Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Cupcakes For Dinner? April Fools!!

Would you like a yummy Cupcake with Pink Frosting for dinner? April Fools! This is one way to get your kids to eat the meatloaf and mashed potatoes or to get your husband to eat a cupcake. It's also better than short sheeting their bed, like my kids have done to me on past April Fools Day. Or serving wooden olives, or waking them up saying there is a freak snowstorm....well, one year we actually did have a freak snow storm on April 1st. It's nice to have a day that a practical joke is accepted and hopefully met with a smile. Enjoy your cupcakes or whatever surprise comes your way! Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting 1 pound 95% lean ground beef 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 large clove garlic, chopped fine 2/3 cup chopped mixed red and green peppers 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 teaspoon Herb de Provence or mixed Italian herbs 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, toasted 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 tablespoons ketchup 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 egg, slightly beaten Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 6 cup muffin tin with foil cups, if desired. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute peppers, onions and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in herbs and let cool to room temperature. Put the ground beef in a large bowl and add the onion and pepper mixture, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper and egg. Thoroughly mix together with clean hands. Divide mixture into 6 equal parts and put into the muffin tins, mounding slightly at the top to resemble a baked cupcake. Put in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until done. Drain off extra grease and if the liners became greasy from overflowing, replace with fresh foil liners. Top with tinted mashed potato "frosting" and serve with delight and mischief! Pink Mashed Potatoes 3 large white potatoes 3 tablespoons butter about 1/4 cup half and half salt to taste beet juice from small can of canned beets or few drops red food coloring Peel and dice potatoes into 1 inch cubes. Cover well with cold water and bring to boil. Boil for about 20-25 minutes or until done. Drain and put into a medium bowl. Add butter and beat with an electric beater until smooth. Add half and half until the potatoes have a creamy consistency. Add beet juice or coloring until they reach desired color. The potatoes are now ready to spread or pipe onto meatloaf "cupcakes".Serves 6. A few notes and observations: Cupcake liners are optional for the initial baking, but make for easier cleanup. Replacing liners is a must for a tidy appearance and to disguise what is really inside. The meatloaf can be made in advance and heated in the microwave (without the foil liners!) and frosted just before serving. I made and frosted them in advance and heated in the microwave just before serving. You just have to put them into the foil liners very carefully. They can be a little fussy, but are so much fun to trick unsuspecting diners! Have fun, and put a little ketchup on your cupcake! Written and photographed by Diane. 

Download Meatloaf and Mashed Potato recipe (pdf)

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