Meat Loaf

Whoever came up with the name "meat loaf" was definitely not thinking. Because there is absolutely nothing about that word that sounds remotely appetizing. A loaf. Of meat. Ick. But then once you actually take a bite, you realize it's not so bad. It's actually quite delicious. Especially when it's this meat loaf, carefully crafted into the best-tasting ground beef concoction around. And it's not even really a loaf...it's more of a gently rounded oval shape. So it's really not as scary as your traditional, potluck-dinner-from-who-knows-where-meat loaf.

And besides, meat loaf is an American tradition. When people ask me what "traditional" American food is, I would never say hamburger and french fries. It's chili and cornbread and apple pie and grits and potatoes and meat loaf. So give it another try, even if it's only for the sake of your heritage.

Meat Loaf
Recipe by Kelly
Picture by Caroline

1 pound ground beef
1 egg
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/3 cup quick oats
1/4 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
special sauce (optional topping)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine egg, milk, bread crumbs, and all spices. Add ground beef and mix well.
2. Shape loaf into a large ball. Place in an ungreased 8 x 8 inch pan. Press down until about 2-3 inches thick. Spread sauce on top.
   
3. Bake uncovered about 1 hour, or until beef is no longer pink in the center. Let stand 5 minutes and serve.
   

Special Sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1. In a smal bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well and spread over meat loaf.

*I love serving this with roasted potatoes with asparagus or roasted rosemary-onion potatoes.