Classic Meatloaf

​I have one child who absolutely loves meatloaf.  (One year she even requested it as her special birthday dinner.)  Luckily that same child also loves to MAKE meatloaf.  I use the word luckily because if it were left up to me, I would never make it.  It's not that I'm opposed the delicious loaf of meat, it's simply because I don't like to mix raw meat with my hands.  I've tried other methods of combining the meatloaf ingredients but the most effective way by far, is to use your hands to mix everything together.  There's just something about cold, raw meat squishing between my fingers that is repulsive to me.  Fortunately this is not a genetic trait that was passed down to my daughter because she just loves that job.  Squeezing eggs in her palms and squishing raw meat through her fingers is ... somehow stress reducing for her.  

​Classic Meatloaf
2 pounds ground beef               1/2 cup tomato sauce
¾ pound mushrooms                 1/3 cup milk
2 Tablespoons butter                 2 eggs
1 onion, diced                             ½ cup bread crumbs
3 cloves garlic                             ¼ teaspoon thyme
1 ¾ pounds ground beef           ½ teaspoon oregano
1/3 cup parsley                          1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon salt                           ½ teaspoon pepper

​Add mushrooms and sauté until soft.

​

​Remove from skillet and add butter.  Add onions.

​Cook 10 minutes.  Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

​Mix together all other ingredients.

Eggs

thyme

basil and oregano

bread crumbs

meat

salt

tomato sauce

milk

​cilantro

Mix together along with mushroom mixture.

​

Put into 2 loaf pans. 

​Bake 50 minutes at 400.

​Top with ketchup.

​We make a good team really.  I get all the ingredients into the bowl, she rolls up her sleeves and starts mixing.  I love cooking with this beautiful girl.  She is such a joy.

Ciao!

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