D is for Dinner

I don't have a lot of time, and don't want to spend what time I have on dinner.  Meatloaf shouldn't be hard, require a trip to the store or need a lot of dishes.  This one doesn't.

What you need:

1-2 pounds of ground beef (or turkey)
1/2-1 onion, diced (depending on how much you like onion)
2 pieces of bread torn into pieces (any kind)
1 egg
2 of the 3: 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup molasses

1. Mix everything in one bowl
2. Shape into desired shape (I am a fan of the classic loaf)
3. Cook for 50 minutes at 350

C is for Cookie

So I may have just discovered the most perfect chocolate cookie.  It happened because I ran out of oats...I am addicted to chocolate no-bake cookies.  So since I knew I didn't have much time before the kids woke up I thought I would see what happened if I just omitted the oatmeal.  Perfection.

Here is the recipe (as I haven't seen this out there)...it takes about 5 minutes.

1/4c butter
1 cup sugar
1/4c cocoa (powdered)
1/4 c milk (best success is when you use just shy of a quarter cup)
1/4c peanut butter
1/4tsp vanilla

1. Mix your butter, sugar, cocoa and milk together until it starts to boil. 
2. Remove from heat.
3. Add vanilla and peanut butter.
4. Stir until combined
5. Drop onto wax paper (or parchment paper)...about the size of oreos

That's it.  They take about 10 minutes to harden completely...although you can always stick them in the fridge to make it happen quicker.  Or you can do what I do and just eat some of the unhardened goo while you wait for the cookies to set.
NOTE: the recipe also doubles and half's really well.

A is for Apple

I was, as usual short on time the other morning.  Trying to rush through breakfast so I could get to work on time and all I could find as a main ingredient were apples. In 15 minutes I created 3 different things that pleased each of the people in my home (with some left overs for me).  I was impressed since I have a 6 month old, a 20 month old and a husband who is picky about breakfast.

So I present A is for Apple...my guide on how to make 3 things in 15 minutes that they all will appreciate...and is healthful for them (and organic if you choose).

1. Put on water to boil
2. Take at least one apple per person (I used 4...my husband got two)
3. Peal the apples for the children
4. Cut one pealed apple up crudely (we are going to make quick apple sauce with this one)
5. Cut one pealed apple in thin, long strips (dipping sticks)
6. Cut the remaining unpealed apples into square shaped chunks (no bake apple crisp)

To make the applesauce:
1. dump the crudely cut, pealed apple into the boiling water (boil about 5 minutes)
2. remove when the apples are soft.  I like to mash them up with a fork.
3. add a dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg to taste

To make the dipping sticks:
1. take thin, long strips of apple and arrange on a plate
2. using available (appropriate) condiments create mini "dipping piles" around the plate.  My son ended up with maple syrup from our neighbors farm, organic peanut butter and tomato sauce (he requested the last one and ate it all I might say)

To make the no bake apple crisp:
1. take the remaining apples and toss with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg
2. melt 1 tbsp butter
3. toss butter with 1/4 oatmeal and apple mix and microwave until warm