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I’m not going to talk about the fact that December is already here, but it is! Have you had enough of turkey or ham over the past week? I never get tired of eating turkey as there are so many ways to serve it.

 I have a lot of what I think are good hamburger recipes. Most of todays recipes can be prepared and put on the table in about 40 minutes or less.
Can you believe this... I’m getting right to recipes, starting with two quick and easy recipes for hors d’oeuvres to serve an “in between” the holidays party.

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APRICOT BARBECUE-STYLE MEATBALLS
3/4 c. each, apricot preserves and your favorite barbecue sauce
1-18 oz. package frozen, fully cooked meatballs, thawed

In a small bowl, combine first two ingredients. Heat over medium heat until hot. Put meatballs in a crock pot; pour barbecue sauce mixture over meatballs, stirring gently to coat. Heat on low heat for two hours or until meatballs are hot, stirring occasionally. Makes about three dozen.

Note: You can combine the meatballs and sauce the day before and refrigerate, covered. Add about one hour more to warming time.

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MEATBALLS WITH THAI DIPPING SAUCE
1-18 oz. package frozen fully-cooked beef meatballs
Dipping Sauce:
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/3 c. milk
1 T. lime juice
2 t. soy sauce
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. ginger
1/8 t. ground red pepper (cayenne)

Cook meatballs according to package directions. Meanwhile combine peanut butter and milk in a small bowl; mix until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve with meatballs. Makes about three dozen.

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NACHO CHEESE 
BEEF BAKE
2 c. uncooked medium egg noodles
1 lb. ground beef
1-15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1-10 3/4 oz. can nacho cheese soup, undiluted
1-5 3/4 oz. jar sliced pimiento-stuffed olives, drained
1-4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1-1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 c. crushed tortilla chips
1/3 c. prepared ranch salad dressing
Shredded lettuce, sour cream and/or salsa, optional
Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in next four ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in noodles.

Tranfer to a greased 9x9 inch or 7x11 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees to 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Top with tortilla chips; drizzle with salad dressing. Serve with lettuce, sour cream and/or salsa if you wish. Makes four servings.

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DOUBLE-CHEESE MEATLOAF
Meatloaf:
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 c. each, shredded cheddar cheese and fresh bread crumbs
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1 t. dried thyme leave
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
Topping:
1/4 c. each, bottled chili sauce and shredded cheddar cheese.

In a large bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape meat mixture into an 8x4 inch shape. Put into greased 9x5 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes until meatloaf juices no longer run when inserting a paring knife in center of loaf. At the end of baking time, spoon chili sauce over top of loaf; sprinkle with cheddar cheese and continue to bake until cheese is melted, about 1-2 minutes. Let meatloaf sit 10 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with additional cheese if you wish. Makes eight servings. Note: An easy way to remove the loaf from the pan is to use two spatulas, putting one under each end of loaf and lifting out onto cutting surface. If you don’t have two spatulas, use a rubber scraper on one end.... or whatever!

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PIZZA HOTDISH
2 c. elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions, drained
1 lb. lean hamburger or one pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 c. diced green pepper
1-15 oz. can tomato sauce
3/4 t. Italian seasoning
1/4 t. each, dried oregano leaves, dried basil leaves and pepper
1/8 t. garlic powder (or more if you’re a garlic lover)
2/3 c. sliced in half, black olives
1-4 oz. can mushroom pieces, drained and coarsely chopped, optional
1/2 c. milk
1 egg
2 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese

Put cooked macaroni in a large bowl; set aside. In a large skillet, brown hamburger; drain. Add onions, green pepper, tomato sauce and seasonings. Simmer 10 minutes. In a small bowl, beat together milk and egg; stir into macaroni. Stir in olives and mushrooms. Turn into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover macaroni with hamburger mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly around edges. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake additional five minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes six to eight servings.

Thought for the Day: Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us.

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