Wednesday, 01 August 2012
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Ode To Meatloaf: A Loving Tribute to America's Most Hated Dinner
Dating back to the dinner tables of the 1950’s, meatloaf has been feared and loathed by kids from coast to coast and many adults too. Known for being dry, bland, and of unpalatable texture, meatloaf has never known much love. Unless you happened to be a part of my household, where my mother has perfected this stigmatic entree! Growing up, meatloaf was begged for, requested on birthdays, and fought over. My best friend would always make a point to be over for dinner on meatloaf night. After twenty years of being a family secret, I am commemorating my first blog post with my mother’s unfathomably succulent meatloaf recipe:
**this recipe will comfortably feed a family of four, provide seconds for those that wish, and will leave some leftovers. Otherwise, 6-8 servings.
Ingredients:- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 can beef vegetable soup
- 1 envelope dry onion soup mix (my Mom always just buys whatever’s on sale)
- splash of Worcestishire
- splash of soy sauce
- 1 eggs
- ½-3/4 cup of bread crumbs
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
Bakeware:- large rectangular glass dish
- fork
- large mixing bowl
1.) Preheat oven to 350°
2.) Mix all ingredients together in large mixing bowl. My Mom uses her clean, bare hands.
3.) Bake for 25-30 minutes.
4.) Top with tomato sauce and bake for another 5 minutes
5.) Turn oven off and top the meatloaf with the grated cheese and let it sit in the oven until cheese melts.
Recommended sides: Mom’s homemade mashed potatoes (recipe to be saved for another day), a steamed bag of frozen, sweet corn, and warm rolls.
The best part about this recipe is that the only real culinary skills it requires are the ability to gather the correct ingredients and measure bread crumbs appropriately. Otherwise it’s a pretty simple mix, bake, and top. This recipe will convert you and your friends faster than trendy religions on celebrities!
I would love to hear your horror stories about meatloaf, feedback on this recipe/post, or even just a pleasant, “hello”!
Happy eating!
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About the Author
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- From: Taylor
- Name: Taylor
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- About Me: Hello good people of the foodie world! I am a college student living in Austin, TX here to read, share, and inspire (and BE inspired) all things food with people who share in its love.
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Comments (14)
When made right, meatloaf is tasty and comforting! If I am lazy, I will just mix ground beef, a box of Stove Top stuffing mix, milk and eggs, top with barbecue sauce. (This loaf is pretty bread-y.) If I have time to chop vegetables, than I will make this recipe. The only thing I change is I add more onions, some grated carrot and zucchini, some mustard to the meat mixture and use leaner beef to make a meatloaf a little lower in fat. I like this recipe because it doesn't have much bread, the fillers are vegetables. I like serving it was mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. Homemade mashed potatoes are simple to make, but it could take a lot of time to peel, dice and boil.
@babybug329@xanga - I agree that meatloaf in addition to homemade mashed potatoes can be quite time consuming, but that's exactly what my Mom does every time and myself included. Any other sort of method for mashed potatoes is unheard of in my house.
Your recipe is making my mouth water. I need to make some meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
@Taylor - I'll have to admit that in my less kitchen-savvy days I did use mashed potato flakes from a box. Ever since I learned, I always make it fresh. (If I don't have the time, then I make a different side dish. I am currently experimenting with Alton Brown's stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe.) Let me how the meatloaf turns out for you! I put a lot of black pepper because I like the meatloaf a little peppery.
Sounds yummy! Definitely will have to try it out.
This looks really good! I will definitely be making this, especially since my husband loves meatloaf already! Thanks for the recipe :)
Meatloaf is one of my comfort foods. My mother-in-law made a very dense meatloaf using lean ground beef, ground ham, and ground pork. I was never able to duplicate hers. My mother liked to make ham loaf and top it with brown sugar/ketchup. The recipe I go to every time now is from Paula Deen's website. My husband has been converted since I do this recipe. I will try yours for sure now, too!
I'm definitely going to try this out next time my friends and I eat in.
I think meatloaf was a feared meal because it used to just be used as a money-stretching endeavor. So, when whoever was making meatloaf was mixing everything in, they would usually just stuff a whoooooollllee bunch of bread or oats in, and not much else. I grew up loving meatloaf, and eventually got to the point where I took over meatloaf mixing duties at my house, and eventually perfected my mother's recipe. I remember hating meatloaf at school, or at potlucks, but mostly because the person making it didn't know what they were doing. In fact, the one time that I really messed up a good meatloaf was when my boyfriend and I were on a no-carb, no-redmeat diet, and I tried to make it with ground turkey and whole wheat crackers. It was mushy and tasteless.
Since when is meatloaf America's least favorite meal? Everyone I know loves meatloaf.
@angelwingfive@xanga - What's your perfect meatloaf recipe?!?! I'm intrigued.
I actually like most meatloafs. The only ones that I haven't liked were really runny. Those actually looked pretty nasty. I can't wait to try this one though. The ingredients all look so tasty!
All you need is ground beef, breadcrumbs, and an egg. If it seems too bland, add some garlic powder (I think actual garlic might burn, but it's been awhile since I made it). Salt and pepper, maybe. I once made it with chopped green pepper, and it was great.
Who hates meatloaf? It's a simple and effective ketchup delivery system. Oh, and the ketchup goes on after baking. I've had it with the ketchup or other tomato products added before it is cooked, and it just doesn't taste right.
But hey, to each their own.
I grew up loving meatloaf and still eat it to this day at restaurants (as my "fail-safe / nothing-else-looks-good" choice).
I'm so happy I could pull together the fellow meatloaf lovers of the world. I am actually visiting my parents tomorrow and my mother is making this dish in light of this post. I'm very excited to try some tips and suggestions I've gotten from you guys! :)
I love meatloaf, my mom used to make 'mini meatloaves' she would put the meat mixture in cupcake pans, and put a bit of ketchup on the top! They were delicious!! One of my favorite foods, I make them on special occasions.