Mexican Meatloaf

Marilyn Strothman, Henry County

Ingredients: 

2 lbs. hamburger

1 medium onion, diced

1 can chopped green chilies 

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 c. cooked rice

1 (16 oz.) jar picante sauce

10 oz. grated cheese

8 oz. cheesy Doritos, crushed

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Brown hamburger and onion in a skillet. Add green chilies, cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom soup, cooked rice and picante sauce. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Crush 8 oz. cheesy Doritos in bottom of a 9x13-inch pan. Pour meat mixture over top, spreading evenly. Top with grated cheese. Bake for 10 minutes. 

Quick variation: Crush Doritos on dinner plate, scoop meatloaf on top, cover with cheese. We like this method best because the Doritos aren’t soggy. 

French Onion Casserole

Jean Jennings, Jasper County

Ingredients: 

2/3 stick of butter

6 yellow onions, sliced

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 c. milk

1/2 tsp. black pepper

12 oz. grated Swiss cheese

6-8 slices French bread

Melted butter

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt stick of butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions, and saute until translucent, about 10 to 15 minutes. Grease 9x13-inch baking dish, and spread onions evenly in dish. In a bowl, mix soup, milk and pepper. Pour over onions. Spread cheese evenly over onion mixture. Brush one side of French bread slices with melted butter. Place on top of onions, butter side up. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. 

Chocolate-Almond Zucchini Bread

Maureen Hellinga, Osceola County

Ingredients: 

3 c. sifted flour

2 c. sugar

1-1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 c. chopped blanched almonds

1 c. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla 

3 eggs

2 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted

2 c. shredded zucchini

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, sift together first six ingredients. Stir in almonds. In medium bowl, mix oil, vanilla and eggs until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate until well blended. Stir in zucchini. Stir zucchini mixture into dry ingredients just until moistened. Pour batter into greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove; cool on rack. Makes one large loaf. 

For more ideas, visit iowafarmbureau.com/recipes

Email recipes to jgoolsby@ifbf.org or mail to: Communications Division, Spokesman Recipes, 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266. Food photos are welcome too!