Warm Ham 'n' Swiss Wraps

As a stay-at-home mom, I tend to eat what the girls are eating for lunch. Which means I end up eating A LOT of sandwiches! This afternoon I was looking for something that was still along the same lines as our traditional sandwiches but something that "mommy" could enjoy a bit more. I found this and I had everything on hand, minus the tomatoes. It didn't take long to whip up and I only made what I needed for two wraps (but I'll include the compete recipe below) and it was super yummy. Again, Little Princess Guinea Pig loved it but Princess Guinea Pig did not. She took her required 3 bites before I made her something else but I'm just glad she tried it.

Ingredients:
6 flour tortillas (10 inches)
1 pound thinly sliced deli ham
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
3 cups chopped lettuce
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 cup diced cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
2 green onions, chopped

Dressing
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon celery seed.


On each tortilla, layer four slices of ham and 1/3 cup cheese;

roll up and secure with toothpicks.

Place in an ungreased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Cover and bake at 350º for 14-16 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Meanwhile combine the lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green pepper and onions.

In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients.

Unroll tortillas halfway; top each with 1/3 cup lettuce mixture and 1 tablespoon dressing.

Roll up again; serve immediately.


Enjoy! Serves 6

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Okay, you have to admit, this just sounds good, right? I saw this and just HAD to try it and I think I may have a new favorite soup!! Well, almost, my Roasted Potato Soup is still my all time favorite soup!! :D

Ingredients:
6 slices of cooked bacon; chopped
1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoon butter or margarine, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced peeled potatoes (1-3/4 pounds)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
8 ounces processed American cheese, cubed (2 cups)
1-1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cups sour cream

In a 3-qt. saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, potatoes, bacon and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3/5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream.
Enjoy!! Serves 8

** I know, not the best picture but I almost forgot to take one ;)

Sweet Cherry Pork Chops

While looking through my recipes last week, I came across this and it sounded so yummy but I wasn't sure if I would be able to find the cherries to make it. I got lucky and found some at the store that day. I was super excited to make this and I thought for sure my girls would love it. Little Princess Guinea Pig said it was "Yummy!", while Princess Guinea Pig picked at it and said she didn't like the cherries in the sauce, so she picked them out and ate it without the cherries. Daddy Guinea Pig and I both loved the sweetness of this dish and went back for seconds!

Ingredients:
4 boneless pork chops (1 inch thick)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup pitted sweet cherries, halved
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup cherry preserves
4 teaspoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
Hot cooked rice

In a large skillet, brown pork chops in oil on both sides; drain.

Add the orange juice, cherries and onions to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 160º, turning the chops twice.

Remove chops and keep warm. Stir preserves into pan juices.

In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into pan juices.

Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.

Serve over pork and rice.

Enjoy! Serves 4

Meat Loaf

I remember as a child I would CRINGE when my mom would make Meat Loaf (and I consider her an excellent cook), I've never really cared for hamburger but several months back I had this overwhelming craving for Meat Loaf, so I went on a search to find a good Meat Loaf recipe. I found this one tucked away in my recipe box and thought I would give it a try. What caught my eye was the topping - as I remember drowning mine with ketchup as a kid, just so I could eat it. I first made this for the girls and I and they LOVED it and so did I. So last week, I again had a craving for Meat Loaf (and no, I am not pregnant, lol) so I made it for the whole family and I'm happy to report, this recipe was a complete success! I hope your family enjoys it, too!

Ingredients:
1 small onion
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

Topping:
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce


Preheat over to 350º F. Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with foil (this allows you to lift the meat loaf out easily without sticking). Spray with cooking spray.
Chop onion and bell pepper.

Combine milk and egg in a large bowl

add bread crumbs, basil, parsley and pepper. Stir until blended.

Add onion and bell pepper; mix well.

Add beef; mix by hand just to combine ingredients.

Shape beef mixture in prepared loaf pan. Do not pack.

For topping, combine ketchup, honey and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Mix well. Spread evenly over top of meat loaf.
**We liked the topping so much last time that I double it this go around. ;)

Bake meat loaf until cooked through, about 1 hour. Place pan on wire rack; let stand for 5 minutes. Lift meat loaf out of pan and place on a serving platter. Remove foil. Serve immediately.
Serves 6

Enjoy!!