Cheeseburger Pie

While I was putting this Cheeseburger Pie together I was very skeptical of how it would turn out. It looks like it's just a pie crust filled with hamburger and it seemed as though it would be heavy and blah. Well, I was completely wrong! The egg oozes down from the cheese topping, settling on the bottom, creating an unexpected richness. The oregano is a surprise flavor that works nicely with the hamburger, onions and green peppers. In general, it's a great dish and one my husband declared should be added to the recipe box.
I actually prepared most of this dish during nap time. I did wait to assemble it until just before baking because I wasn't sure if the crust would get too soggy if I let it sit for a few hours. Even if you were to do all the prep work right before baking it doesn't take long to put Cheeseburger Pie together.

Cheeseburger Pie
 Print Recipe
Source: St. Paul's Cookbook, Fairmont, MN
Yields: 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 pie crust (I like to use this one)
Filling
1 lb hamburger
1/4 c chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Cheese Topping
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp mustard
2 cups shredded cheese

Directions:
   1.  Bake pie crust at 425 for 8 minutes.
   2.  While pie crust is baking, brown hamburger, onions and green pepper; drain grease as necessary. Add bread crumbs and seasonings; pour into baked pie crust.
   3.  In a small bowl, beat eggs and milk; stir in cheese and seasonings. Pour over meat.
   4.  Bake at 425 for 30 minutes.

Menu July 2

Well, we didn't stick to the menu too much last week but the deviations were based off of my plan so that kind of counts, I guess.
Instead of Ham Strata I made what I'm calling Potato Stacks-- slices of baked potato, egg, cheese and ham stacked and baked just until warmed. They turned out quite tasty, though maybe a little too tall to cut easily.

Instead of Meatball Calzones we had Cheeseburger Pie from my grandma's church cookbook. As I was putting this together I was a little skeptical because it just looked too meaty but it was wonderful! {Recipe coming soon}

On the Menu...
Corndog Muffins with BBQ Fries {New}
Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Sandwiches
Cheesy Salsa Meatloaf with Twice Baked Potatoes
Chicken Fajita Pizza

Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas.

Menu June 25

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Sandwiches: We really enjoyed these and will have them. We didn't feel the teriyaki came through all that much but thought the grilled pineapple was the tasty highlight of the sandwich.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies: You must try these! The cookies turned out wonderfully moist and incredibly fluffy and we were quite disappointed when they were gone.

On the Menu...
Hot Dogs with Homemade Baked Beans
Bunsteads
Ham Strata {New}
Meatball Calzones {New}
Chicken Alfredo Pizza {New}
Brunch TBD

Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee

We've gotten into what might be a bad habit. All three of us enjoy it when there's something a little more exciting than a handful of chocolate chips for dessert. However, I don't always have the time {or desire} to keep cookies around. Enter Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee.
It takes about 10 minutes of active work, less than 30 minutes total and produces something wonderful. The combination of salt, peanut butter and chocolate is just divine, as one would expect. So while chocolate chips have their place Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee definitely wins the battle between the two!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee
 Print Recipe
Adapted from Finding Joy in My Kitchen & My Recipes
Yields: ~30 pieces

Ingredients:
1 sleeve minus 4 Club crackers
I cup brown sugar
4 T butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips  

Directions:
   1.  Line a 11x17 baking sheet with tinfoil. Spread crackers in a single layer, with edges touching.
   2.  In a small saucepan, melt brown sugar and butter until boiling; boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Working quickly, spread over crackers. Bake at 350 for 13 minutes.
   3.  Remove pan from oven. Place peanut butter in small dollops across crackers; spread.
   4.  Sprinkle chocolate chips across crackers; return pan to oven for 1-2 minutes, until chocolate is soft. Remove from oven; spread.
   5.  Let toffee cool until hardened; break into pieces.

This is linked to Tasty Tuesday and Finding Joy in My Kitchen.

Menu June 11

Homemade Taco Seasoning: I didn't take a picture but the seasoning was perfect. I will never buy a packet again!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee: This is a combination of two different recipes and we love it! {Recipe coming soon}

On the Menu...
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Sandwiches {New}
Breaded Chicken with Potatoes
Ham & Peach Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Cheesy Salsa Meatloaf with Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Pizza Variety TBD
Pancakes

Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas.

Friday Foreshadowing

Okay, who's going to come watch my kids so I can try all these recipes? I promise you can taste each dish...

• Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies from Giving Up on Perfect: I love the idea of these {Hello chocolate!} and cannot imagine they wouldn't be good. As soon as I get butter in the house I want to try these.
• Cheeseburger & Fries Kebabs from $5 Dinners: This might just have to be our next grilling meal; how fun!
• Raspberry Buttercream Filling from Confections of a Readaholic Mom: I wish I had reason more often to make a cake because I would love to try this filling.
• Homemade Cinnamon & Sugar Pretzels from Our Best Bites: I used to work in the Cafe at Sam's Club. The pretzels always smelled so good but I just never cared for the taste. Nonetheless, I really want to try this recipe; I'm optimistic that either my tastes have changed or homemade will be better.
• Easy BBQ Chicken Salad from Pocket Change Gourmet: So simple but {I'm sure} so tasty.

This is linked to Friday Favorites.

Tropical Waffle Bake

The tropical part might sound a little off-putting but this dish comes together in a delicious way. All three of us love this breakfast and it's wonderful, tasty combination. There's just the right amount of sweetness, balanced perfectly by the waffles and eggs.
I like pulling this recipe out when we have just a few waffles in the freezer, it does a great job of stretching them to make a full meal.

Tropical Waffle Bake
 Print Recipe
Yields: 4-6 servings
Source: Pillsbury

Ingredients:
4 waffles, ripped into 2 inch pieces
1 or 2 bananas, sliced
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 can crushed or chunk pineapple, drained
1 cup granola {mine has cranberries in, a nice addition for this recipe}
1/4 cup applesauce
2 T brown sugar 

Directions:
   1.  Place waffle pieces in a 9x9 baking dish; top with sliced bananas.
   2.  In a small bowl combine eggs and sugar; pour over waffles. Place pineapple over top.
   3.  Combine granola, applesauce and brown sugar; sprinkle over top.
   4.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes; let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.