Cheese-Stuffed Italian Meatloaf

It had been awhile since I had made some delicious Italian Meatloaf, and cheese makes almost anything better, so here is the delicious recipe. 

Ingredients:
3 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Breadcrumbs (Tightly Packed)
Seasoning (Alpine Touch, Garlic Salt, Mediterranean Oregano, Mediterranean Basil, a couple of dashes of red pepper flakes, a pinch of roasted garlic)
1 lb Ground Beef
1/2 lb Ground Italian Sausage
1 Cup Three Cheese Cheddar (grated)
1/2 Cup Mexican Shredded Mix (grated)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine the eggs, bread crumbs and seasoning.  Mix thoroughly.  Crumple the meat over the mixture and mix all together.   Press half of the meat mixture into a loaf pan.  Sprinkle 3/4 of the cheese over the top of the meat.  Pat the remaining meat mixture on top of the cheese.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.  Meat thermometer should read about 160 degrees.  Turn off the oven.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and let sit in the warm oven for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese.  Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.  Serve & Enjoy!

Combine the breadcrumbs, eggs and spices

Mix in the sausage & hamburger

Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the pan

Top with 3/4 of the cheese

Finish off with the remaining meat mixture

Cook for 50-55 minutes

Turn off oven and top with remaining cheese

Remove after 5 minutes and enjoy!

The English Patient

As last night was Valentine's I wanted to spend my "mommy time" (after Liam is asleep) watching one of the greatest tragic love stories.  It is one of my favorites.  It is a love that transcends the reality of their worlds and yet they have beautiful and pure moments of snatched time in between their lives to spend with one another.  So much hanging on by the thread of a single promise.  It helps teach us that no matter what happens in life you need to tell someone you care about just what they mean to you.  Holding it in and hiding it from them is never the right way.  If you truly care for someone, deeply, passionately, from your very soul.  You need to let them know, sooner rather than later.  With that said, here is a bit about this epic movie in case you have forgotten it or have never had the opportunity to see it!






The English Patient came out in 1996 as a romantic drama.  The screenplay is based off of the book with the same name by Michael Ondaatje which was released in 1992.  The film envelops the elements of fate, desire, passion, romance and tragedy that unfold during World War II Italy, as told through the flashbacks of a burn victim.  The burn victim was once a charismatic archaeologist whose love for another man's wife and his sacrifices for that love ultimately spell his end.  In the final days of the Italian Campaign of World War II Hana (A French-Canadian nurse) looks after a critically burned English man who claims amnesia and the inability to remember his name.  While Hana is helping make his last days comfortable she has the company of a questionable former thief named David and a bomb diffuser named Kip.   Originally 20th Century Fox wanted Demi Moore to play the love interest but but the producers refused, causing the film to them go with Miramax.  I can't imagine Demi pulling off the poise of the role in the same way. 

Themes of the movie: Real vs Fiction: The Real life count Laszlo Almasy (the burn victim in the story) discovered a cave in the Sahara of people swimming, which was a very rare and important find.  This is also portrayed in the book and the movie, although whether or not the location is the same is questionable.   The film was actually shot on location in Tunisia & Italy.  The film was critically acclaimed and took home 9 out of 12 nominated academy awards to include: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Art Direction, best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Director, Best Film Editing, best Original Score, Best Sound.  It was nominated for but did not win the best lead Actor, Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.  It also won the Golden Globe for Best Drama Motion Picture and Best Original Score.

It is a film that evoked this review from the late Roger Ebert "Backward into memory, forward into loss and desire, “The English Patient” searches for answers that will answer nothing. This poetic, evocative film version of the famous novel by Michael Ondaatje circles down through layers of mystery until all of the puzzles in the story have been solved, and only the great wound of a doomed love remains. It is the kind of movie you can see twice--first for the questions, the second time for the answers."  With that sort of review, you know it is one of those few gems released by Hollywood. 

It also had an all-star cast that worked seamlessly into bringing this story to life:
Burn Victim/Count Laszlo Almasy: Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter, Red Dragon, Schindler's List)
Hana the nurse: Juliette Binoche (Dan in Real Life, Chocolat)
Katherine the love interest: Kristin Scott Thomas (Bel Ami, Gosford Park, Mission: Impossible)
David the theif: Willem Dafoe (Boondock Saints, Spiderman, John Cater, Daybreakers)
Kip the bomb diffuser: Naveen Andrews (Once Upon A Time, Lost, The Brave One)
Geoffrey, Katherine's husband: Colin Firth (Love Actually, King's Speech, Bridget Jone's Diary)

All in all, this is an epic story.  One I like to revisit at least once a year and many more times if I can find the free time.  Despite it all, there was REAL and true love here.  I have heard a lot about the book lately and will be adding it to my list of books to read (it is long, but never TOO long).  And I want to learn much more about the Hungarian Laszlo Almasy whom was the inspiration for the story!  All in all I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars.

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Italian Meatloaf with Mozzarella

I wanted to change this up a bit by adding Mozzarella and Gouda to my Italian Meatloaf recipe.  Mozzarella takes longer to melt but the taste goes together marvelously! 

Ingredients:
3 Eggs
1 Cup Breadcrumbs (Tightly Packed)
Seasoning (Alpine Touch, Garlic Powder, Mediterranean Oregano, Mediterranean Basil, a couple of dashes of red pepper flakes)
1 1/2 lb Ground Beef
1/2 lb Ground Italian Sausage
1 Cup Mozzarella (grated)
1/2 Cup Gouda (grated) (or another smoked cheese)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine the eggs, bread crumbs and seasoning.  Mix thoroughly.  Crumple the meat over the mixture and mix all together.   Press half of the meat mixture into a loaf pan.  Sprinkle 3/4 of the cheese over the top of the meat.  Pat the remaining meat mixture on top of the cheese.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes.  Turn off the oven.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and let sit in the warm oven for about 10 minutes to melt the cheese.  Remove the meat loaf from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.  Serve & Enjoy!

Combine the eggs, breadcrumbs and seasoning in a large mixing bowl

Add the hamburger and sausage and mix thoroughly

Add half of the meat mixture into the meatloaf pan

Top with 3/4 of the Cheese

Pat the remaining meatloaf on top of the cheese and place in oven

Top with remaining cheese and return to oven

Deviled Eggs help add to the tastiness if you want to whip some up with your meatloaf is cooking

Cheesy and delicious

Serve & Enjoy!

Italian Chili Recipe

This is a fairly easy and painless way to make chili.  Although I love chili with sausage in it, it can get a little too greasy so I prefer to use half sausage and half hamburger to keep the Italian flavor but reduce on the grease.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1/2 lb Ground Sausage
1/2 lb Ground Hamburger
Seasoning (Garlic Powder, Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt, Crushed Red Pepper, Crushed Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme)
1 6oz can Tomato Paste
2 14.5 oz cans Diced Tomatoes
1 15 oz can Black Beans
1 15 oz can Kidney Beans
1 Red Pepper (Seeded & Diced)
1 Zucchini (peeled & chopped)
1 Banana Squash (peeled & chopped)
2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
Shredded Cheese to top

Directions:
Put the ground hamburger and sausage in a skillet to cook on medium heat and season.  Cook until thoroughly browned and strain the grease.
In a big pot add the tomato paste and then fill the can of paste with water and add to the pot.  Add both cans of diced tomatoes and both kinds of beans.  Cook on med-high heat.  Add the vegetables and cook until thoroughly warmed turned to simmer.  Add the meat when browned and mix thoroughly, sprinkling with additional spices, cook on simmer for about 5 minutes.  Serve and top with shredded cheese.  Enjoy! 

Brown the sausage and hamburger

Seasonings I used

Add the tomatoes, paste and beans and mix

The beans and tomatoes I used

Add the veggies

Add the meat

Sprinkle some additional seasoning

Top with cheese and enjoy!

My song for the day

Lasagna Stuffed Manicotti Recipe

The winning main course, it was neck and neck with the lamb, but this turned out amazingly delicious.  I send my heartfelt thanks out to those of your that have supported me in this and all of you amazing people that voted!  This wouldn't be a success without you!

Ingredients:

Bechamel Sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 tsp Mediterranean spiced sea salt
1/4 tsp basil
Pinch ground nutmeg
 

 Noodles & Filling:
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk cottage cheese (Or ricotta)

2 Tbsp Mascarpone
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 lb ground Italian sausage

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1-2 Zucchinis (peeled and chopped)
1 large egg, beaten to blend
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for salting water
1/2 tsp Basil

1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 uncooked manicotti noodles
24 oz jar Tomato Basil Sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella

Directions:

To make the sauce: Melt the butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high. Whisk the sauce until it comes to a simmer and is thick and smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk the seasoning into the bechamel sauce.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Brown the sausage until thoroughly cooked.  Saute' the zucchini in the butter until softened. 
Whisk the ricotta, spinach, 1 cup Parmesan, prosciutto, egg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.
Add a tablespoon or 2 of oil to a large pot of boiling salted water.  Boil the noodles until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Arrange the noodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking.
Butter a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish. Pour the bechamel sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. 

Fill the manicotta noodles one at a time as full as you can without ripping them.  Layer them in the baking dish close together, you will not have any room for an extra stuffed manicotti noodle when you are done.  

Pour the sauce on top of the noodles and top with the remaining cheese.  Spray the side of the tin foil that will be facing the cheese with non-stick cooking spray to keep it from sticking to the cheese.  Cover tightly with foil. Bake until heated through and the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese on top becomes golden, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes. Serve & Enjoy!

 

 

Brown the sausage and melt the butter

Add the ingredients for the bechamel sauce and get it cooking

Start up the manicotti noodles and finish cooking the bechamel sauce

Saute' the zucchini slices

Add the filling ingredients to a large mixing bowl to whisk together

Lay the manicotti noodles out flat on a baking sheet to dry so as not to stick to one another

Pour the bechamel sauce in the bottom of the baking dish

Fill the manicotti noodles and layer in the dish

Cover with the sauce and add extra basil if you would like

Top with the remaining cheese

Remove the foil and return to the oven to melt the cheese

Remove from the oven and let cool

Serve & Enjoy!

Italian Spaghetti Recipe

Here is the recipe for the spaghetti I made this evening.  Spaghetti is one of those things that I make a little different every time.  Enjoy.

Ingedients:

1/2 Lb Ground Sausage

1/2 Lb Ground Hamburger

1/2 lb Rotini Pasta

1 Jar of Tomato Sauce (I used 4 cheese)

Seasoning (Alpine Touch, Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Crushed Rosemary, Garlic Salt, Crushed Red Pepper)

Monterey Jack Cheese (shredded, as desired)

Directions:

Add the Sausage & Hamburger to a skillet and season.  Cook on med-high  Add the noodles to a pan and add water to boil.  Brown the meat and add the tomato based sauce.    Lower the heat to med-low and mix together to warm sauce.  Strain the noodles and set aside.  Serve by adding the sauce on top of the pasta and sprinkle the cheese on top to taste.  Enjoy!

 

Garlic Butter for Toast

Ingredients:
6 Tbsp Butter
1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp Garlic Salt

Directions:
Melt Butter and mix int he cream and garlic salt.  Can use immediately.  Store remainder in fridge.

 

Boil the pasta and brown the meat

Add the sauce to the meat

Serve the sauce over the pasta and sprinkle with the cheese

Cheesy Italian Meatloaf

This was the first time that I had ever tried this recipe out and it turned out incredibly delicious.  I would ask that those that are not fans of meatloaf revisit it and give it another chance with this recipe.  For those of you who are fans already, this is a great take on an old recipe.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 Eggs
1 Cup Breadcrumbs (Tightly Packed)
Seasoning (Alpine Touch, Garlic Salt, Mediterranean Oregano, Mediterranean Basil, a couple of dashes of red pepper flakes)
1 lb Ground Beef
1/2 lb Ground Italian Sausage
1 Cup Colby Jack Cheese (grated)
1/2 Cup Smoked Butterkase (grated) (or another smoked cheese)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine the eggs, bread crumbs and seasoning.  Mix thoroughly.  Crumple the meat over the mixture and mix all together.   Press half of the meat mixture into a loaf pan.  Sprinkle 3/4 of the cheese over the top of the meat.  Pat the remaining meat mixture on top of the cheese.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.  Meat thermometer should read about 160 degrees.  Turn off the oven.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and let sit in the warm oven for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese.  Remove the meat loaf from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.  Serve & Enjoy!

Combine the eggs, bread crumbs and seasoning

Crumple the meat over the top

Mix thoroughly

Press half of the meat mixture into the loaf pan.

Add 3/4 of the grated cheese on top of the meat

Press the remaining meat on top of the cheese

Cook at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes

Add the remaining cheese on top

Return to the over for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese on top

Serve & Enjoy!