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Menu Plan for the week of Jan. 11, 2013:  Sunday's Recipes

Mini Meat Loaves
Broccoli Rice Gratin

Cooking time:  45 minutes for menu      Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

     Two of the meat loaves are for Tuesday: cover and refrigerate. There is just a bit of prep time, then the whole dinner cooks in the oven.

Mini Meat Loaves                                                   Preparation and cooking time:  45 minutes
      Great meat loaf taste in a small package.  You can cut this recipe in half (except for the egg) or make it in one large loaf (bake for 60 minutes).  You can also make them ahead and freeze. To bake from freezer,  unwrap and bake for 45 - 55 minutes.  You could use ground turkey or any combination of beef, pork, turkey or chicken.  

16oz (450gr) ground beef (mince)
1 egg
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs Dijon-style mustard
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
8oz (250ml) tomato sauce

In large bowl lightly beat egg.  Add all of the rest of the ingredients except beef and tomato sauce and mix well.  Add beef and mix well - best to use your hand, kneading it like bread dough.  Shape into 4 loaves and put into a large 9 X 13 baking pan, spacing evenly.  Bake at 400F (200C) for 20 minutes.  Remove and pour tomato sauce evenly over all 4 loaves.  Bake 15 minutes longer or until done.  Remove.  Slice and serve 2; save 2.  

Broccoli Rice Gratin                                                Preparation and cooking time:   40 minutes
      This couldn't be easier: stir it all together and bake for 35 minutes.  The rice gets surprisingly fluffy...

1/2 cup (3oz, 90gr) quick-cooking brown rice
1 cup (8oz 240ml) chicken stock
1/2 medium head broccoli, app 5oz (150gr) trimmed
1/2 medium onion
1/2 cup (4oz, 120gr) ricotta
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp thyme
1/3 cup (1.5oz, 45gr) shredded cheese

Chop onion.  Trim broccoli and cut into small florets, with some stem.  Mix rice, onion, stock, herbs and ricotta. Put the rice mixture into a baking dish.  Arrange the broccoli over the rice, pressing it down firmly.  Cover and bake, 400F (200C) for 30 minutes.  Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes longer, uncovered.  Serve.

Cooking Schedule: 45 minutes for menu Assemble all ingredients and utensils Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives, large bowl, large baking dish, medium bowl, medium baking dish Turn on oven 400F (200C) arrange 2 shelves Chop onion, finely chop half Mix all ingredients for meat loaf (not beef, sauce) Add ground meat, mix well Divide mixture into 4ths, make loaves, put in dish

Bake meat loaves Trim, cut broccoli Assemble Broccoli Rice Gratin, bake            15 minute break Remove meat loaves, spoon sauce over, return to oven             15 minute break Remove meat loaves, let rest 5 minutes Uncover gratin, sprinkle with cheese, bake Slice 2 meat loaves (refrigerate other 2 after they cool) Remove gratin, serve, eat

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By Katie Zeller

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