Large Garlic Keeper

Substituting my way to a tasty Asian meatloaf

Meatloaf

1 1/2 lb ground beef

1/3 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

1/3 cup finely chopped green onions

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

3 Tbsp hoisin sauce

1 1/2 tsp finely chopped garlic

1 tsp finely chopped ginger

1 large egg

Topping

2 tsp vegetable oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups chopped oyster mushrooms

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

Tbsp hoisin sauce

1 Tbsp water

2 tsp finely chopped garlic

2 tsp finely chopped ginger

1 Tbsp sesame oil

2 tsp rice vinegar

Garnish

3 Tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line the bottoms and sides of a nine-by-five inch loaf pan with foil or parchment paper.

2. To make the meatloaf, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, green onions, cilantro, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger and egg in a large bowl. Stir together or use your hands to combine the ingredients well. Pat the beef mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 165 F.

3. While the meatloaf is baking, make the mushroom topping by heating the oil in a nonstick skillet lightly coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and bell pepper and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, water, garlic, ginger, sesame oil and rice vinegar and cook for 1 minute. Keep warm.

4. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow to sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the foil to help you remove the meatloaf from the pan. Slice and serve topped with the warmed mushroom sauce and garnished with cilantro or parsley.

For me, meatloaf is one of those comfort foods that I remember eating as a kid that I outgrew when my palate expanded and I went looking for more exciting fare.

When my turn came to test out a recipe for the paper, I immediately turned to Canadian cook Rose Reisman's Family Favorites. The book has a lot of tasty recipes with a healthy twist and I must have been feeling a bit nostalgic because I almost immediately zeroed in on her recipe for Asian meatloaf with oyster mushrooms and red bell peppers.

Being a last-minute girl, I hit up my local 24-hour Sobey's in south Ajax on a Sunday afternoon. They didn't have two of the key ingredients: hoisin sauce and oyster mushrooms.

Fresh Guacamole … A Summer Favorite - inspiredbySarah.com

Growing up with a huge appreciation for spicy foods I always welcome new ideas and ways to spice up my own dishes.  After all, spice is something that accompanies a big percentage of our family meals.

 An absolute favorite, that is usually present at all of our get togethers, is guacamole.  Mmmmm … there is nothing like it!  I’ve combined some of my favorite guac recipes into this one.   A benefit of this snack is that if you use all fresh ingredients you don’t need to worry about what you’re eating either … it’s all good for you!  Enjoy this recipe … I bet you’ll find it’s a keeper!!!

For the Love of Garlic, The Complete Guide to Garlic Cuisine

Minnesota Keeper Recipes

Healthy Helpings, 800 Fast and Fabulous Recipes for the Kosher (or Not) Cook

Country treasures worked in wood

Seasoning savvy, how to cook with herbs, spices, and other flavorings