Nicole and I am so excited to try more of your yummy dinnahs!

(sorry I don't have a photo, I was so excited about it I forgot to take a picture!)

3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
Chopped medium onion
EVOO
1 tsp Fresh Basil
Salt and pepper
2 lbs of chicken breast (cut up in chunks and dredged in flour, browns & sears the meat)
Large head of Broccoli, cut 
Optional :1 lb of sausage (casing removed)
1 lb of ziti
Approx Chicken stock (1 to 1 1/2 cans (15oz))
Approx Quarter bottle of a dry white wine
Approx 2cups Grated Parmesan cheese

In bottom of big pot drizzle EVOO. Once heated drop in the onions and garlic so onions are translucent. Add you Salt and pepper and basil. Meanwhile get the water for your pasta going (don't forget to salt the boiling water! Its your one chance to flavor the pasta)!  Add your chunks of chicken dredged in flour into the EVOO, onions and garlic, making sure there is enough room in the pot for all chunks.  Let them brown evenly on all sides. (Optional: You can add sausage here if you have enough room in pot. Otherwise cook in other pan and add with the stock).  Add your chicken stock and wine...this you will need to eyeball as this liquid is what the Broccoli will wilt in. Keep in mind some liquid will cook off. Once wilted some start adding the naughty...the Parmesan cheese. Add in increments and stir. I believe it was about 2 cups...but taste as you go! :)  Once your pasta is done serve either mixed together or separately along with some yummy bread! Enjoy!

Sweet Salad

I love this salad, it was first introduced to me at UF at my favorite lunch spot. I have made this salad with a few variations, using blue cheese instead of feta,  toasted walnuts or almonds instead of pecans and lastly topping it off with a Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing instead of the Dijon mustard one I have made below.


Salad
1 package of Spring Salad Mix
1/4 cup dried cherries (eyeball it)
1/4 of thinly sliced red onion
1/4 cup of Feta
Handful of Toasted pecans

Dressing
1/4 cup Dijon Mustard
2 tablespoons or so of maple syrup (depends on how sweet you want it)
1 teaspoon of white vinegar (cuts through sweetness and gives it a bite)
Drizzle in EVOO and whisk to right consistency
salt and pepper to taste

Naughty

It's time I introduced Diesel to this blog...clearly he is not a recipe nor an ingredient,  but he is a big supporter of my cooking and a great helper with clean up (licking the floors). Diesel is a 6 year old Puggle (Pug and Beagle mix) that has run my show since the day I bought him and I have loved every minute of it (well almost every minute). So to add some more flavor to this blog, here is my first post about Diesel the Puggle.

This is a big naughty in our house. We bought a new couch (which of course I picked out and begged my husband for) and it is the ultimate, coziest, comfiest couch in the planet. Anyone that has come to our place can vouch for that. The minute you sit down you are sucked in and all of a sudden even the idea of moving around or getting motivated to do something becomes a foreign concept.  This ultimate, cozy, comfy couch came at a price though and in my negotiating with my husband I promised if we got this couch, the dog, Diesel, would not be allowed on it. We have had the couch for about  six months now and I held true to my promise until about a two months ago when while working from home I walked past the living room and saw Diesel for the first time on the couch sun beaming down on him. I stopped in my tracks and looked at him, he whipped up his head from his blissful sleep and looked at me back with "oh no she caught me being naughty" look that only dogs can do. Little did I know  that was a turning point for the couch enforcement as I just continued to walk by like I didn't notice. And now ever since Diesel had a taste of the ultimate, cozy, comfy couch he can't stop himself from jumping up! So frequently I catch him on days like this following the sun around the couch, sleeping  in the ultimate coziest comfiest bliss.  We both know its wrong but I turn my head and don't peep a word to my husband. Its our dirty little secret.

Court's "Tater" Soup

This dish really gives you that warm and cozy feeling during those cold winter months! I was introduced to this recipe from my sister's best friend Courtney.  Courtney prepared this dish for my sister and I after we got in a serious car accident back in 2003. So now whenever I make this dish it screams love, warmth and friendship to me. Thanks Court for sharing this with us and I am always reminded of your kindness during that difficult time!

Ingredients (serves 4)

 5-6 Medium Maine Potatoes (Peeled, Boiled and cut up in hearty chunks)
1/2 cup of Sour Cream
1 1/2 cups of Half and Half (Can use Milk, but why? :))
1 can of Chicken broth (low sodium)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Garnish
Cheddar Cheese
Bacon
Scallions

After draining potatoes put back in hot pot. Take 1/4 of them and mash up with a little stock in a separate bowl and put back in pot. Add Sour Cream, Half and Half and about 1/2 cup of Chicken Broth and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to boil and then reduce heat and let simmer for about 30-45 minutes so all flavors combine. Use remaining Chicken Broth to gain right consistency. 

Top with shredded Cheddar Cheese, Bacon and scallions and sever with warm crusty bread. Enjoy!

Garlic Buttah

I saw this in one of my cookbooks and I thought it would be the perfect pairing with the flank steak I cooked for my sister and brother in law. I was nervous at first it wouldn't taste right, but it turned out just perfect and the family was quite impressed! It made an ordinary steak into something that was mouthwatering delicious.

1/4  cup butter (room temperature)
1 garlic clove
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano

With fork whip butter, set aside. Take garic clove and chop into small pieces. Sprinkle salt on garlic and smush knife on the chopped garlic to form a paste. The salt helps break it down. Once finished put into butter along with spices and whip again. Voila Garlic Buttah!