Chedder Crackers

Yummm! These are far from low calorie but they are soooooo good. I like to put them in the baskets with cookies and fudge at the holidays because like fudge, they are to be enjoyed in moderation... or not ;)

Cheddar Crackers

-6 oz or 1.5 cups of EXTRA SHARP or HUNTERS CHOICE Cabot cheese (do not substitute for cheapo cheese like cracker barrel-they will not taste right)
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
-1 teaspoon Frank's hot sauce (or more to taste)
-1 teaspoon garlic powder
-1 cup all purpose flour (you could try using wheat but we don't)
-1/4 cup sesame seeds

Directions:
-Heat oven to 400 and spray a baking sheet
-Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with hands or use your food processor
- Divide the dough in half and roll into two logs that are aprox 1 1/4 inches in diameter
-Roll logs in sesame seeds and wrap in plastic wrap
- Refrigerate logs for at least 30 minutes, then slice into 1/4 in thick slices
-Optional: place fork marks on tops of each cracker
-Place slices on baking tray and bake 10-12 minutes keeping a close eye out so they don't burn.

They are great to use as serving crackers for an appetizer or all alone. Enjoy !

BBQ Meatloaf

I was reading through my blog and CANNOT believe this wasn't the first recipe I posted !! This is by far one of our favorites for the summertime, but it is equally delicious in the winter. I think it would be a great dish for upcoming SuperBowl Sunday.

BBQ Meatloaf

- 1lb Spicy Italian Sausage (you can cut open the links and squeeze out filling)
-1 lb Sweet Italian Sausage
-1 lb lean ground beef

1 Large onion or 2 medium
1 green pepper
2 carrots
2 celery stocks
*on the veggies feel free to use whatever you have on hand, and as much or little as you like

1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce
1-2 cups bread crumbs
1-2 eggs
Salt & pepper

Instructions:
-Dice up the veggies and put to side
- Squeeze the sausage out of the casing and into a bowl with the ground beef
-Mix the meats together
-Add Veggies as you like
-Add breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of Baby Ray's
-Mix Well
-Form into small 3 in long and 2in thick logs
-Place on BBQ to cook or bake in an oven at 400 for 25-30 minutes

This is great with Corn on the Cobb and summery salads or in smaller portions as an appetizer.
Enjoy!!

Ranch Chicken Nuggets- A meal even a husband can make !

I found this recipe online where it was suggested that it is a fun recipe to teach children to make. I taught my husband and now he has a meal he can easily make and loves to eat.

Ranch Chicken Nuggets:

-Chicken breasts or strips cut into small bite size chunks (whatever size you like)
-Ranch dressing (try the Cajun ranch or ranch mixed with hot sauce for a kick)
-Special K or Corn Flakes
-Parmesan cheese thinly grated
-Flour


Instructions:
- Pour 1-2 cups of cereal into a ziplock bag and smash until they are like panko breadcrumbs.
-Add Parmesan cheese to the cereal mixture and shake up to evenly distribute.
-Pour the cheese/cereal mix into a bowl or dish
-Put flour, and ranch dressing into separate bowls.
- Spray a baking tray with Pam
-take nuggets and dip into flour, then the ranch, then into the cereal/cheese mix and place on the baking tray
-Cook at 375 for 15-25 minutes depending on how large your nuggets are.

You could also flash fry these, but we were going for the healthier route. I like to serve with blanched green beans and almonds.