My friend Gabe wrote a short review of the meatloaf at SideBar — a restaurant and bar just down the street from where I live.
I love meatloaf. But not restaurant meatloaf. It’s the ketchup.
When I was in the second grade, my mother had to go to the hospital for surgery. She was there more than a day, so her brother drove three hours to our home to look after me, my brother and my sister. Mom planned ahead — the fridge was stocked and meals were ready to go in the oven, including a meatloaf.
Everything was fine until Uncle Terry poured ketchup on top. We wouldn’t eat it.
If only he’d had this, Mom’s meatloaf recipe. Notice the lack of ketchup, and the addition of barbecue sauce.
Mom’s meatloaf
1 lb. hamburger
Chopped onion or onion soup mix
Chopped green pepper (optional)
1 egg
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Mix it all together and put it in a loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with barbecue sauce (whatever looks right) and celery seed (optional). Bake for another 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 180 degrees.
Goes great with cheesy au gratin potatoes … I think I know now what I’m making for dinner tomorrow.
That looks delicious — and easy. I’ve not yet mastered the art of making my own meatloaf, so I’ll give it a try.