the best cinnamon rolls ive ever had in my life!

2 c. whole milk (if you're in a pinch, you can use 2%, but whole is best. Don't use 1% or skim)
½ c. + 1 Tbsp. sugar, divided
1/3 c. (5 1/3 Tbsp.) butter
2 tsp. Kosher salt
2 pkgs. active dry yeast (or 4 1/2 tsp.), preferably bread machine yeast
2/3 c. warm (105-115-degree) water
8-9 c. all-purpose flour
3 beaten eggs


Combine milk, 1/2 c. sugar, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until butter melts. It's salty. It's sweet. Yum.

Remove from heat. Allow to cool to lukewarm. I usually rub some ice cubes along the sides of the pan or pop the entire pan in a sink full of ice cubes to cool the mixture down because this step can take forever. This step is really important because if the mixture is too hot, it will kill the yeast.

While the milk mixture is cooling, dissolve the yeast and 1 Tbsp. sugar in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes. If the yeast hasn't bubbled, you'll need to repeat this step--moving on with yeast that hasn't been activated properly will only end in heartache for you and hate mail for us.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 c. flour and milk mixture. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Add yeast mixture and beat on high for 3 minutes.
Add beaten eggs. Why should you beat your eggs first? Same reason you should combine your dry ingredients before adding them to moist ingredients when making cookies and cakes--it ensures everything is well-mixed and can be evenly-distributed through your dough or batter. If you add the whole eggs, your dough may not be as consistent.

Stir in as much remaining flour as needed to make a soft dough. This dough should be very soft--it will be coming away from the sides of the bowl, but it will still stick to your finger when you touch it. Don't worry, it will firm up during the rising process. Part of what makes these rolls so good is that they're so soft and light; if you add too much flour, they will be heavy and dense. Place the bowl in a warm place and cover with a clean towel; allow to rise 1 hour.

Punch down. Lightly flour your surface and roll out dough. I cut my loaf into 2 halves and rolled them out one at a time. Rolled the dough into a rectangle as thin as i could get it without getting a hole. I smeared butter all over the top of the dough and covered with half of this mixture:
2 cup brown sugar
5 tbs cinnamon

Then roll up pulling the longer edge towards you. Using tooth floss cut into about 3/4 inch rolls and place side by side in a greased pan with sides. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Bake at 375 for 15-20 or until golden brown.
Take out and ice when cooled. I LOVED this frosting for them:
2 sticks butter
3 cups powdered sugar
3/4 bar softened cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla

ENJOY!!

moist meatloaf

i found a recipe for meatloaf at simplyrecipes.com and i did a little mixing around with the ingredients. it turned out so good! lots of flavor and really moist! it tastes great with mashed potatoes and gravy!!

Preheat oven to 350

Chop
* 1 cup of finely chopped onion
* 1 celery rib, chopped fine
* 1 Tbsp minced garlic
* 1 carrot, chopped fine
* 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
melt butter with these vegetables in a large skillet for about ten minutes or until carrots are tender (instead of chopping i blended my vegetables in a chopper so they are very fine)
then add
* 2 teaspoon salt (use 1 1/2 teaspoons if using Italian sausage)
* 1 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
* 2 tsp Worscestershire sauce
* 2/3 cup ketchup (i used tomoatoe sauce)
take off heat
in a separate bowl combine
* 1 pound of ground chuck
* 1 pound of spicy ground pork sausage (i used Italian sausage)
* 1 cup fresh bread crumbs (i used italian)
* 2 large eggs, beaten slightly
* 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
* 1/2 and 8oz package of softened cream cheese

In a large bowl, combine the meats, eggs, vegetables, bread crumbs, and parsley. Form into a loaf and put into a rectangular baking pan with 2-inch high sides

Bake the meatloaf in the oven for 1 hour.

Serves 4 to 6, with plenty for leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches.