Bleu Cheese Butter

3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon fresh chives (optional)

Combine ingredients and serve a dollop on top of finished steaks.

Mushroom & Swiss Sirloin Burgers w/Balsamic Mayo

This is a Rachael Ray recipe.

1/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/3 pounds ground sirloin
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Steak Seasoning Blend or, coarse salt and pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling plus 1 tablespoon, 1 turn of the pan in a slow stream
4 crusty rolls, split
4 portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced
Coarse salt and pepper
4 slices Swiss cheese
3 tablespoons aged Balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup mayonnaise or reduced fat mayonnaise
Coarse black pepper
1/4 pound baby spinach
2 vine ripe tomatoes, sliced
2 scallions, chopped
4 romaine leaves, optional

Preheat grill pan or large nonstick skillet. Saute onions in a small pan over moderate heat for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Combine meat with Worcestershire sauce, Sauteed onion and steak seasoning blend or salt and pepper. Form 4 large patties. Drizzle patties with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil. Quick toast your split rolls, then add burgers to grill. Grill burgers 4 to 5 minutes on each side for medium well doneness.

Heat a small to medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add a little oil and mushrooms. Season mushrooms with a little salt and pepper and saute until just tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Pile mushrooms on top of burgers just before you are ready to take them off the grill or out of the pan. Fold each Swiss cheese slice in half and rest on top of mushrooms. Place a loose tin foil tent over the burgers and turn heat off under pan or grill. Allow the cheese to begin to melt down over mushroom and burgers, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Combine balsamic, mayonnaise and coarse cracked black pepper in a small dish. To assemble, place burgers with mushrooms and Swiss cheese on bun bottom. Slather tops of buns with Balsamic black pepper mayonnaise and baby spinach. Set burger tops in place and serve with sliced vine ripe tomatoes, drizzled with oil, seasoned with salt and pepper and garnished with scallions.

Mexican Lasagna

This is my original recipe (inspired by Rachael Ray) and it was a hit this week!

1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef (could also use turkey)
1 med. onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 peeled carrots, shredded
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 can (8oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz.) refried beans (I like black beans)
1/4 c. cilantro, finely chopped
3 Tb. chili powder
1 Tb. cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
6 flour tortillas (wheat of white)
1 (16 oz.) jar salsa
3 c. shredded cheese
1 1/2 - 2 c. crushed tortilla chips

Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, refried beans, and carrots. Stir together. Add chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and cilantro. Spray 9x13 w/nonstick cooking spray.

Layer the following:
2 tortillas (will overlap in middle)
1/3 of meat mixture
1/3 jar of salsa
1 c. cheese
Repeat layers 2 more times and top with crushed tortilla chips.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minues until bubbly and cheese is melted. Slice and serve. Can top with fresh cilantro, diced tomato, lettuce, sourcream, and/or more salsa if desired.

Serves 8

Italian Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf

This is my orginial twist on the classic meatloaf.

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. pork or turkey bulk sausage
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
2 eggs
1 1/3 c. milk
1 med. onion, finely chopped
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1 Tb. Italian Seasoning
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. pepper
4 deli slices provolone cheese
4 deli slices mozzerella cheese
Pasta sauce, if desired

Combine meats, oatmeal, eggs, milk, onion, parmesan, and seasonings. Spray two sheets wax paper w/nonstick cooking spray. Pour meat mixture on to one and cover with the other sheet. Press meat out to 1/2 in. thick rectangle, then remove top wax paper. Arrange cheese slices on top - keep it 1 in. from sides and ends. Gently roll the meatloaf, using the bottom wax paper to help. Seal ends and bottom seam and place in a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour - 1 1/4 hour or until no longer pink inside. During last 20-30 minutes, top with tomato pasta sauce if desired.

Makes 1 lg. meatloaf

Sloppy Joe

This is my take on the sloppy joe.

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. onion, diced
1/2 c. green pepper, diced (opt.)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes (petite diced would be really great!)
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
3 Tb. quick oats
1 Tb. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
dash of cayenne pepper

Brown beef, onion, and green pepper together. Add all other ingredients and simmer for 20 -30 minutes. Serve on buns. Makes 6-8 sandwiches.

Spaghetti & Meatballs (from Micah)

This recipe was sent to me by a good friend of mine. She said it originally came from allrecipes.com. Thanks Micah!

Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 C Italian bread crumbs
1 T dried parsley
1/2 C grated parmesan cheese
1/4 t black pepper
1/8 t garlic powder
2 eggs, beaten

Sauce:
3/4 C chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 C olive oil
2 (28oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes (I've used fresh and they are really good too!)
2 t salt
1 t sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
3/4 t dried basil
1/2 t pepper

Directions:In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, parmesan, 1/4 t pepper, garlic powder, and eggs. Mix well and form into balls. Store until needed.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar, and bay leaf. Cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 t pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Enjoy!

Sweet ‘n’ Tangy Pot Roast

I'm not sure where this recipe came from - maybe Taste of Home? This is AMAZING!

1 boneless beef chuck roast (3 lbs. or so)
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 c. water
1 c. ketchup
¼ c . red wine or beef broth
1 envelope au jous
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
3 Tb. cornstarch
¼ c. cold water

Cut meat in ½ and place in crockpot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a bowl, combine the water, ketchup, wine or broth, gravy mix, mustard, worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder; pour over meat. Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours or until meat is tender.

Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until gravy is thickened. Remove meat from slow cooker. Slice and serve with gravy.

Yield: 8 servings

Made-Rights

My mom made these for us growing up and we loved them! They are super simple but surprisingly tasty! Pepper is the key.

1 lb. ground beef
1 med. Onion, chopped
½ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt

Brown together. Serve as a loose meat sandwich on bread or bun with mayo and ketchup.

Apple Cider Roast

This is my original recipe. I served it with mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh rolls, and salad. I made gravy with the drippings. Everyone loved it!

2-4 lb. roast
1 c. apple cider
6-10 sprigs fresh thyme
6-10 sprigs fresh rosemary
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 med. onion, sliced
salt & pepper to your taste

Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Use the drippings to make pan gravy.

Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef, browned w/the onion)
1 sm. onion finely chopped
1 1/2 qt. tomato juice
1/3 c. sugar (I use less)
2 c. corn (I use frozen)
15 oz. chili beans (I use whatever I have on hand)
1 pkg. taco seasoning (I made my own: 1 Tb. chili powder, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, onion powder,crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. salt & pepper)

Combine all ingredients and heat through.

To Serve Top With:
Sour Cream
Corn Chips
Cheddar Cheese, grated

Meat Loaf

1 lb. ground beef
3/4 c. oatmeal
1 egg
2/3 c. milk
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 small onion, chopped

Combine all ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Oven Stew

8 potatoes, medium diced
10-12 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 lg. onion, sliced
1 can green beans (drain juice & save)
2 stalks celery, diced (opt.)
1-3 lbs. stew beef
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
Salt & Pepper

Layer in lg. casserole: meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, beans, and celery. Combine tomato sauce, reserved bean liquid, and water to make 2 c. Add 2 Tb. cornstarch and mix together. Sprinkle 1-2 tsp. salt and 1/2-1 1/2 tsp. pepper over layered stew. Pour liquids over all. Cover and bake at 250 degress for 5 hrs. May be assembled and refrigerated to bake later.

No Boil Lasagna

1 - 16 oz. pkg. lasagna noodles
1 qt. spaghetti sauce
1 lb. ground beef or sausage
1 c. water
1 - 15 oz. carton ricotta cheese
1 egg beaten
8 oz. shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend
1/3 c. water
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1 Tb. parsley flakes
dash nutmeg
salt, pepper to taste
1/2 c. parmesan cheese

Brown meat, add spaghetti sauce and 1 c. water, bring to a boil. In mixing bowl combine ricotta cheese, egg, mozzeralla, 1/3 c. water, 1/4 x. parmesan, parsley flakes, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
TO ASSEMBLE: Use uncooked lasagna strips bu rinse in hot water before layering in a 9x13 pan (about 4 lasagna strips fit in a single layer - 3 lengthwise, 1 crosswise).
Layers: 1 2/3 c. sauce, lasagna strips, 1/2 cheese mixture, 1 2/3 c. sauce, lasagna strips, remaining cheese mixture, 1 2/3 c. sauce, lasagna strips, remaining sauce, top w/1/4 c. parmesan cheese.
Bake at 375 degress covered w/foil for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 more minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting.