QUICK AND EASY MEATLOAF--MUFFINS!

This is something I came up with one day when I was in a hurry and didn't want to wait an hour for a large meatloaf to bake!!

YOU WILL NEED: A PACKAGE OF MEATLOAF SEASONING, THE AMOUNT OF THAWED FRESH GROUND BEEF THAT IT REQUIRES, 1-2 LARGE MUFFIN PANS, AND SPRAY OIL OR BUTTER.

Pre-heat oven to the seasoning package recomendation.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the beef and seasonings together thoroughly.

Spray oil or butter the muffin pan. Make meatloaf balls to about 3/4 the size of the muffin holes and press them in. If your pan is full and you still have more mix left then break out the second muffin pan and finish filling it up too!

Some folks like ketchup (or ketchup conglomeration)baked on top of meatloaf, you may add this when it about 2/3 done cooking as not to burn this topping.

Place in the middle rack of the oven and set a timer! It should be about done in 30 minutes or so instead of an hour as with the traditional loaf style shape.

Meanwhile, (according to my wife!)the ONLY side dish for meatloaf is corn and mashed potatoes!! So, get that going too!

p.s. The higher grade of beef used, the less grease you will have in the pan holes when it is done cooking. It may seem a little drier though too. I like to use an 80/20 grade of beef. Either way, you can always lift them out when done and set them onto some paper towel for degreasing them a bit.

Enjoy!

EASY HOMEMADE CHICKEN & VEGGIES "POT PIE"

You will need these ingredients: BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST(THAWED), CANNED CARROTS, CANNED POTATOES, CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP, CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP, YOUR CHOICE OF CHICKEN SEASONING PACKAGE, PIE DOUGH.

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.

Unroll the pie dough and line your greased baking pan with it. The second pie dough will be used to place on the top after folding in everything.

Cut chicken breats into bite size cubes. Apply a minimal amount of oil/butter of choice into a skillet and add chicken cubes and seasonings. Stir till browned and fully cooked. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add your amounts of the carrots, potatoes, and soups. Fold in the chicken now and mix it all up real good. Any desired additional seasons should be added at this step.

Pour it all into the pan that you prepared earlier.

Take that second pie dough and apply it on the top off the mixture.

Throw it in the oven and it should be ready in about 30 MIN--APPROXIMATELY--READ THE COOKING TIME FOR THE PIE DOUGH AS A REFERENCE---OR JUST CHECK IT SO THAT THE BOTTOM DOESN'T GET OVERCOOKED!!

This is pretty much a complete meal in itself but, add a side dish if you like or have a salad while it's baking.

EASY BEEF STEW

It doesn't get much easier than this! Just buy the amounts that suit your needs.

Beef stew cubes, canned carrots, canned potatoes, gravy of choice(I use a canned Campbell's brown gravy), salt, pepper.

Hint: While you prep and cook the meat, open and combine all other ingredients into a large pot and heat them up. Stirring as necessaary. Now how simple is that?!

Ok, Depending on your supplier, cut cubes into smaller cubes. Brown the cubes in a pan with salt and pepper and your choice of oils/butter. Simmer till tender, or throw it into a pressure cooker and let it hiss for about 10 min. It should be about as tender as its going to get by then. Either way, drain when done. Then, fold in the meat into that large pot of everything else that is now hot. Stir, and your done!

Add whatever makes you happy into the mix! i.e. onion, celery, mushroom, other seasonings, etc...

A great side dish, of course, is homemade mashed potatoes!! Mmmm, my fav!!

Don't forget some bread, too! You gotta clean up that plate somehow! Enjoy!