SOME MORE EASY ONES!

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Jun 22, 2001

Well, it's hot outside and none of us want to do anything that'll heat up the house any more than we have to. In the past, I've given you a number of recipes that use the Crock Pot to not only be easy to prepare, but keep the house cool at the same time.

However, I've been forgetting that other time saver that most of us have in our kitchens-- THE MICROWAVE. We use ours a lot during the summer months and love it. The Microwave does have it's limitations, but it's sure a time saver. Keeps the house cool too!

So, this week, give the following recipes a try. They're things that Grandmaw loved to fix, just cooked in the Microwave. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

MEAT LOAF

1 1/2 Pounds Lean Ground Beef

3/4 Cup Onion (Chopped)

1 Cup Bell Pepper (Seeded and Chopped)

1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs

1 Large Egg (Beaten)

2-4 Tablespoons Tomato Catsup

2/3 Cup Milk (Not Skim or 2%)

1/8 teaspoon Paprika

Chili Sauce (As Needed, Optional)

Salt and Pepper (To Taste)

In a large bowl, mix together the Ground Beef, Onion, Bell Pepper, Bread Crumbs, Beaten Egg, Catsup and the seasonings. Be sure to mix completely. Press into a microwave safe loaf pan to form a loaf. NOTE: If you don't have a loaf pan, you can use a microwave safe pie plate or something similar that is large enough to hold the meat mixture. Spread Catsup, or Chili Sauce, over the top of the Meat Loaf. Cover the top, tightly, with plastic wrap--leaving a small vent on one corner. Microwave on MEDIUM for 25-30 minutes. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. If desired, you may place the Meatloaf under the Broiler of your oven for a few minutes to brown the top of the Meatloaf.

NOTE: If your microwave has a temperature probe, be sure to insert the probe into the center of the Meatloaf and microwave until the probe reaches at least 170F. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

6-8 Large Bell Peppers (Your Choice of Color, Red, Yellow, or Green)

1-2 Pounds Extra Lean Ground Beef

1/4 Cup Onion (Finely Chopped)

Salt (To Taste)]

2-4 Cloves Garlic (Peeled and Finely Minced)

1 Cup Cooked White Rice (More If Needed)

1 Cup Tomato Sauce

1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)

Cut off the stem ends of the Bell Peppers and remove the seeds and white membranes from the inside of the Peppers. Place the Peppers--open end up-- in an ungreased 9 or 10 inch microwave safe pie plate, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 2-3 minutes, until they are just HOT. Mix together the Cooked Rice, Ground Beef, Onion, Salt and Garlic. Add 1 Cup of the Tomato Sauce and mix completely. Stuff, to the top, each Bell Pepper with the Beef Mixture, cover with plastic wrap and microwave on HIGH for about 5-6 minutes. Turn the pie plate 1/4 turn and microwave for another 5-6 minutes, or until the Beef mixture is fully cooked. Sprinkle with the Mozzarella Cheese and serve.

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