Stuffed French Bread

When I found this recipe months ago, it turned into an automatic hit. Kids and husband both really like it. And it makes great leftovers!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf french bread
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 Tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

• 1
  Preheat oven to 350° F. Slice the french bread in half, lengthwise, so you have two equal pieces. Scoop out the bread in the center of each piece. Place bread in a large bowl and tear into small chunks. Set the two halves of french bread onto a large baking sheet. Set aside.
• 2
  Brown the ground beef and onion in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Drain any grease. Add the celery and garlic to skillet. Cook a few minutes until celery is tender. Next, add soup, milk and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook mixture until heated; another 5 minutes or so.
• 3
  Add the beef mixture to the bread in the large bowl. Stir to combine. Pour mixture into the center of one half of the french bread. Spread out evenly. Top the mixture with the shredded cheese. Top with the other half of bread.
• 4
  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

6 servings

http://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/

Macaroni Salad

Ever since I can remember, I have loved my best friend's mom, Mrs. Swete's macaroni salad. So much so that now when I go home for visits, she will set aside a special batch just for me! I believe she enjoys the fact that her recipe is a best kept secret, because I have asked multiple times for it and she always has a way of skirting the topic.
So...I recently began my quest for a macaroni salad recipe that might just resemble hers. I don't know if it was beginner's luck, but the flavor of this one is almost identical! And major bonus was a huge thumbs up from my husband! The only thing I will add next time that I believe is missing is sliced black olives and it may just be a good substitute until my next visit home for the "real thing" :).

• 2 cup mayo
• 4 tbs. vinegar
• 2 tbs mustard
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 lb. macaroni, cooked and drained
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1 cup diced red pepper
• 1 cup diced green pepper
• 1 cup diced green onion 
• (1/2 large can of black olives, or small can, sliced) optional

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate

Servings: 8 (original recipe is 4 servings...I doubled it)

Recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/macaroni-salad-63733