Meatloaf

by | posted in: Meat | 0

Meatloaf Finish2

Meatloaf is one of those things that doesn’t sound exciting, but when it is good….it is really good. Not only is it good the first time, it is truly an amazing sandwich on day two.   This meatloaf is tender and full of flavor.  

Meatloaf2

It doesn’t get any easier than this.  Put the meat, cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, milk, eggs (they aren’t in the picture…sorry), salt and pepper in a bowl and mix it together.  Don’t over mix.  When everything is combined, then stop mixing.

Meatloaf3

Shape it into a loaf and bake for 1 hour.

 

Here’s the recipe:

 

Ingredients

2 Lbs Chopped Meat – This can be all beef or a combination of beef, pork and veal or any combination you want.

2 Eggs

1/3 Cup Bread Crumbs

1/2 Cup Milk

1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley – chopped

1 Cup Parmesan Cheese

1/2 tsp Pepper

2 tsp Salt

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º.  In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until just combined.  Don’t over mix.  Shape into a loaf and place in baking pan. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature is 160º.

 

Print Recipe-001

 

 

Cooking

by | posted in: Cooking | 0

Food in Italy

Food has always taken center stage in my family.   As soon as the plans are made to get together, the first order of business is the menu.  What is the theme for the day, who is bringing what and what time is dinner. It’s great.  We all contribute to the outing, then share the recipes with each other while we eat.  

Our heritage is Italian.  My mother’s family is predominantly from Naples and my father’s family is from Sicily.  Given that, there is always something on the menu that is Italian.  Let’s face it, there is always a way to fit a bowl of pasta into every menu.    

We come from a long line of really good cooks starting with my great-grandmother and making its way through many generations.  My sister and brother also share the same passion for food that I do and at this point,  I really enjoy seeing all of our children starting to embrace cooking, barbecuing and baking.   
What I hope to accomplish on these pages is to share with you my family’s cookbook.  All the staple recipes that I have used as go-to meals for years. I also want to help you make ends meet. Everything is expensive these days and everyone I speak to is looking for any help with their food budget. I will look at what is on sale every week and give you suggestions on how to cook it that is healthy and low cost.   
I try to stick with fresh food, not processed.  But, lets face it, from time to time I do take a short cut.    
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you try some of the great recipes at The Rustic Heart. 

Breakfast

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Baked Egg Muffin 1        Baked Egg Muffins

Baked Oatmeal        Baked Oatmeal

French Toast       Favorite French Toast    

Frittata       Frittata

Breakfast Parfait        Breakfast Parfait    

Homemade Granola      Homemade Granola

Mini Fritata      Mini Frittata

Stuffed French Toast    Stuffed French Toast

Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce   Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce and Walnuts

Travel

by | posted in: Travel | 0

Hawaii Sunset

I love to travel.   Week long trips are just as wonderful as the weekend ones.  I’ll take either.  We have been to quite a few states in the US, and we also made it to Europe and to the Caribbean.  

Over the past 5 years or so, many of our getaways have revolved around riding a motorcycle.  My husband has a Harley and we travel with some friends on the bike.  If we are going a long distance, we trailer the motorcycles and ride when we reach our destination.  If we are going relatively close, we just ride the motorcycle the entire way.  It is quite a challenge getting all our belongings in the travel bag on the back of the bike.  I will show you pictures later about that.
Let me just say, that I am not a critic of any kind.  What you see about any of my vacations is purely my opinion.  I am not recommending any of the places that we went to, just telling you what my thoughts are in each journey we took.
I hope you enjoy seeing and hearing our travel experiences.

Month-by-Month

by | posted in: Month By Month | 0

Fall Folliage1

 

We made it to November.  This is the month that brings us from pumpkins and transitions into the holiday season.  It’s time to make pies and get together with family and friends to for Thanksgiving.  Don’t forget to let everyone know all the things you are thankful for this year.  Especially them!!!

Of course, there is the dreaded Black Friday.  Some people, like me, love Black Friday and others would never take a step out of the house that day.  I hear it from both sides.  I go out very early in the morning with my daughter-in-law on Black Friday and we hit all the stores.  We go out by 3 or 4am and we are back by 10am.  We have so much fun finding deals.  I look forward to it every year.  

It’s time to make a decision about what cookie you will make this year for the cookie exchange.  I always like to try a new cookie each year.  We have been exchanging for about 8 years and every year it is more fun than the last.  I can’t wait to see everyone’s cookies.  The women in my exchange go all out.  The cookies are great and a girls day with wine and cookies is just what I need during the holiday hustle and bustle.