Happy New Year!

We stayed up until midnight (3 out of 4 of us did, Natalie tucked in early) and rang bells and shouted Happy New Year! And drank homemade eggnog. I have a lot of recipes to share -- yesterday was a day full of successes in the kitchen. For dinner we had a meatloaf recipe with a layer of mashed potatoes tucked away in the middle (a big hit) with Irish Soda Bread Rolls and green beans. The eggnog recipe I've also included; it is alcohol free and very easy.


Mashed Potato Meat Loaf
from Taste of Home magazine

1 1/3 cups water
1/3 cup milk
2 T butter
1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
1 1/3 cups mashed potato flakes
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
3/4 tsp pepper
1 lb lean ground beef (we used bison)
11 1/2 oz V-8 juice
1/4 cup ketchup

In a saucepan, bring water, milk, butter, and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in potato flakes; let stand 30 seconds. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

In a bowl combine the egg, oats, green pepper, pepper and remaining salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. On a piece of waxed paper, pat beef mixture into a 12 inch x 8 inch rectangle. Spoon mashed potatoes lengthwise down the center third to within 1 inch of edges. Bring long sides over potatoes to meet in center; seal seam and edges.

Place seam side up in a greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Drain. Pour V-8 juice over loaf and top with ketchup. Bake 18-22 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.



Irish Soda Bread Rolls
from Celebrate! by Sheila Lukins

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup golden raisins OR 6 T dried currants
1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, oats, salt, baking soda, raisins, and caraway seeds (if using) in a bowl and mix well. Add the buttermilk and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined; do not overmix. The dough should hold together and be slightly sticky.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Form it into a ball, kneading it once or twice, just until smooth. Cut the dough into 8 pieces and form rough balls -- it is okay if they are not perfectly round. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Using scissors dipped into cold water, cut a 1/2 inch deep X in the top of each roll.

Bake, rotating the baking sheet to ensure even browning, until the rolls are golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve hot.

Note: If you've made the rolls in advance, warm them in a 350 degree F oven for about 10 minutes before serving.



Yuletide Cheer Recipe: Eggnog

6 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 quart whole milk, divided
1 T vanilla extract
3/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 cup heavy cream

In a heavy 2 quart saucepan, whisk together eggs, sugar, and salt until well blended. Gradually stir in 1/2 quart (2 cups) milk, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Temperature on the thermometer should reach 160 degrees F.

Pour mixture into a large bowl. Stir in remaining milk, vanilla, and nutmeg. Cover and chill at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Gradually fold whipped cream into the chilled mixture.


(We made this the afternoon of and then close to midnight we shook the cream up in a jar -- stop before it becomes butter! -- and added it to the recipe. Delicious!)