Poptarts-better than poptarts

Ok so floating around pinterest is yet again some recipes for poptarts. I didn't really follow any certain recipe (because you know me) But here is what I did.

So it is a snow day (well what they call a snow day here)and G-man wants a poptart. So I decided to make them.

I have a go to pie crust that has never-ever failed me. Here it is (without a food processor) and when my food processor was alive I used this one. Both are equally yummy. And if you are super lazy Buy refrigerated crust- it is just as good).

I also made a quick jam filling (please don't pass out when you see the sugar content) I used 16 oz bag frozen strawberries and 1 cup of sugar. I put it in a large pot and let it slowly come to a boil ( you can use store bought jam too)

once the strawberries broke down I cranked the heat a bit and stirred, and stirred until I got the consistency I wanted (it coated the spoon)

That Jam is hot and when I say hot I mean melt your skin off hot-be careful!

Ok so here is what you need:
Pie crust
jam
icing (optional)I personally think they are toooooo sweet with the icing but the kids loved it (naturally)
(the icing is just a simple glaze powdered sugar tad of vanilla and a couple drops of water or milk)
sprinkles (optional)
One egg beaten for egg wash

Roll your dough out into rectangles and and a small amount (I made small poptarts so I used about a TBSP) of filling in the center

top with the other half and pinch/crimp together with fingers or a fork.
Place poptarts on cookie sheet (ungreased) and brush tops with beaten egg bake at 450 for 6-10 minutes depending on your oven or until the edges are browned. top with icing and sprinkles if using. Let COOL COMPLETELY (trust me)

Now for the grownup version I added cream cheese filling to mine It was so full I had to eat it with a fork (whoops) but here is what I did.

I used a little less that the half block of cream cheese I had left, sprinkled some sugar (oh eyeball it, you can taste it after you beat it together I would say about 1 1/2- 2 TBSP) a capful of PURE vanilla a drop or two of milk and some fresh grated lemon zest

Beat it all together

Meatloaf Muffins.

Meatloaf: An inexpensive versatile meal that is sure to please. I read a lot of Old cookbooks, My great aunt sent me a huge pile of them. Many of them come with instructions on how to be a "perfect housewife". I am positive that meatloaf served with canned fruit cocktail and a green (beans or salad) at least 2 times a week in the 50's. Any way. Here is what I did. Remember, I hate to measure and my family is strange.

1lb lean ground beef (I actually only had 80/20 here which worked great but I suppose you could go much leaner or even use Bison)
1 Carrot
1/2 of an onion
1 Large Garlic Clove
About 1 TBSP Oregano
2 good pinches of celery seed (or if you have celery on hand add it instead, (I would say 1 stalk would be sufficient)
3/4-1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup ketchup and 1/2 cup ketchup mixed with 1 1/2 TBSP of Worcestershire sauce)
Salt and pepper to taste

(Funny note, no one says Worcestershire sauce right, except for My husbands Cousin who is of course from London. Except he calls it sauce, apparently it is automatically known that when you ask for sauce that is what is given)

Preheat oven to 350

So Because my family is stranger than strange I grate all vegetables so that they have no idea of the contents of what they eat, sad but oh so true.
With a cheese grater (largest holes) Grate your onion (and celery if you are using stalks instead of seed)
With the small holes grate the carrots and garlic

In a skillet with a small amount of butter (or olive oil) saute the veggies until they are completely tender.

While those are cooking get your meat ready Add your meat, egg, 1/4 cup ketchup, salt, pepper, oregano, celery seed (if using) and bread crumbs.

Add your sauteed veggies (it is best if you let them cool so you don't cook the egg or meat and you don't want to burn your hands ;) Live and learn baby, live and learn)

Mix together well but do not over mix, the more you handle it the greasier the meat will become.

Grease your muffin tin I got 8 muffins out of this. Make small balls and press them gently into the cups of your tin. Top each one with a generous amount of the ketchup/Worcestershire sauce mix.

Bake for 25 minutes at 350
I topped 3 of mine with a colby/jack cheese (after they were done I cut the oven off and popped it back in until cheese had melted) and I wish I had topped them all!