Extra Spicy Green Tomato Salsa

Just a quick update to my last post...

Adam is having a "Hot Off" (aka a competition to see who can handle the spiciest foods) at work today and requested I make that Green Tomato Salsa with habaneros instead of jalapenos. I just made a new batch not only with orange habaneros, but with double the amount (four instead of two). He claims it is so good, people would pay money for it. I'm not trying it, so I'll have to take his word for it.

If you or someone you know is one of those crazy people that likes to eat food so spicy that they sweat until their clothes are drenched, maybe give this version a try:

5 green tomatoes
1 onion
1 garlic clove
4 habanero peppers
small handful of cilantro
salt to taste
(I skipped the 1 tbsp of vegetable oil this time)

Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting

So, I live with this boy. And this boy thinks cupcakes. are. stupid.

Yes, I know. There are no words. He is clearly insane.

I was determined to bake a cupcake he would like, and since he also is not a big fan of chocolate or any type of dessert (like I said, INSANE), but LOVES meat, we have meatloaf cupcakes. I think it was my friend Alex who first read about such a thing, so we decided to make some for Mr. I Hate Everything that is Good last weekend.

Also, I should probably mention that this was not just my first time making any sort of meatloaf, but it was also my first time eating meatloaf (at least that I can remember). So, I might sort of be insane too...

Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato "Frosting"

Adapted from Simply Recipes

1 diced onion

1 finely chopped celery rib (I never knew they were called ribs)

1 finely chopped carrot

1/2 cup finely chopped scallions

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 tbsp unsalted butter

2 tsp salt

1 1/3 tsp ground pepper

2 tsp Worscestershire sauce

2/3 cup ketchup

2 lbs. ground beef*

1 cup breadcrumbs

2 large eggs

1/3 cup minced fresh parsley leaves (I think we forgot these...oops)

*You can use a mix of ground beef and ground pork or ground pork sausage, but we stuck to ground beef

For the frosting:

About 3 potatoes

Butter

Cream or milk

Salt and pepper

Preheat the over to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter in a large skillet, then add the onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and scallions. Cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat while stirring. Cover the skillet and stir occasionally. Cook for 5 more minutes or until carrots are tender. Add the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and half the ketchup. Cook for one more minute.

In a large bowl, combine the meats, eggs, vegetables, bread crumbs, and parsley (but if you happen to forget the parsley, they will still be tasty). Grease a muffin tin or line with baking foils. Fill each cup with the meatloaf mixture and form into a cupcake shape (the mixture will not rise). We had enough mixture for about 14 cupcakes, but only had one tin, so used the extra meat to make 2 mini meatloaves on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes or until done.

Meanwhile, peel and boil the potatoes until done. Drain the water and mash, adding butter, cream or milk, salt and pepper to taste.

When the meatloaves are done, spread the mashed potatoes on top to look like frosting. If you want to get fancy, put in a ziploc bag and cut a hole in the corner to make a piping bag. Feel free to decorate with ketchup, mustard, green onions, or anything else you desire.

Serve warm. Any extras taste great reheated in the microwave.