Welcome to Daylight Savings Time. We will soon be able to celebrate the first day of spring, which is March 20. It is one of my favorite times of the year. Everything seems to return to life: trees start to bud, tulips appear, our days are warmer and we look forward to seeing the first robin appear. Daytime hours are longer, and we will all see more sun. Spring is a time of transformation, and with the added sunlight, it can improve our mental health by increasing Vitamin D. Spring can also boost our mood and energy levels.

Family Favorite Meatloaf

This meatloaf is a moist meatloaf recipe. If there are leftovers, it will make great sandwiches for the next day. This recipe uses several spices, which makes it quite savory. Meatloaf recipes abound in church cookbooks and online, but my husband seems to think his mom’s recipe is the best. The problem is, I don’t believe she had a written recipe that I’ve ever seen. But my husband has a fond memory of his mom’s meatloaf dish. “Family Favorite Meatloaf” is a recipe that was published in a church cookbook from an excellent cook who lives in a town where we used to live. I hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

*3 medium slices soft bread, torn in pieces mixed with 1 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup minced onion

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

*If using dry bread crumbs, add 1/4 cup milk and mix well.

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Place in a full-size meat loaf pan or in 2 small pans. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. If you prefer a ketchup-topped meatloaf, spread 3 tablespoons of ketchup on top before baking. Yield: 8 servings.

Pecan Bread

This recipe could double as a dessert or part of your dinner meal. It is an easy recipe but one that your family will think you spent a “long time” putting together.

Ingredients

1 box butter pecan cake mix

1 box instant pistachio pudding

4 eggs

1 c. water

1/3 c. oil

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Pour mixture into pans. Bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees.

Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are a family favorite and are sometimes called Peanut Butter Blossom cookies. The combination of the chocolate star or chocolate kiss on top of the cookie makes it gooey and gives the cookie a salty-sweet flavor. Buying a package of chocolate stars is a time-saver if you don’t like to unwrap the chocolate candy kisses.

Ingredients

2 sticks margarine, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

Pinch of salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup peanut butter

3 1/4 cups flour

Bowl of sugar (to roll cookies in)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in the order listed. Make into balls and roll in sugar. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Take out and put candy kisses or a chocolate star on top of each cookie. Put back in the oven for 1 to 2 minutes allowing the candy to slightly melt into the cookie.

Creamy Vegetable Casserole (WW)

This Weight Watchers recipe is a quick one to throw together. In preparation, set the cream cheese out for a while to soften. This will make it easier to mix with the soup. Also, I like to sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top before baking because I do not usually have croutons on hand. This recipe makes a smaller dish, so if you like leftovers like we do, then double the recipe.

Ingredients

1 16-ounce package frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower

1 can light cream of celery soup

1 8-ounce container fat-free vegetable cream cheese

1/2 cup seasoned croutons

Instructions

Prepare vegetables according to package directions. Drain and place in a large bowl. Stir in soup and cream cheese. Spray an 8-inch-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and transfer the mixture from the bowl into a baking dish. Sprinkle the top with croutons. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until bubbly.

Yield: 6 servings. Weight Watchers point value is 2 points per serving.

Loretta’s Tips

1. Baked cookies freeze well and can be stored for several months. Pack as airtight as possible. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and warm in the oven for a few minutes. They will taste fresh-baked.

2. Soak peeled apples in cold water to which 1 teaspoon of salt has been added. They will not discolor.

Loretta Krahling is a columnist with over 39 years of newspaper experience. If you have a favorite recipe to share or if you have any questions, email Loretta at krahling93@gmail.com.