I never used to use the same recipe twice, I'd vary it although I usually used a guideline. I kind of liked a pizza flavored meatloaf and would use pizza type seasonings, mozzarella cheese cubes in it sometimes, a little bit of pizza sauce for one type, served with garlic bread and fries or potato wedges. Another time I used Marcia Adam's recipe for a guideline. I'd use what's on hand. I really like meatloaf. If you don't overseason it, it's hard to goof it up. The one thing that's not tolerable to me is the inch of ketchup or tomato sauce on top. That's gross. I like gravy and mashed potatoes most of the time with it. I think it's important to mix meats in there. I happen to like pork sausage (Jimmy Dean type), ground beef, some pepperoni and bacon. I used to use turkey but got some very unattractive stuff and was put off by it so I don't use it anymore. I don't keep oatmeal around or I might use that on occasion. Many like it and I thought it was OK. To me, it's more a guideline than a recipe. Getting too exact can be problematic. More or less meat, more or less additives will all vary the result. In the link above I gave the listing of things I used in the last couple meatloaves I made and probably how I'll make it most of the time from now on unless I decide to go pizza/Italian style or something. You certainly can substitute for or eliminate the onion altogether. It's certainly flavorful enough or you could add something else if you want. Don't be afraid of it. Meatloaf and meatballs are basically the same thing. You can make meatloaf patties out of it too and cook quicker. Make several kinds. Enjoy them. Combine them. That's what I did when I came up with what I liked. There is no "best" recipe for me, since I like variety. So no "one" recipe will do all the time. Want something a little different? Put some hard boiled eggs in there or some cooked bratwurst or polish sausage. Makes for an interesting presentation when you slice it. I do have one problem making meatloaf. I can't seem to get the good crust on there my mom's meatloaf had and I like the crust! It helped with the thin layer of BBQ, essentially brushed on and then seasoned. I imagine the gas oven was dryer than my electric oven and definitely dryer than the Nesco so that's probably part of the problem. Good luck and happy testing!

I use microwave ovens a lot but unless you have several large ones, they would take too long to heat food for a crowd. For regular ovens that can hold a low temperature, fully-cooked foods can be kept for hours at 170. Moist foods will hold even longer than dry ones -- just cover them to prevent drying out. But figure an hour or longer to warm it up from refrigerator temperature (depends on how big/solid the pieces -- surface-to-volume ratio and density to the scientifically trained). Remember, you are not trying to recook the food, but warm up the interior without hurting the exterior, so while higher temperatures will heat faster, they'll also recook the foods. If your oven can't hold a low temp, or if the food will be out for serving for a long time, consider a warming device like a Salton hot tray. Food safety is about keeping foods hot (or cold) -- what you don't want is perishable food sitting out at room temperature. Most home-cooked foods are not heated for the long time period or elevated temperatures required to sterilize them, so it's safest to keep them hot or cold. And don't knock cold foods -- I happen to love cold chicken and sliced brisket (but with ketchup or another cold sauce rather than gravy) on a hot day. (Okay, the potato kugel would probably be better hot.) If the chicken (or any other food) is in a flavorful sauce and isn't supposed to be crisp, make it at least a day ahead for best flavor. For stew-like dishes, no reason not to make them as much as two or three days ahead, but the longer they'll sit, the lighter the hand with seasoning. The way I handle after-services meals is to have appetizers ready-to-go in the fridge. That way guests can get comfortable while we serve drinks and wait for everyone to arrive. I serve mainly vegetable salads and pickled vegetables since they are on just about everyone's diet but don't spoil the dinner. If people are likely to be very hungry or dinner will be delayed, gefilte fish, herring salad, deviled eggs or some kind of egg spread are satisfying but light first courses for meat meals. Cold soups are nice, but I reserve any that can't be sipped from a cup without the help of a spoon for served seated dinners. As far as menu suggestions go, our guests really enjoy guacamole -- a family tradition since DH is from Texas, but "good eats" to almost everyone.

I'd definitely be roasting the yam, the cauliflower and the carrots and celery. Yes, I LOVE roasted celery and that's the only way I like cauliflower at all. The lettuce and peppers can be a salad, with some of the radishes, or you could slice and marinate the peppers and make a nice side dish. In the alternative, you could make Marilyn's Pepper Salad or Pepper soup, I've made the salad and like it (but I like peppers), I haven't made the soup so I can't critique it. Bell Pepper Salad 1 each red, yellow and orange bell pepper 1 small fresh onion; thinly sliced 10 grape tomatoes; sliced 2 tablespoons Fresh Herb Dressing hand full fresh parsley; chopped kosher salt to taste Seed and thinly slice peppers. Combine ingredients in a pretty bowl. Great with Feta cheese. Fresh Herb Dressing 1/2 cup extra-light olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 1 teaspoon salt fresh basil; chopped fresh oregano; chopped fresh chive; chopped (or garlic) Combine ingredients in glass jar and shake well. Roasted Bell Pepper Soup 4 large red, yellow or orange bell peppers 1 tablespoons olive oil or butter 1 medium onion 4 cloves garlic; minced Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper 4 cups chicken broth pinch of cayenne pepper to taste Place whole peppers on a rack place into a shallow oven-proof dish to catch juices. Set oven to broil and place peppers 5-inchs from heat source for 30 to 35 minutes, turning occasionally until skin is blistered and browned, turning often. Immediately place peppers in a plastic bag and close tightly. Let stand at least 20 minutes to cool. Remove skin, seeds and stems. Cut into strips. Meanwhile, In a large heavy saucepan, heat olive oil; add onion, along with salt and pepper and sauté until softened but not brown. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute. Add roasted bell peppers and broth; bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer 25 to 30 minutes until reduced by half. Puree in small batches in a blender. Return to saucepan by pouring through a wire strainer; season to taste. Garnish with unsweetened whipped cream. Serves 4 generously. *Puree soup while still hot for a velvety, smooth texture. Do not fill blender more than 1/3 full at a time and vent the top for steam to release Marilyn Ann T has a great recipe for a pepper tart: Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Roasted Red and Green Pepper Tart ================================= One quantity short crust pastry FILLING 3 red peppers halved and seeded 3 green peppers halved and seeded 60 g (2 oz) grated mozzarella cheese 40 g (1 ½ oz) grated parmesan cheese 3 tablespoons chopped, fresh basil 75 g (2 ½ oz) black olives freshly ground black pepper Preheat oven to 400°F Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface and place in a 9 inch tart tin. Line with nonstick baking paper and fill with baking weights or rice. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove weights and paper and bake further 10 minutes or until golden brown. To Prepare Filling: Roast peppers until blackened. Place in a plastic bag stand for 10 minutes. Peel skins from peppers and slice into strips. Rinse off any black skin still remaining, with cold water. Sprinkle base of pastry shell with cheeses and top with peppers, basil, olives and pepper. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake for 15 to 25 until heated through. Short Crust pastry 250 g ( 8 oz) flour 125 g (4 oz) butter chopped Iced water Place flour and butter in a food processor and process until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. If making by hand, rub butter in with fingertips or with two knives While processor motor is running, add drops of iced water until dough holds together. If making by hand mix with knife or wooden spoon. Press dough into a ball and wrap in paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes before rolling or shaping. Pastry can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days or the freezer for up to 3 months. beverly has a great recipe for fettucini with a bell pepper sauce. It calls for chicken and cream, I know that's a "no-no" combo but someone else might like this: Fettucini with Chicken and Bell Pepper Cream Sauce 2 ounces skinless boneless chicken thighs 1 tablespoon butter 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper 1 1/2 cups whipping cream 1 cup chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth 3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese 8 ounces fettuccine Additional grated Parmesan cheese preparationSprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate. Add green and red bell peppers and onion to same skillet and sauté until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper to skillet and sauté 4 minutes. Add whipping cream and chicken stock. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 8 minutes. Cut chicken into strips and add to sauce. Simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add basil and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to sauce, stirring to incorporate. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain and return to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat. Serve, passing additional Parmesan separately. Makes 4 first-course servings. And now, the radishes. When Maureen and Nancy came for dinner a few months ago, I made a side dish of cooked radishes. They were surprisingly good, tasted vaguely reminiscent of turnips. All I did was saute sliced radishes and some snowpeas in some olive oil until the radishes were tender, about 5 or 6 minutes. Add some butter for taste, salt and pepper. I've also got this recipe saved for next year's radishes, although I haven't tried it: GLAZED RADISHES 1 lb. 1 tbsp. 1 tsp. 1/2 tsp. 2 tbsp. radishes, trimmed unsalted butter sugar salt minced fresh parsley leaves In a heavy saucepan wide enough to hold the radishes in one layer cook the radishes in the butter with the sugar and the salt over moderately low heat, stirring, for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water, simmer the radishes, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are tender, and boil them, uncovered, shaking the pan occasionally, until the liquid has been reduced to a glaze. Cook the radishes over moderate heat, swirling them, until they are coated with the glaze and sprinkle them with the parsley. Gourmet, April 1991 As for the mushrooms, stuff em! LOL As an alternative, I might make the broccoli and cauliflower into that salad with raisins and sunflower seeds that my kids like so well: Cauliflower Broccoli Salad 1 head of cauliflower, separated into flowerets 1 bunch broccoli, separated into flowerets 1 small onion, chopped finely 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup sugar Crumbled bacon, optional Combine cauliflower, broccoli, raisins, sunflower seeds and onion, bacon if you're using it. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar. Pour mayonnaise mixture over vegetables; toss to coat. Cover and chill for 2 to 4 hours. Annie (who just LOVES vegetables!)

DH pulled our carrots last week. This carrot soup was one I'd tried at a soup fundraiser years ago. I bought their community cookbook because it had the recipe in it and never got around to making it. Tried it and now I'm wondering why I took so long. The author says it's her go-to soup when someone's sick. Making a big batch to freeze next weekend. Carrot Ginger Soup 3/4 stick butter 1/4 c. grated fresh ginger (I used a little more) 1 c. white wine 1 1/2 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced 1 lg. onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic (I used 4) 6-7 c. chicken or vegie broth (I used my homemade vegie broth paste and a little salt) Lemon juice, curry powder, chives, for garnish Saute onions, ginger and garlic until onions are soft. Add carrots, wine and broth and simmer until carrots are soft. Puree in blender (I used a stick blender). Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of curry powder and a sprinkle of snipped chives. (I added some lemon juice and curry powder directly to the soup. Didn't have chives...topped it with a little dollup of sour cream.) From: Spirit Valley Cookbook