December, 2007

  1. Christmas Meatloaf

    December 24, 2007 by Tarrant Figlio

    Apparently in Norway, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve…with Meatloaf:

    Norway:
    The Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve and for coastal regions is traditionally cod, haddock and lutefisk. Inland pork chops, Christmas meatloaf and special sausages are eaten. Farmers leave a bowl of nisse (gruel) in barns on Christmas Eve for the magic Gnome who protects their farms. From All About Christmas

    Now…the search for a Norwegian Meatloaf recipe led me to this great story…but no recipe.

    No matter what you have for Christmas Eve, I hope the holiday is blessed for you.


  2. Mushroom Meatloaf

    December 17, 2007 by Tarrant Figlio

    As you know if you are a regular, portabella mushrooms are a particularly popular food in this house to express love and desire. This meatloaf combines the love power of the mushroom with the retro chic of meatloaf.

    Portabella Meatloaf

    3 portabella mushroom caps, scrape gills and chop finely
    5 garlic cloves, chopped
    1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
    1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 3/4 pound ground beef
    1 cup soft breadcrumbs
    2 eggs, beaten
    2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    5 tablespoons tomato paste, divided

    Heat the oven to 350F. Mix seasonings and mushrooms. Combine with beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce and all but 2 tbsp. tomato paste. Gently press the mixture evenly into an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan, forming a rounded loaf. Spread remaining tomato paste over top. Bake, uncovered, 1 hr. 10 minutes


  3. Cookie Exchange!

    December 14, 2007 by Tarrant Figlio

    Be sure to join in on the Cookie Exchange organized by Cyndy of the Walking Faithfully blog.

    Cookie Exchange Badge

    Lots of cool cookie recipes!

    Here is a quick one from me:

    Thumbprint Cookies

    1 c. sifted confectioner’s sugar
    2 c. flour
    1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
    2 sticks butter

    Allow butter and cream cheese to soften slightly before beginning. Cream butter and cream cheese together. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar and flour. Chill for an hour or so. Roll into balls the size of walnuts. Make a thumb-print indentation in center of ball. Fill hole with a tiny bit of jelly, jam or preserves (we used baby food spoons in a couple of little custard cups with about 2 Tbsp. of jam in each cup). Bake at 375°F for 10 min.


  4. 50s Friday-Santa Quiz Show

    December 14, 2007 by Tarrant Figlio

    Sort of a creepy Santa…a 1950s quiz show to win prizes for Christmas