Wednesday, April 20, 2011

What's for dinner? Meatloaf


Last week I wrote the shortest post ever about making meatloaf - and I think I got more comments in the least amount of time than most posts.  Cracked me up.  It was my first attempt at meatloaf.  We had a few run ins last week at dinner...Charley would come to the table and see the main dish and make a yucky comment.  Which would send Henry into a fit - which would cause me to flip.  Charley spent at least two evenings in his room for the first 15 minutes of dinner.  And Henry went to bed hungry.

Charley now knows that if he makes a comment like that he will be in his room for the rest of the night.  It is so frustrating when little brother, who is already a picky eater and who copies everything big brother does, refuses dinner because of a comment Charley made.  Charley is such a good eater and usually he comes back to the table tries it and loves it...but Henry refuses the entire meal. 

So on Thursday I made meatloaf.  And when they came to the table I could see the fear in their eyes.  But I was so pumped that they didn't say a peep.  Both tried it and loved it.  This recipe makes two small meatloaves...Ed was running late so we polished off one and he actually almost ate the entire second one.  THAT GOOD.  Later he asked me what was in it.  He really liked it.  Yipee!  Like most men, at least that is what I tell myself, he doesn't make too many comments about recipes I try.  I think he is afraid to tell me he doesn't like something and he just appreciates coming home to a balanced meal. 

So here is the winning recipe.  WE ALL LOVED IT!  It was easy.  I am curious how it turns out next time - which will be in the near future.

The recipe is from Trisha Yearwood's cookbook.  My mom gave it to me for a birthday gift. 

MEATLOAF
Ingredients:

2 lb. lean ground beef
20 saltine crackers, crumbled
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Gently mix the beef, cracker crumbs, egg, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and onion until blended.  I used my kitchen aid mixer.  Shape the mixture into two loaves and place side by side crosswise in a 9 x 13 pan.  I sprayed my pan a little bit.  Bake loaves for 1 hour, or until they are browned.  1 hour was perfect for us. 

Transfer immediately to a platter to cool for a bit.  (If you don't transfer the loaves will soak up the grease -ick)

I served with salad and mashed potatoes! 

5 comments:

Roz said...

Kudos on the meatloaf! I've made it in muffin tins before and it cooks in half the time. Plus, it makes up nice sized (fun for the kids) portion sizes as well. We mix up ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar as a glaze and put that over the top. Pop in oven for another 5-10 minutes after applying "glaze". My jaw dropped at your comment about your oldest son making a negative remark as he approaches the table. Ben has done the same thing and has been sent away as well. It just rubs me the wrong way - getting meal time ready is no easy task...and grumpy eaters doesn't help! Thanks for the reassurance and making me feel like I'm not the only one! ;)

For the Love of Naps - Sarah said...

Yes, Charley is my really good eater so for him to be going through this phase of making snarky comments before dinner really gets me cranky. And my issue is he will come around and try it and like it but Henry is adament about not trying it. So it really ruins the whole meal.

Heather (One Take On Life) said...

I have been making a meatloaf very similar to that, its my moms recipe. I also make a baked meatballs recipe that my kiddo's love. That is what is for dinner tonight, if I find the time.

Maddy is super picky right now, just getting her to eat something is a trick at dinner. I don't force her to try anything at this age, Hayden eats what I serve or at least tries a lot of it, he knows the rules:)

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

yum that sound good. I am going to have to try this one.

Barb said...

I'll have to try this recipe too! Thanks for sharing.

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