Do You Want to Downsize Dinnertime?

Are you sitting down to quiet meals for two after years of a full house and hectic schedule? Betty Crocker’s® Cooking for Two — available in the AARP Bookstore — offers simple, easy and delicious recipes for cooks who may be downsizing, or those who are in need of fresh options for couples cuisine. Here are a few sample recipes from the book, also available as an e-book.

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Mini Meat Loaves

Prep time start to finish: 40 minutes; makes 2 servings

• 1 tablespoon fat-free (skim) milk
• 1 egg white
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 pound extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
• 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs (any flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
• Strips of cheese, if desired
  

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, beat milk, egg and Worcestershire sauce with fork. Mix in beef, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Shape into 2 (4-inch by 2 1/2-inch) loaves. Place in ungreased 8-inch square pan. Brush loaves with barbecue sauce.

Bake 18 to 22 minutes until meat thermometer inserted in center of loaf reads 160 degrees.

Decorate loaves with strips of cheese. Let stand 5 minutes.

Tip for two: These mini loaves bake in half the time of regular meat loaves. The secret? Their size, perfect for two. Serve with mashed or baked potatoes.

Nutritional information

One Serving: Calories 220 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 4g; Trans Fat 0.5g); Cholesterol 70mg; Sodium 560mg; Total Carbohydrate 9g (Dietary Fiber 0g; Sugars 4g); Protein 25g % Daily Value: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 4%; Iron 20% Exchanges: 1/2 Other Carbohydrate, 3 1/2 Lean Meat Carbohydrate Choices: 1/2

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