To test meatloaf for doneness, use a meat thermometer.  Insert the thermometer into the center of the loaf.  If the meatloaf is 155 degrees, it is okay to take it out.  The meat will warm to 160 degrees as it rests.

Zucchini skins often have a gritty texture that a quick rinse doesn’t remove.  Use a vegetable wash or gently scrub with a soft vegetable brush under running water.

I always love easy to make slow cooker recipes. I love being able to throw together a few things in the morning, and then have supper ready for that evening. Like tonight, Bill was over an hour late, but the kids and I were able to eat.

1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup Italian dressing
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (I used Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce)
1 tsp oregano leaves
1 lb beef stew meat
4 potatoes
1 bag baby carrots (16oz)
1 large onion, cut into chunks
3 tbsp tastefully Simple Bacon Bacon Seasoning (A couple pieces of chopped up bacon should work too)
3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp water

Mix broth, dressing, BBQ sauce, and oregano in a bowl. Put all remaining ingredients in the slow cooker except for the flour and water.  Pour bowl mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 8 - 9 hours (or 4 - 5 hours on high).

Fifteen minutes before you want to serve, use a slotted spoon and transfer meat and veggies to a serving bowl.  Cover with foil.

In a bowl, mix the flour and water until well blended.  Stir into slow cooker.  Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes.  Spoon over meat and vegetables.

To mash potatoes, use a hand masher, a potato ricer, or for a smoother result, an electric mixer.  Be sure not to overbeat your potatoes.  Otherwise, they will become thick and pasty.

I have been debating on which blog I should give a copy of this book away on.  However, since this blog mainly focuses on food, I decided this one. 

Food Fights is a great book that talks about the food issues most of use have at our dinner tables each and every day.  It is about which battles are worth fighting over and which are not.  It also has some great advice on what to do with certain behaviors like thowing food.  There is even a section about the 5 second rule!  As a parent, this is must read.

Sounds like something you’d be interested in?  Well, I have a copy that I will be giving away to one of my lucky readers!  What do you have to do?

1. Leave a comment on this post. I want to know why you would want this book.
2. Twitter about this contest. Please leave me your username so I can verify.
3. Stumble this post. If you don’t know what Stumble Upon is, please read Lori’s post at Blogging Cents. She explains it extremely well.
4. Add this post to other social media sites like Digg, Kirtsy, Blogging Zoom, Reddit, Propeller, Etc.

For 5 additional entries,

1. Blog about this on your blog. Please give me the URL, so I can verify.
2. Add this to any forums you belong too. Please give me the URL, so I can verify.
3. Subscribe to this blog using either my email or RSS feed
4. Add my badge to your sidebar:

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Good luck! This contest will end November 16, 2008 at 11:59 PM CST and is for US residents only.