All-American Patty Melt

I was craving some comfort food and I was flipping thru some cookbooks and came across Rachael Rays Top 30 Comfort foods. Perfect I thought and it will be done in thirty minutes! My favorite part....I have told you before my husband is a picky eater...so I didn't tell him what I was making he assumed I was making hamburgers. When we sat down for dinner he raised his eyebrow and looked at me and said "I don't know about this?" Give me a high five! I scored!!! He loved it! Now if I can just talk him into Turkey & Wild Mushroom Meatloaf Patties I'll have another recipe to share.
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground sirloin
2 rounded Tbsp dill pickle relish
2 Tbsp steak sauce
1 Tbsp Montreal steak seasoning (McCormick)
2 tsp. sweet paprika
A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp butter, divided
1 lg. onion, thinly sliced
8 slices rye, white, or pumpernickel bread
8 deli slices Swiss Cheese

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Mix meat and relish, steak sauce, steak seasoning, and paprika. Divide meat and form 4 large, thin patties.
• Add oil to pan and cook burgers 3 or 4 minutes on each side. Take patties out and add another drizzle of oil and 1 Tbsp butter. When butter has melted into oil, fry onions until just tender, 5 minutes. Slide onions onto patties.
• Return pan to the stove and add the 1 Tbsp butter and 2 slices of bread. Top each bread slice with another slice of bread and press the patty melts together. Cook 2 or 3 minutes on each side to set the sandwich and toast the bread.
• Add remaining tablespoon butter to pan and repeat process to make 2 more sandwiches. Cut sandwiches from corner to corner.
• Serves 4
  

Apricot Squares

My father loves apricots. When I came across this recipe it made me think of him so of course I baked a batch and brought him a plate full. Did I mention I am his favorite? ;)
This recipe can be easily adapted you could use any flavor of preserves. If your like me you have a few jars in the refrigerator what a great way to use them and make room for more condiments!
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp lemon extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp grated orange peel
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Filling:
1 jar (18oz) apricot preserves
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon peel

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg and extract.
• Combine flour, orange peel, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
• Set aside one-third of mixture for the topping.
• Press remaining dough into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan.
• Combine preserves, lemon juice and peel; spread evenly over crust.
• Crumble reserved dough over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares.
• Yields: 2 dozen

adapted from Taste of Home Bake Sale 2009 pg.8

Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Pork

Hello everyone! Sorry its been so long. I meant to post some recipes while I was away on vacation but I got the flu and food was the last thing on my mind.

I made this recipe last week and it was the easiest and quickest meal ever! I put the ingredients together in the morning and in the evening instant meal!

1 (3lb.) pork shoulder (I used picnic)

1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce

1 small onion chopped

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 7-10 hours. When done shred the meat and serve!