I had a hard time getting the ears on right, but that's just me. Taste wise it was fine, but my family is more accustomed to my meatloaf, which never has tomato, and I don't used packaged seasonings. I think I'll make this again next year, but I might do it spaghetti and meatballs style (spaghetti can either be worms or the "rats nest" cuz my creativeness-less self could not think of something to fit it to serve w/ so I tossed it ontop of some shoestring hashbrowns and said they were in a rats nest lol

Reviewed On: Nov. 3, 2009

I think this is more of a 4 1/2 recipe, but I made a few changes so can't vouch for the original. The changes I made were partly out of necessity, part based on other reviews, and part just cuz. I don't know exactly how much beef I used, but I'm guessing between 2 1/2 and 3 lbs (I had bought a 5 lbs roll, and it was what was left) I couldn't find plain red beans, so I bought a 2lb can of chili beans, and just added them all in, didn't think to drain and rinse em. I also didn't bother to measure the green pepper, just used a whole one. I used an whole onion and 1/2 onion, cuz I had a half onion in the fridge I wanted used up, and the whole onion measured up a tad bit short. And, I added an extra tsp cumin, doubled to oregano, sugar and cayenne. Also, since my husband ended up working late, the chili ended up simmering closer to 3 hours. This didn't hurt it a bit. Usually when my husband comes in late, he's to tired to eat much, but he downed 2 big bowls and actually wants the left overs for dinner tonight. I few reviews mentioned that it was thin and watery, I didn't have that problem, but it maybe because I tossed in a few extra solids. T. It's not a hot chili, but does have plenty of flavor, which is how I like it but the chili powder still kinda overwhelms everything a bit for my taste, so next time I make it, I'll probably scale it down just a teeny bit.

Reviewed On: Nov. 3, 2009

Honestly, I thought I hated pancakes until today. Growing up pancakes were made from a box mix, I'd never had them made from scratch. Since I don't like pancakes, I didn't have any mix in the house, when an overnight guest requested pancakes for breakfast, I had to find a recipe. I'm glad I chose this one. I followed the recipe exactly, but played around with the mixing method. I don't know if it would have made any difference, had I done it the way instructed, but I mixed the dry ingredients in one bowl, and whisked them together. Then I separated the egg, and beat the whites in a large bowl until frothy, then I slowly incorporated the yolk, milk, then butter, all while beating it on low. Then, I slowly added the dry ingredients. My pancakes were light and fluffy, and delicious. I'm now a pancake convert, and will be making the recipe again. I might add the vanilla suggested by other reviewers, just to see how it turns out.

Reviewed On: Aug. 19, 2009