I took this can of....

For those of you back in Pokey who predicted that I would marry a football coach, well, you were right! It took me a while, but I finally found my father's dream son in law- a high school football coach. However it's not a very glamorous life- sure you get in free to games and have special parking, but to be honest, your life is not your own when your husband coaches football at any level. So what little time we have together is precious which is why I woke up last Saturday determined to make the Dave breakfast. The week before I had come home from the gym with McDonald's in tow- which he loved- but still where was my effort in this? (yes, talking to cashiers at McDonald's is considered a skill, but really) Yet, I did borrow from Mickey Ds as I decided to make breakfast burritos. I had everything I needed-- except the salsa that Dave loves. What to do, what to do??

That's when I got creative and made my own salsa. I don't like that thick Pace stuff that has more of the taste of a jar than of fresh salsa- so while I admit this is not FRESH salsa (little semi-home made coming out - if only I had the boobs of Sandra Lee) as didn't have all fresh ingredients, I improvised to come up with a pretty darn good EASY salsa.

Belinda's Super Salsa

1 can of Rotel, drained
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup green peppers
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tbsps lime juice

I use the manual food processor from Pampered Chef to process this, but I think you could use a food processor to very quickly process this together- couple of pulses at the max. I used regular Rotel, but you could definitely use mild to make your salsa quite not so hot.

Place all in processor and pulse a couple of times. Refrigerate and allow for flavors to meld together at least one hour. I was very pleased with this- Dave prefers a thicker salsa, but this was just what I wanted to have.... so it's Dave tested and Dave OK'ed", but Belinda says AWESOME!!!

And it is Charlie Kinder approved too.... he told me to take it away from him so he would stop eating it.

Meatloaf? You really like meatloaf?

Not sure why, but meatloaf has always seemed like a rather unexciting meal. My memories from childhood include my mom always making a special one for my sister and me since we didn't like onions- oh the vegetables you don't like as a kid! It was prepared in one of those small blue and white corning wear casseroles and was topped with some good ole Heinz ketchup. I have no idea how my mother prepared her meatloaf- she's not big on recipes and such- and I had never made a meatloaf until I met the Dave. Yup, the Dave (anyone get that reference?) loves meatloaf.

I have seen numerous cooking shows as people have prepared ultimate, cheesy, taco, and many various other forms of meatloaf, but I did not settle on just one recipe. I took this and that from various recipes and came up with what I consider to be a damn good meatloaf.

Fantabulous Meatloaf

1.5 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound italian sausage
1 egg
1 sleeve Ritz (or ritz style) crackers finely ground
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 tablespoons Dale's seasoning
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup barbeque sauce

1. Mix all the above together and form into a loaf. I place four slices of bread on the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish and place the loaf on top of bread. That will help soak up any grease that bakes off the loaf. Cover and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
2. After 45- 55 minutes, take off foil and check loaf- bake an additional 10 minutes if loaf is not ready. when it's ready, pour barbeque sauce on top and spread. Bake another 10 minutes without foil and broil to top for about 3 minutes at the end.
3. Remove from baking dish and enjoy...

Meatloaf is funny... so I use a thermometer to make sure it gets good and done... Once again Dave tested and Dave approved... makes fabulous sandwiches too!