Sauteed Greens Beans

I have a prolific crop of green beans/string beans this year.  My friend Mike shared some Roma II seeds and I got three good 20+ feet rows.  These are a bush bean which I usually don't grow, but these jewels have really changed my mind.  Tasty, easy to snap and produces like crazy even with the lack of rain.

Since I am not crazy about green beans boiled down to mush, I have been experimenting with a few ways of cooking these beans.  I have settled on one in which the flavor can be adjusted by the seasoning.  In a large dutch oven, fry 3 slices of bacon (I have tried both pork and beef bacon with great results), add the beans a handful at a time stirring to turn and coat well with the grease from the bacon.  Season to taste - I add a little salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion.  Do not add water.  Cover and reduce heat to medium low.  The beans cook in their own juice, remain crispy and are full of flavor.  Try your favorite seasoning. 

Also have an over abundance of zucchini.  Any recipes are welcome as I have tried just about everything.  My favorite so far is a Paul Dean recipe for stuffed zucchini made with spinach.  Also really like scrambled sausage with zucchini and tomatoes.  Would love to receive your favorite!

Meatloaf

Don't skip this one! Most people either love meatloaf or they hate it! I have eaten good meatloaf and then . . . well, you know. There really isn't any so-so meatloaf. The trick is to find the combination you and your family love. Most any vegetable is good with meatloaf. A good meatloaf sandwich is hard to beat.

I am not a tomato sauce or ketchup eater, but I do love tomatoes. I can't eat - it just won't go down - meatloaf smothered in ketchup. Some people love ketchup on everything they eat and so finding what is right for you is the best route.

Easy Meatloaf

1 pound lean ground beef
1 package of Lipton Onion Soup mix
1 egg
2 tbsp Worchestershire (optional - again this depends on preferences)
bread or cracker crumbs (about 1 cup)
salt to taste (normally about 1 teaspoon)
pepper (normally about 1 teaspoon)
garlic (optional)

Mix all ingredients. Bake in a loaf pan or 8" x 8" oven safe dish in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the baking dish). It is up to you whether you cover in ketchup. This recipe is very adaptable. You can add as many or as few spices as you like. The onion soup mix probably has enough salt for the average person - I am a salt eater, much to the chagrin of my doctor.

Note: Food baked in a loaf pan takes 15 - 30 minutes longer to get done than in an 8" x 8" baking dish due to the depth of the loaf pan.

Mrs. Kinard's Meatloaf

1 pound ground beef
2 eggs
4 stems celery
1 med onion
1 pod bell pepper
1 sm can tomato paste (1/2 can for beef mixture, 1/2 can for topping)
2 tblsp flour (heaping tablespoons)

Mix all ingredients saving 1/2 tomato paste for the top. Press mixture into loaf pan/dish or 8" x 8" oven safe dish. Top with remaining tomato paste, cook covered at 350 degrees for 1 hour, uncover and cook an additional 15 minutes.

Jackie's Meat Loaf

1 cup oatmeal
1 small onion
1 sm can tomatoe paste
1/3 cup celery
dash of parsley
dash of garlic
2 1/2 to 3 pounds of ground beef
1/2 - 1/2 cup evaporated milk

Mix all ingredients, cover top with ketchup. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

As you can tell, I have had to be creative in making my meatloaf. Hubby can smother his with ketchup is he wants after it is cooked, but I am happy without the tomatoe paste or ketchup.

Another note - if ground beef rather than ground chuck is used, add more crumbs, flour or oatmeal. This filler will absorb the extra grease from the beef and make your loaf firmer.

Belle's Meatloaf

1 pound lean ground beef
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 finely chopped medium onion
1 finely chopped bell pepper
1 finely chopped clove of garlic
1 cup finely crushed saltines
2 tbsp Worchestershire

Mix all ingredients, press into loaf dish or 8" x 8" oven safe dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.