Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

 I'm not a big fan of Cracker Barrel, but they do make a delicious meatloaf.  I make a pretty mean meatloaf, but we loved this recipe enough that I will make it again.  Here is a copycat recipe:

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

2 eggs

2/3 cup milk

32 Ritz crackers, crushed

1 / 2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 tsp salt

pepper

 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

 1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp mustard

Preheat oven to 350

Beat eggs. Add milk and crackers.  Stir in onion and cheese.  Add ground beef.  Mix well.  Shape into a loaf.   Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard to make the topping. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.  Spoon half of the topping over the meatloaf after 30 minutes of baking.  Return loaf to oven for 10 more minutes.  Then spoon the rest of the topping over the meatloaf.  Bake for 10 minutes more.

I served it with cooked cabbage, mashed potatoes, and Cracker Barrel baby carrots.

Pecan Pie Dump Cake

 If you like pecan pie, you will like this delicious dessert.

Pecan Pie Dump Cake

2 3/4 cups brown sugar, divided

1 cup dark corn syrup (or you can use light)

1 14 cup butter, melted and divided

3 large eggs, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 cups pecan halves, divided

1 yellow or white cake mix

1 cup hot water

Preheat the oven to 350.  Spray a 9x13 pan

In a large bowl, mix together with a whisk: 2 cups brown sugar, Corn syrup, 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs, and vanilla.  Sirt in 3 cups pecan halves.  Spread the mixture in the prepared pan.

Sprinkle the cake mix over the top.

Drizzle 3/4 cup melted butter over the top of the cake mix.

Sprinkle 3/4 cup brown sugar over the butter.

Pout the hot water over the top of that.  Don't mix.  Sprinkle 1 cup pecan halves over all.  

Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.  It will be a bit jiggly in the center, but will firm while it cools.  When cool, serve with ice cream (too rich for me) or whipped topping or with nothing at all.

Chicken Salad

I love chicken salad.  When I ran across this recipe claiming to be the world's best chicken salad, I had to give it a try.  It was so good!  It looks so simple that I didn't think it could be that good, but it really is delicious.

 Chicken Salad

1 rotisserie chicken, deboned

1 cup Mayonnaise

1 stalk celery, minced

1 small sweet onion, minced

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

1 T chopped parsley

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. pepper

Salt, if needed, to taste

Mix together.  Serve on a lettuce leaf or in a croissant or bread.

I love it open face on a piece of bread.