Afton Bloxham's Meatloaf

You could say that when I was growing up I never met a meatloaf that I liked. But, sometimes, you get older and tastes change, thank goodness. This succulent and savory meatloaf was served at a church dinner about a year ago. ... I can say this is a memorable dish because this week I made three calls trying to find the recipe. I tracked it down. Darlene Muzzy of John Day had a copy of this gem which Afton Bloxham, also a resident of John Day, had given her. Thank you ladies!

Afton she said she clipped this out of a Montana Livestock newspaper several years ago. I’m so glad she did! The meat turns out perfectly and the sauce – I can’t get enough of the sauce. When I make it again I will make extra, separately, heat it up and serve it on the side.

Afton suggests you double the recipe, which I agree with – you will have more to feed the troops later (or sooner) or share with a friend.

Meatloaf Ingredients:
(for one meatloaf)
2/3 C. soda cracker crumbs (13-14 crackers)
1 C. milk
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2 beaten eggs
1/4 C. grated onion
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. sage

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a mixing bowl, soak crumbs in milk, add other ingredients. Mix well. Lightly grease a bread pan. Form meatloaf in pan, cover with sauce before baking. Cover with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.

Meatloaf Sauce:
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 C. catsup
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. dry mustard

Angel’s tip: This meatloaf also works well with wild game hamburger, and I added a clove of garlic, chopped.

Sandi's McDonald's-Style Asian Salad

I’ve been on the hunt for healthy salads for the new year. My co-worker Sandi Gubel shared her version of McDonald’s Asian Salad. She suggests that if you'd like to make it a heartier meal add orange-glazed chicken. I’m leaving the measured amounts of ingredients up to you chefs - so customize to your heart’s content! I love this combination!


Ingredients:
spinach
cucumbers
snow peas
orange pieces, or mandarin oranges
sliced almonds, toasted if you like
Asian salad dressing

Note: McDonald’s adds Newman’s Own Low-Fat Sesame Ginger dressing – if that brand is not available, try using another brand such as Kraft.

Just-Like-Jamba-Juice Smoothies

Here are six ways to have your fruit! My sister-in-law Rachel Carpenter of John Day invited our family to her home recently and she prepared several kinds of smoothies for a dessert. They are replicas of Jamba Juice smoothies. The first recipe in the line up, Mango-licious (left), is one that Rachel created herself. I tried it and have to say, the yum factor is sensational! I’ll be gathering up ingredients to try all the recipes!

If you’d like to share your favorite dish on the Angel’s Kitchen blog, please email your recipe to angel@bmeagle.com and, if possible, a photo of the food. Thanks!


Mango-licious

12 oz. Orange-Peach Mango frozen juice, prepared
1 C. mango, chopped and frozen
1/2 frozen banana sliced
2 scoops orange sherbet

Chop mango and slice banana and freeze ahead of time. Prepare the Orange-Peach Mango juice (The Dole brand is available in the freezer section). Combine ingredients in blender and mix on high speed until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add more juice - too thin, add more sherbet. Makes one large serving or two small.


Fruit Blast

12 oz. passion-mango juice
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
2/3 C. frozen whole strawberries
1/2 banana, sliced and frozen

Prepare as above.


Orange-A-Peel

1 1/2 C. fresh orange juice (fresh squeezed)
2/3 C. frozen whole strawberries
1 banana, sliced
2 scoops vanilla nonfat frozen yogurt
1 C. ice

Prepare as above.
(Angel’s tip: Try freezing an extra cup of juice in an ice cube tray or small cups, and use instead of ice. Also, each recipe can be adjusted to taste - such as switch fruits or add more of one than another.)



Peach Pleasure

12 oz. peach nectar juice, such as Kern’s
1 C. peaches, sliced and frozen
1/2 banana, sliced and frozen
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 C. ice

Prepare as above, see Angel’s tip.


Cranberry Craze

1 1/2 C. cranberry juice
1/2 C. frozen whole strawberries
1/4 C. frozen blueberries
2 scoops raspberry sherbet
1 C. ice

Prepare as above, see Angel’s tip.


Get Up and Mango

8 oz. peach juice
2 scoops frozen yogurt
1 mango, sliced and frozen
1 peach, sliced and frozen
1 C. ice

Prepare as above, see Angel’s tip.