Down Home Goodness

There is nothing like comfort food. And when you pair comfort food with fellowship, you have something that reminds you of the fruits God has given us.

My husband, Danny, and I host a small group study at our house each week. I cook dinner and dessert for our friends. This is such great therapy for me. I love to cook, bake, create! This brings me great joy. I take pride in doing it. It does not matter if I am cooking for 2 or 200, it is such a passion for me. And if I say so myself, I am pretty darn good at it. I tweak a recipe until it is just right. My daughter's boyfriend says he wants to bottle the smell that comes from my kitchen and sell it (of course sharing the profits with me).

tonight's study was on "The Me I Want To Be" by John Ortberg. In this week's study we discussed Joy (one of those fruits I was talking about ^). Joy comes from within, happiness is a temporary feeling, but Joy is always with us, deep in us. We just have to let the Holy Spirit exhibit it in us. Tonight my joy was overflowing. How can it not, when you laugh until you cry. When you look around and think of how very blessed you are, even in times of trial. God is good , He is real, He is alive and working in each of us. He is there for us, even when we are not there for Him. That is an amazing love, knowing He stands by and up for us, even when we don't Him.

We are also studying The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  This is the second time Danny and I have done this study but the first leading it. And we as a group agreed, this should be a high school course or a must before you marry. What a wonderful tool for any relationship, especially your marriage. This book will make you a stronger couple, you will soon find out what it is like to have a full tank.

Speaking of a full tank: On the menu for tonight: Comfort Food, down home comfort food. Are you ready? Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes (skins on), Creamy Mac and Cheese and Buttermilk Biscuits. Dessert was not my recipe but it was a Midnight Chocolate Cake with my homemade fudge topping. There are only 2 recipes I do not share, you are in luck today, because these are 100% sharable recipes. Here are 2 of them. Enjoy with your family, and let your Joy show.

Blessings Friends

Peace, Love and EnJoy

Diane's Down Home Meatloaf

2lbs lean hamburger, defrosted
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1/2 green pepper, diced
1 sweet onion, diced
1 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs
Use large sturdy, wooden, spoon to mix all ingredients until well blended. Form into loaf and place in baking dish.
For topping mix 1/2 cup brown sugar with 1 cup of ketchup. Spread on top of loaf, top with 4 slices of bacon.
Bake at 350* for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until juices run clear.

Make an extra loaf for meatloaf sandwiches for lunch tomorrow! 

Printable recipe for Diane's Down Home Meatloaf

Diane's Creamy Mac and Cheese

1 box of your favorite pasta ( my favorite to use is Penne)
cook as directed (do not over cook)
while pasta is cooking mix together
 (milk and dry wisk then add cheeses):
4 cups milk
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 cup (1/4 box) velveeta cheese, diced
1 teaspoon dry mustard
I heaping tablespoon of flour
1 teaspoon black pepper
place cooked pasta in baking dish, cover with cheese mixture, if it does not just cover the top of the pasta, add more milk.
This is the oh no but it is so good part (you can not skip this part!) slice up one (yes mom) stick of butter on top, cover with foil
bake at 350* for 45 minutes
take out of oven and stir. This is creamy, cheesy goodness
Your stomach and family WILL thank you

printable recipe for Diane's Mac and Cheese

originally posted January 2011 wordpress