Thursday, May 26, 2011

"Reminds Me Of Mom" Roll it up Meatloaf



This meatloaf remins me of my mom : ) and it is fantastic just like her!

Ingredients
1.5  LBS Ground Lean Beef
2 Grated Carrots
1 Medium Yellow Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
1/2 Cup Chopped Parsley
Salt (eye ball it)
Pepper (eye ball it)
Thyme (eye ball it)
Oregano (eye ball it)
1/4 Cup Red Wine
1/4 Cup
1 Egg
1/4 Cup Tomato Juice

Lots of Basil (like two cups)
4 or more OZ Sun Dried Tomatoes
3/4 LB Mozzarella Cheese Sliced

Preheat oven to 375
Mix all of the top ingredients together
Foil a 9x13 baking dish
Lay a piece of foil out on the counter
Place the beef mixture on the foil
Spread meat out into a 15x12 inch rectangle (or something like it)
Lay out basil on top of meat
Scatter sun dried tomatoes
Lay 3/4 of Mozzarella on top of basil and tomatoes

HERE COMES THE TRICKY PART

Using the foil as a helper and starting from a short side, roll up the meat like a jelly roll.
Peel back the foil as you roll.
Place seam side down on the baking dish

Bake for 1 hour
Then put the remaining mozzarella on top and bake again until its melty on top!

YUM

cut it up like a jelly roll and enjoy!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The New Best Thing

You know I was going through my finances and thinking about things that could save Ryan and me money... I mean there are tons of ways, once I looked at everything but one way I found is making a food calendar. Now I know it sounds a little "Stepford Wife" like to do this but really! IT WORKS! Ryan and I went last Sunday to one of our favorite markets Berkeley Bowl. In preparation for the shopping trip we figured out what we were going to be having for our meals throughout the week. We went shopping and bought only those ingredients... healthy ones too!, and you know what?! We saved about twenty five percent of what we usually spend on groceries for the week. And Berkeley Bowl is not cheap! (its just fantastic)
So in honor of my new found love for calendar menu making I made a menu for the family that I nanny for. And yet again, money saved, I knew what to cook for the family every day (so i didn't have to ask and shop every day), and I could tell Lanie (the little one) what she could have for every meal and what we were having later that day! It has been great!
Now I know things come your way and not every week goes according to plan, but if anything you have saved money and have food left over! Crazy!
Now get too it and start menu planning!

http://www.berkeleybowl.com/