Mal's Meatloaf

Image courtsey of: taste.com

Well I never thought I'd see the day where I actually liked meatloaf but this recipe is so good! Highly recommended.

Mal's Meatloaf

• 500g mince of your choice (I've tried beef, chicken and turkey)

• 1 carton of full fat sour cream

• 1 packet tomato cup a soup

• a heavy sprinkling of Italian herbs (I use parsley, thyme and basil)

Mix till combined and placed into a meatloaf tin lined with baking paper.

• 2 rashers of bacon - diced

• BBQ sauce (use a little or a lot)
  

Top meatloaf with the diced bacon and BBQ sauce. Bake for about 45 minutes at 200d and enjoy.

Spider-Frog

Fuzzy made this gorgeous 'spider-frog' at school for their campfire learning journey. They had made a pretend fire out of stones and cellophane which they were roasting marshmallows over. These delightful little creatures were stationed all around the campfire.

So well crafted. I am placing him inside my book shelf, where all of the Stringy's special pieces are. Am starting to think I'll need some more book shelves to store our growing collection of artworks.

Op-travaganza #7

Another successful op shop at Salvo's Belconnen.

Me:

• white leather sandals $3

• Adidas shirt $3

Husband Deluxe:

• T shirt $3

Free: Beatles for Kids CD. Scratch free!

Total spend: $12.

My thoughts on op shopping: wow I can't get over what people throw out. Now I'm a fuss pot when it comes to shoes but I've managed to score another brand new pair of sandals today. The Adidas shirt is also brand new. I am totally stocked. Admittedly there is a lot of crap in there too, I just don't buy it hahaha.

In lots of ways it is enabling me to re stock my wardrobe for a fraction of the cost that I'd pay retail. Obviously good for the environment too. I've taken to decluttering again and have been donating stock as well.

Op shopping makes me happy :-)

Suzyboo's Beef Stroganoff

Photo courtesy of taste.com

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 kg blade steak, cut across the grain into thin strips
• 2 medium brown onion, cut into thin wedges
• 2 tsp minced garlic
  
• 500g mushroom flats, sliced
• 125mls white wine
• 2 tbs tomato paste
• 125mls (1/2 cup) beef stock
• 2 tbs dried parsley
• 1 heaped tsp paprika
• 2 heaped tsp cornflour, mixed in a little water
• 250g carton sour cream
• pasta to serve

1) Fry up the steak till nicely browned in two or three batches. Remove from the pan once browned.
2) Fry the onion and garlic till cooked. Add the beef and mushrooms.
3) Add the wine and allow to cook till reduced slightly.
4) Add the tomato paste, stock and herbs.
5) Simmer for about an hour. If you used a better cut (such as rump) you could simmer for a shorter time.
6) Once cooked stir through the corn flour mix and sour cream.
7) Serve over pasta.

We had ours tonight with home made Turkish rice and steamed veggies.

Xavier

Still so very sad you couldn't stay. You were due today. A life cut short. Not with us for long enough.

Lara: you, S and the kids have not been far from my thoughts today. Even in the midst of the unrelenting grief you manage to honour your angel so beautifully and eloquently. I am in awe of what you have created and your willingness to share your journey with me. xox

Double Chocolate Muffins

Photo courtesy of: taste.com.au

What to do when String Bean has a friend over this afternoon and the cupboard is bare? (Well all the ready to go stuff has run out, but my baking supplies are always available.)

Double Chocolate Muffins
Makes 36 mini muffins

2 cups SR flour
1 cup sugar
3 tbs cocoa
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg, beaten
90g butter
250g chocolate chips

* Mix flour and butter to resemble breadcrumbs.
* Add sugar and cocoa
* Throw in rest of ingredients and roughly mix - it doesn't need to be perfect with muffins.

* Cook on 180 for about 20min or until brown.


Will update later with the kids opinions on these.

















The kids loved these muffins. Easy and not full of numbers so happy here.

Squealy scoffed 3 of these!

The Boys

hmmm I could hear Evanescence so decided to check out what the boys were up to. Watching a fan made Youtube of Cars with Wake Me Up as the background music.

How cute are these two little boys? SUPER CUTE!!!