Meatloaf Brasciole

    O.k..........it's been a long time since I've posted a meat recipe on the blog and I'm just a little excited to share this one.  It's definitely not your typical, boring meatloaf recipe!  "Brasciole" are, basically, thin slices of meat rolled around a filling and cooked with or without tomato sauce/wine. There can be many different variations, and you may sometimes see them referred to as "Involtini".

    As a child, I loved my gramma's version!  She baked hers on skewers and served them along with tomato sauce, but not in the sauce; they were delicious!!  My kids grew up enjoying the same recipe! (Note to self.....share gramma's brasciole recipe on the blog in the future!)  I've  made variations that are also delicious.

    So, what is "Meatloaf Brasciole", you ask?  Well, you mix several yummy ingredients together to make the meatloaf base and, then, you layer on a few more yummy ingredients, roll the whole thing up into this delicious loaf and, there you have it........meatloaf, all dressed up, Italian-style!!

Italian Pepperoni-Cheese Puffs

    Happy Holidays Everyone!!  I'm sure you're all in the middle of your baking, shopping, and the rest of your holiday preparations.  And many of you are probably finished and just waiting for the celebrating to begin.  I, on the other hand, have not baked one Christmas cookie yet!  Now, granted, the house is decorated and looking pretty festive, but the real baking doesn't usually start until two weeks before Christmas.  I always intend on starting earlier, but somehow, two weeks before the big day, is always when it begins.  Maybe it's because, when I home schooled the kids, we would be doing our school work up until
that time.  Then, when we were on Christmas break, I'd dive into all the baking.  Well, whatever the reason, it always gets done.  Then it's kind of like a baking marathon around here...... I love it!

    Since this is such a busy time and there are so many parties/get-togethers going on, I thought a quick and tasty appetizer idea would be a great thing to share.  These are like mini savory cream puffs, Italian-style!  They're very light and go well with a little pizza sauce on the side.