Meatloaf From the Heart

My heart-shaped meatloaf was made from the heart & done so frugally!

I prepared this dish for our 2011 Valentine Feast but, this can be made anytime you want to say,

"I love you!"

Ingredients:

-Family-size ground beef (or whatever ground meat you prefer)

-2 eggs

-italian bread crumbs

-seasonings to taste(salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, additional ital. seasonings)

-1/2 cup milk (check consistancy-depends on bread crumbs)

-prepared mashed potatos (box or real pot.)

-prepared vegies (I used brocolli, steamed in the microwave)

After mixing all these ingredients, I took enough for that evening's dinner and hand-shaped

it into a heart. The remaining was shaped into ordinary meatloaf for another meal (either for the freezer or for thru the week). Next place the heart-shaped meatloaf into a large enough cake pan.

Bake at 350 and check after 30 minutes.

While waiting for the meatloaf to cook, prepare mashed potatos and vegetables.

When meatloaf is ready, place in center of platter. "Frost" with mashed potatos & outline with vegetables.

I also "decorated" the top with a sprig of rosemary.

It was "Delicious!" Show your husband & family how much you love them tonight!!!

Afterall, they are a BLESSING!!!! :)



Beautiful Valentine Treats-Chocolate Covered Heart-Shaped Mounds

(Taken Feb. 2012)

These little treasures are a true Labor of Love.

They're not difficult, they just take time.

Recipe:Disclaimer-I fudge any recipe I ever come into contact with and make it my own. I suggest you do the same! :)

1 stick butter or marg.

1 lb. confec. sugar + another 2 cups

14 ou. bag shredded sweetened coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

12 ou. bag chocolate chips or choc. melts (I used almond bark)

1/8 tsp. shortening (as needed with melting choc.-not for use with choc. melts)

Melt butter in microwave-safe bowl.  Add sugar, coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla.

Mix well-should be stiff batter.  Shape into balls (bite-sized), or in this case, hearts by

forming ball then press pinky in on one side, then pinching the opposite side. 

Mold gently 'til you acquire the perfect little heart!

(Taken Feb. 2011)

Place on waxed paper and chill. 

While in fridge, in microwave-safe bowl (cereal-size)

I placed 3 large almond bark squares with an 1/8 tsp. shortening.

Melt 30 sec. 2x, then 15 sec. intervals until smooth.

Important!!! Don't over-cook! (If it does and gets chunky-don't throw it

away! Use to dip animal crackers or graham crackers.  At least it's still edible!)

(Taken Feb. 2012)

Now, the fun part! (It's all fun!)

(Taken Feb. 2012)

I used a tooth pick inserted on one side and a baby spoon in the other.

Carefully sweeping melted chocolate up & over the sides of

the molded heart.

Then I place a little on the waxed paper where it will rest.

(Taken Feb. 2012)

Gently lift choc. heart above the bowl with the toothpick while

using the spoon to scrape the running off chocolate from the bottom.

Next,  place your heart on the choc. spot on your waxed paper.

Turn them out in rows to harden.

(Taken Feb. 2012)

This can be a little messy 'til you get the hang of it.

But, "practice makes perfect", I always tell my girls!

(Taken Feb. 2012)

When cooled and hardened, I place them on a clean dish towel

then in an airtight container.

 (If making chocolates in the summer you don't want them on

top of one another-separate with waxed paper.)

Take your time and enjoy! You're family & friends will certainly

enjoy your efforts and that always makes it worthwhile!