My First Cookbook & A Giveaway!!!

So I am very happy to announce I just finished my first cookbook! Writing a cookbook has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and I had a blast putting this one together.

I decided to feature party recipes since my blog is usually focused more on everyday type foods. EVERY recipe in this book is brand new - none of them have or will appear on this blog.

The book is available at Amazon - you can find all the details there.

In the meantime, to celebrate I am giving away a copy of Gen Y Foodie Parties.

There are two ways for you to enter:
1. "Like" Gen Y Foodie on Facebook
2. Leave a comment on ANY recipe post on the blog

Contest ends: Monday, October 24 at 9am. One winner will be randomly drawn and sent a free copy!

NOTE: Make sure to register or leave your name in the comments - don't leave anonymous comments because I don't know who you are.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf is one of those foods you tend to forget is amazingly delicious. I hadn't had meatloaf in years and this weekend, we were out and saw it served at a restaurant. It looked so amazing I had to go home and whip some up the next day. Normally, I make some variation of turkey/chicken meatloaf with quinoa and flaxseed and lots of healthy things. Not today. Today is about tasty comfort.

There are many secrets to amazing meatloaf, I definitely do not know them all. My basic rules are: 1) do not overmix the meat, just lightly combine all the ingredients; 2) bake at 375 max, higher temperatures dry out the meat; 3) do not use a loaf pan, free form meatloaf is crisper and cooks more evenly; and 4) use a variety of veggies and herbs to mix in, not just breadcrumbs. Some people swear by zucchini in their meatloaf, but I like to keep it basic. I do, however, insist on adding some grated parmesan and fresh parsley, which together compliment the meat and elevate the flavors. Also, if you have a meat thermometer, use it to get the cooking time just right.

So... are you hungry yet? Read more to get the full recipe!
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Baked Pumpkin Pasta

Pumpkin puree is a flavorful and low calorie addition to any dish. I've been getting into the fall spirit and am loving adding pumpkin to everything these days. Tonight I decided to throw together a simple baked pasta dish that pairs creamy pumpkin with flavorful goat cheese and pesto for a delicious and simple vegetarian meal. Quick and easy to put together, this dish is filling but still light. This recipe makes enough for some tasty leftovers as well!

Read more for the full recipe!
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