Dinner's ready... Avo's Meatloaf

That's right, I'm talking about mac and cheese, meatloaf, scalloped potatoes... they transport you back to that kitchen table where you set with your feet dangling and your napkin tucked in! I can remember the chrome table and vinyl chairs on Summit Street so well that I can even picture the window all steamed up from winter's cold breath. It was 1959 and dinner was on the table when Daddy walked in...

Avo's Meatloaf PRINT
Avo was Daddy's cousin, possibly the best cook in the family. I may be drummed out of the family after saying this...

3/4 cup applesauce

2 teaspoons salt

2 pounds ground chuck

1 cup bread crumbs

2 tablespoons minced onion

1 cup milk

Combine ingredients together. Form into a loaf and place in a baking dish. Place in a larger casserole and pour water into the bottom (this keeps the meatloaf moist). Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour.

* If desired you can top with 1 tsp. mustard, 2 T. brown sugar and 1/4 cup ketchup. Combine and pour on top of meat before baking.

Marcie's Mom's Macaroni and Cheese PRINT
Too simple to be considered special? Just make it and you will have a following!

10 ounces elbow macaroni

2 eggs
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups half and half
1 lb. grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Cook and drain the macaroni. In a large bowl lightly beat the eggs with dry mustard, salt and pepper and stir in the half and half. Add the cheese and the cooked drained macaroni. Pour into buttered 2 qt. casserole and bake 25 minutes. Put under the broiler 1 minute to brown and make a little crust on top. Another way to top is by dotting with butter and crumbled Ritz crackers at the end, watch carefully when you put it under the broiler or they will burn!

Scalloped Potatoes with Sausages PRINT
1/2 lb. breakfast link sausages
4 cups peeled baking potatoes, sliced
salt and pepper
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups hot milk

Brown sausages well, drain on paper towels. Preheat oven to 350. Slice the potatoes very thin and separate the onion slices into rings. Sprinkle each layer with slath and pepper. In a large saucepan melt butter and whisk in flour, cook briefly.  Slowly whisk in hot milk, then pour over potatoes. Cover tightly with foil and bake one hour. Remove foil and place breakfast links on top. Bake uncovered 15 minutes or more until potatoes are tender.

Mom's Beef Stew PRINT
2 lb. stew meat, in 1" chunks
flour for dredging
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
4 cups beef broth
8 red potatoes, unpeeled and quartered
8 carrots, sliced
4 stalks celery, sliced
1 whole onion, large dice
tomato juice
parsley, chopped

Dredge meat in flour, Melt butter and oil in large pot, cook beef just to lightly brown then add the garlic and cook one minute. Add the broth and simmer covered for one hour on low heat. Add potato, onion, carrots and celery, simmer for another 30 minutes. Add tomato juice, just enough to make a nice gravy consistency. Salt and pepper to taste.

Potato Heaven PRINT
Feeling blue, do you need a hug? This will cure what ails you, from a cold to a heartache.
Take about 1 1/2 cups leftover mashed potatoes and form them into firm little pancakes. Dip in flour, melt butter in a small skillet and put the potato pancakes in. Cover and cook slowly until browned on both sides, adding more butter if needed. Salt and pepper and enjoy!

Betty's Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies PRINT
Pretty enough for company!

1 box of brownie mix for a 13×9 inch pan
(Make brownies according to the directions on the box)
Cheesecake batter
8 ounces package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
Topping
1/3 cup Raspberry Jam, warm slightly in the microwave to soften
1/2 Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Pour brownie batter into a greased 13×9 inch pan. Pour cheesecake batter on the top of the batter. Melt jam a little in the microwave and pour on top of that. Swirl jam and cheesecake batter through the brownie batter with a butter knife. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips. Bake for around 25-30 minutes at 350. Be careful not to over bake. Cool to room temperature, cut into 15 brownies.