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My Kitchen

BBQ Bacon Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on August 1, 20242024-08-01
in My Kitchen, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

My kids (and hubby) LOVED this recipe.  It reminds me of a hamburger without the bun.  The recipe is from the Pampered Chef Dinner in your Deep Covered Baker cookbook.  There are conventional oven instructions at the bottom of the post if you don’t have a deep covered baker.  I also didn’t have the BBQ rub, so I improvised with BBQ sauce and it worked okay for us.

*Mine didn’t look nearly as good as the picture

8 ounces fresh mushrooms
1 tbsp vegetable oil
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled, divided
3 slices white sandwich bread, crust removed
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp smokey bbq rub, divided
2 garlic cloves pressed
1/2 tsp each salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds 85% lean ground beef (I used 93%)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup ketchup

1.  Thinly slice mushrooms. Heat oil in 12-in skillet over medium high heat 1-3 minutes or until simmering. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until mushrooms begin to brown. Remove Skillet from heat. Set aside 1 tbsp of the crumble bacon. Add remaining bacon to mushrooms; mix well.

2.  Meanwhile, cut bread into cubes. In stainless 6-qt mixing bowl, combine bread, milk, onion, parsley, egg yolk, 2 tbsp of the rub, pressed garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add beef to bread mixture; mix. place two-thirds of meat mixture in deep covered baker form into an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-in loaf. Gently press down the center of the loaf to create a well. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese in the well. Top with bacon mixture and an additional 1/2 cup of the cheese. Place remaining meat mixture over filling press to seal.

3.  Microwave, covered, on high 14-17 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees in the center. Carefully remove baker from microwave, using oven mitts. Meanwhile, combine ketchup and remaining rub; stir. Brush Ketchup mixture over meatloaf. Microwave, covered, on high 3-5 minutes or until internal temperature is 160 degrees in the center. Sprinkle remaining cheese and reserved bacon over top of meatloaf; let stand, covered, 10 minutes before slicing.

Conventional Oven Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare recipe as directed.  Bake, covered, 30-35 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 14 degrees F.  Brush meat loaf with ketchup mixture.  Bake, covered, an additional 5-7 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.

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Filed Under: My Kitchen, Recipes

In The Kitchen: Heavy Cream Substitute Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on May 13, 20242024-05-13
in Frugal Living, My Kitchen, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Heavy cream substitute1


Heavy Cream Substitute Recipe

I’m having a little fun in the kitchen today  making a Boston Cream Cake for John’s Birthday!  Oh how I love baking and cake decorating!!  😮  Anyway, I wanted to share this quick and easy recipe with you since I was making it for my chocolate ganache.  I didn’t have any Heavy Cream on hand and I didn’t want to stop what I was doing to run to the store either.   So, I used what I had on hand.  This is also an inexpensive alternative because the store bought cream can be quite pricey.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup butter

Directions:
(1)  Melt the butter
(2)  Pour it into the milk, and stir
(3)  Use in place of one cup of heavy cream

*****Tip: If you use low-fat/skim milk, whisk in a tablespoon of flour to the mixture to thicken.

Yields: 1 cup (Store any extra in the refrigerator)

Note: This will NOT whip!  It can NOT be used to make fresh whipped cream.
View Other Recipes Here!


Do you prefer to make your own Heavy Cream Substitute?

12 comments

Filed Under: Frugal Living, My Kitchen, Recipes

15 Easy Side Dishes

by Dana Zeliff on June 10, 20212021-06-10
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Easy Side Dishes

Need ideas to spice up your meals but don’t have a lot of time?  Try these 15 Easy Side Dishes below.  You’re sure to find delicious sides to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.  I’m particularly partial to brussel sprouts and asparagus.  What are your favorite go-to easy side dishes?

Easy Side Dishes

 

1. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
2. Apple Bacon Coleslaw
3. Crack Potatoes
4. Drunken Lemon Orzo
5. Grilled Asparagus, Cauliflower & Mushrooms
6. Brussel Sprouts w/ Bacon & Shallots
7. Parmesan Orzo
8. Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Rice Salad
9. Mexican Corn Salad
10. Cajun Style Sweet Potato Fries
11. Mushroom Pull Apart Bread
12. Cucumber Salad
13. Asian Inspired Chopped Salad
14. Bacon Parmesan Ranch Potato Salad
15. Tuscan Style Garlic Bread

Bonus:

16: Easy baked carrots recipe
17. Quick Easy Biscuits

You might also like 22 Quick and Easy Vegetable Recipes

2 comments

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Fresh & Delicious – The Best Pico de Gallo Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on March 27, 20212021-03-27
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Oh, how I love fresh Pico de Gallo!

Pico de Gallo makes a great topping for all my favorite Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and nachos.  It’s also a fantastic dip – perfect to scoop with salty tortilla chips. Sometimes I just eat it with a spoon – and other times with a bit of avocado. It’s so versatile,  you’re friends will be begging you to bring what will soon be pronounced as the best pico de gallo recipe to all your get togethers. This recipe is similar to my favorite Chipotle pico de gallo recipe. The red onion really makes the recipe and gives it that special Chipotle flavor.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can easily adjust it to your tastes. My recipe is a mild version as Lucy and I don’t like our pico de gallo spicy.  Derrick would add in 2 jalapeños if he wasn’t sharing with us. You could also leave the seeds in to kick the heat up a notch. I recommend starting with less jalapeño and adding a bit more until you get to the desired level of hotness.

Prep time is approximately 10 minutes with an hour needed before serving.  Serving size is about 4 but varies depending on the amount of pico you want to eat!

[Read more…]

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Homemade Fruit Sorbet Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on February 28, 20212021-02-28
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Fruit Sorbet Recipe
{Pin It}

As temperatures start to warm up, this fresh fruit sorbet recipe will hit the spot. It is a great palette cleanser, a perfect light dessert, and much healthier than store bought. This literally tastes like biting int a fresh, ripe piece of fruit – but even better. PLUS you can feel good about giving this to the kids on a hot day over an unhealthy scoop of processed ice cream.

My favorite combination is Cantaloupe but you can also use; Honeydew, Watermelon, Peaches, Mango’s, or Strawberries. Use whatever is fresh and in season for optimum flavor.

This recipe has basically no Weight Watchers points except for the sugar.  Read below to see an alternative to make this a super low point value treat.

Fruit Sorbet Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh fruit
¼ cup coconut water
2 Tbsp. Lime juice
¼ cup granulated sugar

[Read more…]

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Weight Watchers Oatmeal {Fabulous Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal}

by Dana Zeliff on February 27, 20212021-02-27
in Recipes, Weight Watchers Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

weight watchers oatmeal recipe
{Pin It}

Whether you are watching your waistline or just want a delicious breakfast, these tempting jars of Apple Cinnamon Baked Weight Watchers Oatmeal are a filling and healthy choice for a quick breakfast. I chose ingredients that are known for their weight loss or health benefits. The three main ingredients pack a healthy punch that makes this a perfect breakfast choice.

Cinnamon is known to help control blood sugar levels, aid in weight loss, prevent stomach bugs (cinnamon is highly anti- bacterial), as well as aid in alertness and memory. Apples provide soluble fiber and regulate your blood sugar. While oatmeal is filling and is another excellent source of fiber that also helps control blood sugar. Aside from all the health benefits this baked oatmeal is simply fabulous!

Weight Watchers Oatmeal Recipe:

[Read more…]

19 comments

Filed Under: Recipes, Weight Watchers Recipes

Kid Friendly Unicorn Star Cookies: Meringue Cookies Recipe Easy, Fun & Delicious

by Dana Zeliff on February 19, 20212021-02-19
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Meringue Cookies Recipe Easy & Fun

Looking for a treat to make on a rainy day or to take to your child’s classroom?  Create these kid friendly Unicorn Star Cookies – the meringue cookies recipe easy, delicious & fun will be the hit of the party.   Even better,  these are gluten free cookies, so you don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions.

Ingredients
4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 C sugar
2/3 C powder sugar
1 TBSP vanilla extract
purple, pink and blue gel coloring

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees
  2. In a standing mixer, add in the egg whites and cream of tarter.
  3. Mix on medium speed until soft peaks form and then increase to the highest speed setting.
  4. Add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time first then add 1 table spoon of powder sugar coating until all is combined.
  5. You will want to see stiff peaks form.
  6. Add in the vanilla and mix until combined.
  7. Split batter into 5 bowls
  8. Add blue food coloring into one bowl
  9. Add pink food coloring into the second one
  10. Add purple food coloring into the third one
  11. Using a pastry bag with a star tip, scope some blue meringue into 1/4 of the bag
  12. Add the pink meringue to another 1/4 of the bag
  13. Add the purple to the bag to the final 1/4 of the bag
  14. Pipe on the meringues onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  15. Making them about the size of a silver dollar and leaving about 1 inch in between the cookies
  16. Bake for 1 and 30 minutes hour

Like colorful treats?  Try this Mardi Gras Doughnuts Recipe and add a bit of fun into breakfast time!

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Filed Under: Recipes


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About The Coupon Challenge

Hi! I'm Dana, the writer behind the scenes of The Coupon Challenge, a Hampton Roads, VA based coupon blog. I'm a wife and mother of 2. After getting out of debt we started using our savings to travel together as a family and create memories.

Are you looking for ways to save your family money? I strive to help you save on the products you need, so you can spend more on the things you want. Read More about Dana & Family

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