Heading into Fall

This is my first post on my new blog, here goes it .... 

Enjoying a long weekend with an empty house, I decided to actually make dinner. Something that didn't consist of cheese, bread or pasta.

A week ago tells a story and the story goes ... I decided to make what I call a homemade pizza, my version.   I preheated the (new) oven (as one normally does).  Almost immediately I smelled something that smelled much like marshmallows, s'mores anyone?  I kept busy prepping what should have been a delicious combination of my favorite pizza toppings only to notice that the sweet smell of marshmallow was starting to smell like burnt toast.  I checked the oven and there was nothing alarming inside, no burning remnants of the last casualty.  Even so, I stared perplexed into the oven as to what was causing the odor.  Something told me to check the storage drawer, it was so hot to the touch, as I opened the drawer I discovered the culprit.  Inside my mother (yes, I stilllll live with my mother) stores obvious things: small bakeware, trivets, cooking utensils and potholders, please note the last item. This little SOB was on fire, not like fuego but really on fire.  I had two thoughts: 1.) douse with water or 2.) call 911, I chose the latter. Thank gawd I did, not only because the fire was put out and the damage was minor (could have been a lot worse) but also because the city sent 12 lovely man to extinguish my fire. 

Fast forward 1 week + 1 new stove, I decided to start a new relationship.  Trust me, I was terrified just preheating the new guy but let me tell you, I now have a restored faith.   

Here is a new take on a classic American dinner ... Mini Meatloaves

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb. extra lean sirloin
• 1 pkg. (6oz.) Stuffing Mix - Used Sage
• 1 c of water
• 1 1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1 cup of spaghetti sauce - used Vodka sauce 
• 7.5 oz. (1/2 container) Lowfat Ricotta

1. Preheat oven to 375. Mix meat, stuffing, water and seasoning until blended. Press evenly into 12 med muffin cups, sprayed with cooking spray, make an indentation in center of each cup. 
2. In a mixing bowl, combine sauce and ricotta. You may need to eyeball a little more or less of either. 
3. Spoon sauce/ ricotta mixture into the centers of each cup. 
4. Bake for 30 min or until loaves are cooked through. You may also add cheese to top if desired. I cooked mine for 35 min. 

Serves 6 or more depending on what else you are serving. 

 

Voila,  mini loaves are ready for tasting. I also paired mine with mash potatoes and biscuits. I should have probably settled on a vegetable in place of the potato but, oh' well.

Bon Appetite !