What's for Dinner?? MEATLOAF and MASHED POTATOES

As I sat down on the couch today to start catching up on my blogging, my sweet husband Chris said ," babe, what's for dinner?" it seems like this question is asked in nearly every household on a daily basis. My answer is usually i don't know.. what do you want? He then says.. lets try something from Pintrest! Wow how things have changed. I rarely head to the kitchen to flip through books and books.. rather, I get on my computer and head to my most favorite place to get recipes.... Pintrest! This site has changed the world one recipe, craft, outfit at a time. Alright.. back to the basics.. The Dawkins' household has been eating good these days. Oddly enough.. some of these recipes are from Paula Deen's Fall Favorites magazine that my awesome MIL (Mother in Love) gave to me! She had an extra copy!! Score for me!!!  Below you will find the recipes and a little about each of them. I hope you all enjoy the recipes i put on here.. If there is anything you would like me to try.. don't be afraid to comment and let me know.. Also.. I enjoy hearing about your cooking success stories too! Let me know if you try any of the featured recipes! Here's to good eatin'!!!

Todays Recipes include: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, Patty Melts, Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders and Scratch Cheddar Cheese Sauce, and last but not least Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes: From Paula
 2 lbs ground chuck
1 6oz can tomato paste, divided
1 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup dijon mustard divided
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 1/4 teaspoons salt divided
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Garnish: Parsley

1. preheat oven to 350. line a rimmed backing sheet with aluminum foil. spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray
2. in a large bowl, combine ground chuck 3 tablespoons tomato paste, crackers, onion, celery, 2 tablespoons mustard, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt,and pepper. Shape mixture into a 12 inch loaf on prepared backing sheet. bake for 30 minutes
3. in a small bowl, combine remaining tomato paste, remaining 2 tablespoons mustard, remaining salt, brown sugar, and lemon juice. spread over the prepared meatloaf and bake for 30 minutes or more until the internal temp of the meat is 165. let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. ( be warned.. ours did not slice and serve like the beautiful picture showed in the magazine.. none the less... it was still amazing!)

here is what ours looked like.. for the mashed potatoes... the secret is to cut the potatoes in like shapes.. put them in cold water and let the water come to a boil with the potatoes in it.. then smash them slightly once they have dried off.. warm your milk (my great grandmothers tip) it makes your potatoes very silky. then top them with a little butter and let it melt down over the heaping pile of mashed goodness!

it is a little blurry but you get the idea.. don't forget the Texas Toast