Gluhwein

 Gluhwein

makes 6 servings

1.5 liter bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon

2-3 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

4-5 clementines

Sugar

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients except sugar to a crockpot or pot on low.

2. Heat until simmering then add sugar to taste.

Meatloaf (Oven)

 Meatloaf (Oven)

makes 6 servings

Meatloaf

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped

2 pounds 80/20 ground beef

1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoons black pepper

Topping

3/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon mustard

Instructions

1. Heat butter in a skillet; add onion and pepper, cooking until translucent. Set aside to cool.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Add the remaining meatloaf ingredients to a bowl; add COOLED onion mixture. 

4. Using hands, mix meatloaf together until well combined and form into a long loaf.

5. Bake in a loaf pan for 45 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, mix topping ingredients together.

7. After 45 minutes, pull out meatloaf and pour topping onto the loaf.

8. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.

9. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before serving (otherwise it will fall apart).

Lasagna Soup

 Lasagna Soup

makes 5 servings

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground Italian sausage

1 onion, chopped

4-6 cloves garlic, chopped

24 oz spaghetti sauce, your favorite

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

2 cups chicken broth

8 oz pasta, can be lasagna noodles or any will work

1 container of ricotta cheese (about 10 oz)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. In a large pot, add beef and sausage cooking until brown then remove meat and drain most of the fat.

2. Add onions and garlic cooking until translucent.

3. Add meat back in along with spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning, and 2 cups broth; bring to a boil.  You want a soup consistency, and if you need more liquid, see step 5.

4. Meanwhile, boil water and salt for pasta; add pasta and cook until al dente.

5. Once pasta is done, scoop it into the soup.  If soup needs to be thinned, add some pasta water.

6. Mix the cheeses together.

7. Serve soup with a scoop of cheese.

Peanut Butter Fudge

 Peanut Butter Fudge

makes 24 

1 cup butter

1 cup natural peanut butter (might need an additional 1/2 cup)

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

3-4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Melt butter and 1 cup peanut butter together, stirring until combined.

2. Add salt and vanilla.

3. Add sugar 1 cup at a time, stirring in between to combine. If by the 3rd cup, it looks dry, add the additional peanut butter and no more sugar.

4. Prepared a 8x8 or 9x9 square pan with buttered parchment paper.

5. Dump fudge on parchment and use a knife or hands to press into pan.

6. Refrigerate overnight to set.

7. Cut and serve.

Shake and Bake Seasoning

 Shake and Bake Seasoning

makes 1 cup (about 1 pound of meat)

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

1. Mix together.

2. Coat meat and cook accordingly.

3. Store in a ziploc bag in the freezer.

Cinnamon Rolls (Bread Machine)

 Cinnamon Roll Dough

makes 12

Dough

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup warm milk

2 eggs, beaten and room temperature

4 cups bread flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Filling

1/2 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

Icing

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/4-1/2 cup heavy cream

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Add dough ingredients to bread machine and use dough setting.

2. Once dough is completed, preheat oven to 150-170 degrees (whatever the lowest temperature is), and spray 13x9 pan with cooking spray.

3. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out dough to 12x18 rectangle.  If dough resists stretching, let it rest for a few minutes then try again.

4. Mix filling sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.  

5. Brush dough with melted butter then spread cinnamon sugar evenly.

6. Take the long side of the dough, roll into a log and use floss to cut into 12 cinnamon rolls.

7. Place cinnamon rolls in pan and cover with tea towel.  Place in oven for 45 minutes and turn off the heat.

8. Take rolls out of oven and heat oven to 350 degrees.

9. Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes.

10. Cream cheese and butter together.  Add vanilla and 1/4 cup cream; beat until mixed.  Add powdered sugar.  Thin to desired consistency with remaining cream.

11. Allow rolls to cool for 10-15 minutes then coat with icing.