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We've been sick all week. Well, three of us at different intervals all entwined  I wanted something yummy that did not consist of soup and crackers. Here we go.....

1 lb Ground Beef
2 t Steak Seasoning (McCormick, yum)
1 T W-Sauce
1 t Onion Powder
Slices of cheese
1 Pkg Pillsbury layered rolls
Celery Stalks
Peanut Butter
Craisins
Fruit
--ketchup, mustard, pickles, etc...toppings for burgers


Pre-heat your oven to 400 deg. Bake rolls according to package directions.

In a medium bowl combine first four ingredients. Roll meat into little balls that fit in the palm of your hand; flatten and press down in the middle. I made 9 little burgers. Heat a skillet on medium heat. Add 1 T oil. Once pan is hot add burgers. Cook about 5 min, then flip and cook for another 5 or until they're done to the temperature you like ~ about 160 deg F. Once they're about done quarter your cheese slices and lay a piece on each burger. Let the cheese melt, remove burger from heat; set on a plate.

Rinse and cut celery in halves or thirds. Fill the inside of celery with peanut butter. Top with craisins.

Prepare fruit.

Open the layered rolls wherever you want. Place your burger on the bottom. Add your toppings. Cover with the top of the roll. The rolls are buttered and the kids devoured them quicker than a regular burger!

Shepard's Pie - with a twist... or two

First of all, if you don't know what Shepard's Pie is, you're missing out. It is a classic dish that you can make in 30 minutes or let simmer and bake for extra flavor.

I recently made this dish and when I went to grab the potatoes I noticed I had used them two nights before! After a quick thought of panic I looked to see what else I could use so my pie would have a topping. I looked and saw two sweet potatoes sitting on my counter. Joy! Not knowing how it would come out I thought to myself, "It can't come out that bad. It's in the same family and it is fall, after all." So I chopped and boiled my sweet potatoes and mixed in ingredients one would typically use in baked sweet potatoes and a casserole. Ending result: Delicious!!! From my 1 year old to my 30 year old (husband).

This can be a multi-tasker recipe, but don't freak out. You can let items sit for a while on lower heat and then bring it back up if you feel overwhelmed. It's okay.

1 lb ground beef (really, whatever meat you use)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 T minced garlic or 1-2 fresh cloves, minced

1 1/2 C frozen mixed veggies (you can use any veggies here or only carrots)

2 T butter

2 T flour

1 C Beef boullion (if using a cube, mix with 1 C water)

1T W-Sauce

2 medium sweet potatoes, chopped

2 T butter

milk

cinnamon

nutmeg

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes and boil for 7-8 minutes or until a fork goes through easily.

While potatoes are boiling: Brown meat, onion, and garlic in frying pan over medium heat. Drain fat, return pan to stove. Add veggies and let cook for about 5 minutes or until soft.

While meat is browning melt butter in a small frying pan or small pot (medium heat). Add flour and mix well. Bring to a small boil. Add boullion and W-Sauce, mix well. Add this mixture to your meat and veggie pan. Mix well and let cook on medium heat for 2 minutes to thicken. Transfer to a 1 1/2 qt baking dish. Prep broiler to High.

When potatoes are done cooking; drain and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and enough milk to make the mashed potatoes smooth. You can add it little bits at a time. Spread potatoes over meat mixture. Broil for about 5 minutes or until the potatoes start to brown a bit. You're not cooking anything here, just topping off the potatoes with some heat.

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This recipe can be tweaked again with Post-Thanksgiving dinner! Replace ground meat with leftover turkey. Add any vegetable leftovers. Mix with turkey gravy. Top with mashed potatoes and bake to warm up. Serve with Cranberry Sauce. Yum!