Meatloaf

Sometimes I like to make meatloaf because it reminds me of comfort food growing up. My mom used to make the best meatloaf. Here's a recipe that's really easy and feeds quite a few. If you are having company or want left overs, this is great.

2 lbs. lean hamburger meat
1 can Hunt's diced tomatoes or 3 hot house fresh tomatoes diced
10-15 Saltine crackers (crushed)
1 egg
1/2 chopped onion
1 tablespoon paprika
Kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
Heinz ketchup
Optional: 1/2 green bell pepper chopped

Mix all ingredients in large bowl (except ketchup). Spread out in 9x13 glass Pyrex pan. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Take out and zigzag ketchup on top and bake for another 5 minutes. Cut into squares. Makes about 9-12 servings.

Guacamole

There are a million ways to make guacamole. I will share my recipe and my friend Isabel's recipe. I like creamy, spicy guacamole whereas she likes chunky guacamole. Try both and see which one you like...probably both, like me!

Shanna's way
2-3 avocados
2 tablespoons salsa (see blog)
2 tablespoons sour cream
dash of Kosher salt

Isabel's way
2-3 avocados
chopped tomatoes (grape tomatoes do well and are very pretty)
2-3 tablespoons chopped onion
squirt of fresh lemon
dash of Kosher salt

Serve with tortilla chips or quesadillas (see blog for Veggie Quesadillas)

Veggie Quesadillas

Since it has been really hot this summer, we have tried to come up with some light dinner meals. We made veggie quesadillas that were so easy and delicious. This is a great dish for a vegetarian or someone who doesn't feel like making a heavy, meaty meal in the summer.

whole wheat tortillas (we use Central Market's-yummy!)
olive oil
veggies - you can use onion, garlic, zucchini, grape tomatoes (halved), spinach, carrots or any combination
cheese

Saute veggies and garlic in a skillet with olive oil. When soft put them on a tortilla in another skillet. Add cheese and cook until tortilla is slightly brown.

We served the quesadillas with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. (See guacamole and salsa recipe on blog.)

Fruit Pizza

If you "like" Paula Deen on Facebook, you will see a recipe every day pop up. One day this summer, she put her fruit pizza recipe on fb. We made it, and it was amazing. It was very refreshing on a hot day.

1 package Pillsbury sugar cookie dough
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla (Paula suggested lemon, almond, or orange extract)
fruit - we used bananas, strawberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and blueberries

Preheat oven to 350. Spread out cookie dough so it looks like a pizza. Bake for 8-15 minutes until done. Let cool. Mix cream cheese and vanilla. Spread over cookie dough and add fruit on top.

Carnegie Deli in New York City

The first meal you should have in New York is at Carnegie Deli. We ordered the pastrami sandwich which is about a pound of pastrami on bread. Mustard is on every table. This sandwich is better eaten with a fork and knife. The pickles served before the meal were ok. The best part about this deli is you may be seated at a table for eight so you get to meet people who are also visiting New York. We were seated next to a family of four from England. They recommended the pastrami sandwich. So don't forget to visit this landmark near Times Square.

Lombardi's in New York City

We also visited Lombardi's. It is the first pizzeria in NYC. After a long day on the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, we were ready for some pizza. It was incredible.
The salad was fresh, and the pizza was gourmet. It was crispy, cooked to perfection on thin crust in an authentic Italian brick oven. The slices are huge! and the restaurant deserves a bonus for the slices being non-greasy. The pizza sauce is superb and flavorful. It's actually soaked in the crust and dried on top. What brings the pizza together are the toppings. Each pizza comes with a choice of three  toppings. My family chose spinach, sausage and tomatoes. The whole pizza was mouth watering, aesthetic to our eyes and delicious to our noses. I would recommend this place for New York pizza.

Thai Seasons Restaurant in New York City

After a long day of shopping at the Columbia Bookstore, Dylan's Candy Bar, Bloomingdale's, etc. we decided to eat at Thai Seasons. We ordered the green curry chicken. It was out of this world. Make sure you get the brown rice as it has a really nice texture. We accidentally left our shopping bag full of stuff when we left. When we returned the next day, they had our bag! They begrudgingly took our reward. So for great Thai food and great service, visit Thai Seasons near 90th Street and Amsterdam in New York City!