Home-made Meatloaf and Mac n' Cheese

So I have never been a big fan of meatloaf, but I got this recipe last year after watching a Paula Deen show and it looked so good I had to try it. Let me say that this is probably Kevin's favorite dish I have made...or so he says. Hunter likes it too, which says a lot since he's going through another vegetarian-like phase right now. It's super easy, I usually just make it while they are napping and then just stick it in the oven later on. Kevin's parents came over for dinner night before last and we were so hungry that I forgot to get a picture before we dug in!

Meatloaf

For the glaze:
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar (I used dark b/c that's what I had)

for the meatloaf:
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion finely chopped ( I only use maybe half)
3 tablespoons ketchup, or more if desired
2 large eggs
1 slice white bread, torn into pieces
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350. In a small bowl whisk together all the glaze ingredients and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine all the meatloaf ingredients and mix well. Press the mixture into a 9x5 in loaf pan. Bake for 30 min. Remove from oven and brush some of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for 30 more minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes, then brush with more glaze. (this may sound weird, but after the first 30 minutes in the oven, I usually drain off any oil in the pan before putting back in the oven-your choice) Enjoy!

The Lady n' Sons Mac and Cheese

This is another paula deen recipe that I found out of her cookbook and have made several times. I think I like it because it reminds me of Luby's mac n' cheese for some reason.

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups grated cheddar cheese ( I may have used a little more)
3 eggs beaten
1/2 sour cream
4 tablspoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 salt
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350. After macaroni has been boiled and drained, add Cheddar cheese while macaroni is still hot. Combine remaining ingredients and add to macaroni mixture. Pour into casserole dish and bake for 35 min. Top with additional cheese if desired, and bake 5 more minutes

BEST EVER WAFFLES

I thought I would start off the first recipe with an all-time favorite of my son Hunter (who is a picky, picky eater these days). I got this recipe out of a Southern Living magazine years ago, and its one of our favorites when we decide to have a big breakfast or better yet breakfast for dinner. The club soda mixed in makes them super light and fluffy, and soooo yummy. Hunter gobbled up 3 last night, I won't tell how many we devoured. **I also freeze any leftover waffles, sometimes even make a 2nd batch....they are super simple to just pop into the toaster in the morning for a quick breakfast!

You will need: 2 cups all purpose baking mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup club soda

Stir together first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; add club soda, stirring until batter is blended. Cook in preheated, greased waffle iron until golden brown. **note-the club soda will fizz up a lot when poured in, keep stirring until the fizz goes away and most of the lumps are gone.

New Years Resolution...a few months late

Well, I'm trying something new here with a separate recipe blog, in addition to our family blog (which I already can't keep up with). My goal since the new year started was to organize my huge ugly green binder full of old recipes, magazine tear outs, etc. and to somehow get it all on the computer so it would be easier to see all the meals we have to choose from, since that is always such a tough question for us in this house.....what's for dinner tonight????

I have developed a new passion for food and cooking over the last few years-maybe it has been our addiction to watching food network (which makes me want to eat ALL the TIME), or just trying to find some kid-friendly dishes that my "picky eaters" will call yummy. I think over all this has turned into somewhat of a hobby for me, which I think I needed, and I'm truly enjoying it.

I will be the first to admit that I have no "natural" cooking talents. Pretty much all the recipes that will be on here are not of my own creation. Many I have found in magazines, box covers, from family members, or more recently on other blogs I've been inspired by, and I've just changed them enough to make them our own. My husband, on the other hand, does have the natural cooking gene. He can come up with some pretty tasty things.....all on his own. I told him I was doing a recipe blog, and I think he's secretly planning some good meals, because I told him there would be pictures involved, and I know he wants to show off his skills:)

Anyway, I feel like I've gotten a pretty hefty stash of respectable recipes over the last several years, so my goal is to start making them again and share the really good ones with you! I know how excited I get over finding a really good recipe, so please feel free to send me some of yours too!