Mummy Meatloaf

Halloween dinner can't be creepier than this! Don't worry, this tastes better than it looks. :) Use your favorite meatloaf recipe and dress it up to look like a mummy or use mine posted at the bottom. See my step by step pics for assembly below.

Mummy Meatloaf

Your favorite meatloaf recipe (or see mine below)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
Onion
3 slices of bacon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put your meatloaf in a 9x13 in baking dish, or on a rimmed cookie sheet and shape it into a head.
3. Mix ketchup and brown sugar in a small bowl, and spread on the top of the meatloaf, leaving a couple of spoonfuls in the bowl for later.
4. Cut the end off of the onion and then cut one slice. Find 2 rings for eyes and put them on the meatloaf. Cut out some teeth from the leftover rings and position them on.
5. Wrap one slice of bacon from the top corner of the head down between the eyes and over to the side. Wrap another underneath the eye to the opposite side of the face. Wrap the last one at the top of the head. OR just do whatever you think looks good. :)
6. Spread the last 2 spoonfuls of ketchup and brown sugar mixture over the slices of bacon.
7. Bake for 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Serve with brain jello.

My Meatloaf
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp McCormick Montreal Steak seasoning
1 cup beef broth
Mix everything together with hands

Candy Corn Cookies

I changed up my last cookie recipe to add candy corns! Perfect fall kid cookie!  I even recruited my kids to help me make them by breaking the candy corns in half. These cookies sometimes have an irregular shape if the candy corns stick out and melt on the sides, but they taste sooo good!!

Candy Corn Cookies
2 cups flour
2 tsps cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tsps vanilla
1/2 cup vanilla chips
3/4 cup candy corns, chopped in half

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
2. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. In mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
4. Add flour mixture and to creamed mixture, and stir until combined. Stir in vanilla chips and candy corn pieces.
5. Using a TBSP sized scoop, drop dough onto prepared pan.
6. Bake on cookie sheets for 8-10 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes on pan then transfer to wire rack.
Makes about 2 1/2 dozen

Baked Ziti

I've made some new friends in San Antonio that have new recipes for me to try! This baked ziti was delicious! I especially loved the layer of sour cream. I like the fresh taste of parsley so I added it to the recipe. It makes a huge pan pan full, so be ready for leftovers! Another option is to assemble it in 2 8x8 pans and freeze one for later.

Baked Ziti
adapted from bmrobertsrecipes.blogspot.com
1 lb. ziti or rigitoni pasta
1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ lb. ground beef (season with salt, pepper, onion powder)
½ lb. ground italian sausage
2 (26 oz.) jars spaghetti sauce
2 TBSPs fresh parsley, chopped
8 slices provolone cheese
1 ½ cups sour cream
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. In a large skillet, brown onion, garlic, ground beef and sausage over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce and parsley, and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a deep 9x13in baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Layer as follows: ½ of pasta, ½ of sauce, provolone slices, sour cream, last ½ of pasta, 1 cup mozzarella, and last ½ of sauce. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until cheeses are melted.

Layers