Aug 31, 2016 |
The Unemployment Cookbook: Anna’s Meatloaf
One of my favorite recipes is Anna’s Meatloaf. Y’all know the story, right? Anna was my best friend in college. We worked together, hung out together, cooked together.
She would make this great meatloaf, and when I moved back home, she gave me the recipe. Like, gave me the recipe. As in, “Here. Use it, royalty free.” So I put it in my cookbook. [She did, of course, garner a free copy of The Unemployment Cookbook.]
Ever since, Anna’s meatloaf has been a go-to family favorite. Even the cats love it. [Read: “I Just Want to Eat My Stinkin’ Food!”]
Like most of the recipes in the The Unemployment Cookbook, Anna’s Meatloaf is both a stand-alone recipe, and a basic suggestion.
Most recently, I took it as a suggestion and added a few extras, which turned this basic dish into a hearty, flavorful new classic.
The Unemployment Cookbook: Anna’s Meatloaf, with McCormick’s Grill Mates Backyard Brick Oven Seasonings
The Unemployment Cookbook: Anna’s Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 small onion, diced
- 1/2 cup rice, cooked
- 1 egg
- 12 saltine squares
- milk
- McCormick's Grill Mates Backyard Brick Oven seasonings, to taste
Instructions
- Crumble saltine squares into a bowl. Add just enough milk to cover. Set aside to allow them to get soggy.
- In large bowl, mix ground beef, onion, rice, egg and a few dashes of seasonings.
- Add soggy crackers. Mix thoroughly.
- Shape into ungreased loaf pan. Top with more seasonings.
- Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2016/08/31/the-unemployment-cookbook-annas-meatloaf/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
Served with a side of vegetables or scalloped potatoes, Anna’s Meatloaf is perfect for cool autumn evenings and busy weekends. This hearty, warm, and easy recipe promises to bring your people to the table.
Ready for Dinner: Anna’s Meatloaf
Now it’s your turn: What are some of your go-to favorite recipes?
[Find the original Anna’s Meatloaf recipe and many others in The Unemployment Cookbook.]
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
[DISCLAIMER: Any outside product or company referenced in this recipe is not affiliated with Frankly, My Dear . . ., Molly Jo Realy, New Inklings Press, or The Unemployment Cookbook. Several years ago I won a #GrillMatesPack from Chatterbox and McCormick, and have been enjoying McCormick’s seasoning products since. I have not been otherwise compensated for any mention or reference in this or any other post.]
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Apr 3, 2016 |
Ground beef, green beans, mashed potatoes and memories.
So, y’all know I’m the new Foodie Columnist for Broken But Priceless Ministries, right? Every three months I get to prepare a meal, write about, take pretty pictures, then eat it. Not a bad way to get my name out there in the dog-eat-dog world of writing, am I right? [Dog-eat-dog. See what I did there?]
For April’s magazine [of course I’ll post the link when it’s available, silly of you to even ask!], I had a hard time deciding what to make. In the end, this family favorite won. Okay, it may have had something to do with the fact that I’d been asking my mother down the street to make it for me for the last month but whenever she said, “I can make it tonight” I always responded with “I’m too busy to come over.”
So long story short (or are we past that point, now?) I made it myself. I grew up on this dish. It’s as delicious in summer as it is in winter. The gravy thickens as it stands, which makes even the leftovers delicious. Serve it up with a side of squash or salad greens and you’ve got yourself a complete meal.
Hamburger Pie, from the Unemployment Cookbook
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium onion, diced
1 lb. Ground Beef
1 can (14 oz.) French style green beans, drained
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can water
1 box instant mashed potatoes
1 egg
DIRECTIONS:
Brown ground beef and onion. Spoon into 2-quart baking dish.
Cover with green beans.
Mix together soup and water, pour over green beans.
Cook instant mashed potatoes per package instructions. Beat in egg.
Spread on top of casserole.
Bake uncovered 350 for 30 minutes.
Not quite a fan? You can use sirloin or ground turkey instead of beef, and replace the green beans with mixed vegetables. For a real twist, use cheddar mashed potatoes.
However you make it, don’t forget the big gulp of sweet tea.
Happy eating,
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition
This recipe is from The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition, now available through New Inklings Press and Amazon.
Oct 9, 2015 |
Pumpkin Soup
October is a beautiful month, isn’t it? Full of crisp air, sweaters out of storage, leaves changing colors and crunching under your feet. The start of the holiday season before the holiday rush. I think October is my favorite month.
On Facebook, I asked “What are some of your favorite fall/harvest moments?” Each reply was unique to the individual commenter, but there was one running theme: pumpkin. It seems pumpkin everything is what gets people most excited about October.
The Pumpkin Grinch
Each year I share this photo. It was taken by a friend about ten years ago. We were at the local pumpkin patch when I spotted this pumpkin. It looks so much like the Grinch to me. I asked suggested begged my friend to photograph it for posterity. A much better way of keeping it than, say, buying the pumpkin only to toss it out in three weeks or less, don’t you think?
As I was going through the blog last weekend, working to make it a better experience for both you as a reader and myself as the writer [read Under the Hood], I realized I’d not posted many articles on food for quite some time. No recipes, no foodie photos. No reasons to salivate or say “I want to try that!” And I’m supposed to be a foodie person.
It’s also been too long since I’ve posted a Five Things Friday as well. No connecting of the dots between A, B, C . . . you get the picture.
What’s This Girl to do? Why, combine it all together, y’all! So welcome back, October. Welcome back, Food. Welcome back, Five Things Friday.
Let’s get this post started.
- Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Creme Frappuccino. Oh, come on. You know you saw that one coming. I may as well get it over with right away. The first week of September ushers us into that wonderful realm of cinnamon, spice, nutmeg, and that must-be-in-everything-from-now-until-Valentine’s-Day ingredient, pumpkin.
Autumn Bliss
Now . . . who’s not a fan of Starbuck’s? I can’t even talk to you if you’ve raised your hand.
- Soups. Now is the time of year when the slow cooker and Dutch oven live outside the cabinets. They’ll take up residency on the stove top and counter, and stay there until January. Homes everywhere will be filled with wonderful aromas, not-so-quick but definitely easy concoctions of broth, creams, and one-pot meals.
Homemade chicken soup . . . Good for the body and the soul.
I love boiling a whole chicken with added herbs and seasonings to make freezable broth and stock. The only part I throw away are the bones and skin.
- Adult beverages. Please. I’m an adult. I find no shame in admitting I’m a fan of adult beverages. This time of year, I’m all about the pumpkin beer. Am I right? That crisp, dry flavor deserves to be imbibed with something special. Like a pumpkin muffin. Or a bowl of chili. Or a breath of autumn air. And let’s not forget my new holiday classic: The Chocolate Martini.
Chocolate Martini made with Scharffen Berger Chocolate.
Remember when I won that Scharffen Berger gift basket a few years ago? And that beautiful coffee table book came with it? In those magical pages I discovered this magical recipe. My holidays are oh-so-much happier now.
- Casey’s Cupcakes. Even though It’s been over a year since I’ve visited my beloved Riverside and my most favorite place, The Mission Inn, I still long for Casey’s most delicious treats. If you’re in Southern California between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, I highly recommend you visit The Festival of Lights and indulge in a little holiday treat from Casey’s.
Glamorous Gingerbread at Casey’s Cupcakes
At any time of year, it’s an experience you’ll savor. (See what I did there?)
- And of course, last but not least, good for any day of the year, could there be anything better for This Southern Girl At Heart than a huge gulp of sweet tea?
Sweet Tea at Blue Ridge
It refreshes my body, it renews my soul. It reminds me of Blue Ridge and my trip to North Carolina. The writers’ conference. The connections. The beauty. We all need a little more sweetness in our lives, yah? Go on. Take a sip. You’ll be glad you did.
BONUS: To celebrate this unofficial beginning of the holidays, and the return of Five Things Friday with this Foodie Post, today only The Unemployment Cookbook Kindle edition is available for free download. Just click through the photo below to get yours.
The Unemployment Cookbook, Kindle edition
Happy start to the holidays. Happy eating.
Now it’s your turn. Leave a comment and tell me: What are some of your favorite foods this time of year?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . #FiveThingsFriday. What are your favorite foods this time of year? #pumpkineverything @realmojo68
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . #FiveThingsFriday The #Foodie Post. #October is a beautiful month, isn’t it? @realmojo68
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . #Starbucks #Pumpkinbeer #cupcakes A few of my favorite things. #FiveThingsFriday @realmojo68
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
Do you have a copy of The Unemployment Cookbook? Would you consider leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads? That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Jun 14, 2015 |
Look at those eyes!
Mewwo. Mom’s been busy so she hasn’t let me blog for a while. What’s up with that? She leaves in the morning and sometimes is gone until long after dark. She dances around singing things like “I’m Too Sexy For My Cat”. Excuse me? Should I take that personally?
And get this ~ she got the idea to let me blog . . . from a dog. A dog! Now, I’m all about making friends, and I’m sure Charlie Bear is nice and all that. I mean, he doesn’t look too big. In fact, he’s a little like the human sister’s owner at the grandparents’ house. But he’s still a dog. And I’m beginning to sense that Mom might be liking him. What’s a cat to do?
At least she still lets me cuddle up with her at night. When she was gone to her Writers Conference last month, the fur sisters decided we should all get along better. We thought maybe Mom had enough of our sqaubbling and toilet paper tantrums. She was gone for quite a while.
But she came back and we’re all good again. Don’t tell her, but I missed her. That’s why I lick her face each night. And bop her nose when she snores.
And to show that she missed us, she bought us new food. Not just new as in fresh, but new as in type.
She used to feed us the cat food with the four-letter word on the label. So it’s not the same four-letter word that humans use, but for me and my fur sisters it may as well have been. The four-letter-word food caused us upset stomachs and hairballs even though it was supposed to be for older, indoor cats.
Instead, she now gives us the Good Life.
Good Life vs. Four-Letter Word Food
She said something about real food, which is good because we’re Real Cats. Realy, we are. [Wait for it . . . There yah go. Realy.]
I’m going to tell Cousin Zoey about it. Maybe her people will spoil her. If not, well, that’s something to talk about at the next family reunion.
It tastes great. It fills us up faster, so we don’t each as much. Which means less upchuck and hairballs. Lots less. Which makes our mommy love us even more.
It’s a win-win situation.
I guess I’ll keep her.
Lizzie Love
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Life With Lizzie: My Mom Can Be Crazy
Meet Zoey
Mar 4, 2015 |
I love WinCo. But that’s not news, right? I love that they love me, too.
WinCo Wins – Cooking More for Less
Ask me any day of the week, and I’ll tell you, I’m in love with their Bulk Bins. You can buy as much, or as little, as you need. Are you shopping for one basic recipe, or hosting a large dinner party? They’ve got you covered.
From pastas and starches to snacks and candies, buying in bulk is crazy economical.
My favorite is their long white rice. It’s a staple in my house. At just pennies per pound, I can pick up five pounds of rice for less than half the price of any pre-packaged bag.
Last week began my Empty Nest. I thought cooking for one would be lonely, but instead I find it to be fun and inventive. Each meal preparation offers more leftovers, and I love planning foods that are freezer-friendly. With less groceries to buy, I’ll also be able to experiment more and create new recipes. I’m looking forward to sharing this new adventure with WinCo.
I love being in my kitchen, cooking and baking. But sometimes, I love staying with something familiar and easy. For my first week of eating alone, I cooked once. Once. And ate five times. Not bad for saving a few dollars while eating healthy.
Using my personal Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker, I steamed two salmon filets over white rice and diced green chilies in chicken broth.
Green Chili Chicken and Rice
The first night I ate both salmon, but typically I’d save one for the next night. Once the salmon was gone, I added a can of chicken meat to the rice mix. With each serving, I enjoyed a flour tortilla and a glass of milk. That’s an average of just $1.50 per meal.
Talk about filling and feeling good!
The extra benefit of using my rice cooker, is that once it cools down, I can store the pot in the fridge.
As usual, my relationship with WinCo is a Win-Win situation, and I can’t wait to create new #CookingForOne recipes, and more.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
WinCo Wins
My Real Italian Kitchen: Polenta and Sauce
Stocking up the Pantry
