Make Ahead Tips:

You can make the Honey Cinnamon Butter ahead of time and refrigerate until serving. You can also prepare the meat loaf and refrigerate it before baking.

The Recipes:

Honey Barbecue Meat Loaf

I'm not usually a meat loaf eater but I love this one and the family does too.

• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup oats -- quick cooking
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce -- honey flavored
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon mustard -- prepared
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 pound ground beef
• ketchup

In a large bowl, stir together soup mix, egg, oats, barbecue sauce, onion, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper and chili powder. Add beef and mix well. Press into an ungreased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350* for 1 hour. Top with ketchup.

Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 160*. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Ranch Mashed Potatoes:

Make regular mashed potatoes but with the following changes:

• Omit the butter
• Replace some of the milk with Ranch dressing (I prefer either Uncle Dans or Hidden Valley Ranch mixes, prepared)
• Add 2-3 Tbsp. of cream cheese
• Top with shredded cheddar and, if you wish, bacon bits

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

My kids love these (so do I) so there's never any leftovers. We also make them for breakfast. Be sure to try them with `Honey Cinnamon Butter' (recipe follows).

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons applesauce
• 1 medium tart apple -- peeled & grated

Topping:

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine -- cold
• 1/2-cup oatmeal -- old fashioned

In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Add the egg, milk, oil and applesauce and stir until just moistened. Fold in apple. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. For topping, combine brown sugar and flour. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in oats. Sprinkle over muffins. Bake at 400* for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Serve warm with Honey Cinnamon Butter (recipe follows).

Yield: 1 dozen.

Honey Cinnamon Butter

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl; beat until smooth. Serve with muffins, toast, bagels, French toast or pancakes. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Yield: 1 1/3 cups.

©, 2003, Monica Resinger