My Meatloaf Peppers

Meatloaf is a staple in our house. Over the years I've perfected it, at least to our liking. There is that special seasoning, TexJoy, that is the key ingredient! I have a roast in the crock pot HERE using TexJoy too, which is fantastic as well. So to "spice" this meatloaf up, I'll put them in some green peppers--it adds an entire new level to my meatloaf.

MEATLOAF PEPPERS

1 pound extra lean ground beef
4 oz tomato paste
1 egg,  lightly beaten
20 crackers [Club multi-grain are the best!], crushed
1-1/2 teaspoon TexJoy
4 green bell peppers

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix the first 5 ingredients into a large bowl and mix until well combined. Divide mixture into 4 parts.
• Cut tops off of peppers and clean out the seeds. Place into a square baking dish (or 2 loaf pans). Fill each pepper with 1/4 of the meat mixture.
• Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, or until center reads at least 160 degrees F.

PMM #3 & Almond Sugar Cookie Bites

I just realized that I haven't posted this recipe! Eeeeek! Its the best, and the easiest to make on the spot. I like making a huge batch of the cookie part and freeze the ones I'll use later. This is a pampered chef recipe, but I can't find the recipe, so I'm guessing the amounts. Have no fear, this isn't an exact science. Just keep having faith. =)

  ALMOND SUGAR COOKIE BITES

1 cup almonds, chopped up really small
1 package sugar cookie dough [Pillsbury has great dough--in the biscuit section at your grocery store]
3 or 4 small strawberries
2 or 3 kiwi's
4 oz Marscapone cheese
1 cup homemade whipped cream
Lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan.

Cut about a teaspoon off the sugar cookie dough and roll it in chopped almonds and place it in one of the mini muffin cups. Repeat until all the mini muffin cups are full. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until very lightly brown. Remove to wire rack and cool completely.

Whip together whipped cream and marscapone cheese until blended. Add in vanilla and a tablespoon of lemon zest. Place a dollop on each sugar cookie muffin.

Slice kiwi and strawberries in small slices. Place one of each on each bite and then sprinkle with a little more lemon zest.

Make sure you have enough--they go very quickly!
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Now for my Penny Meal Monday recipe....

CLASSIC MEATLOAF WITH MASHED POTATOES

These are more thing that I keep on hand for such an emergency. It does take an hour to cook, so keep that in mind.

ground beef: $1.49; potatoes: less than $1.00; other add-ins: about $0.75; TOTAL: less than $3.25!

For the meat loaf, mix until blended the ground beef, egg, 1/2 package of crackers [picture shown is full package] a heaping spoon of tomato sauce [shown is paste--grabbed wrong one for picture!] and sprinkle about 2 teaspoons seasoning [shown is what I always use--TexJoy]. After mixing, press into glass loaf pan and cook on 375 degrees F for 1 hour. Serve with mashed potatoes!