Meat loaf and mashed taters, and other stuff......

Ok first off I really should be taking a shower instead of blogging, but I promised my co-author I would blog something today since I have been pitiful so far in my resolution for the new year to be better about it. partly because the new job makes me so tired, that cooking, crafting, cleaning, and all things that don't involve sleep are something that I just can't think about it seems.

I was just inspired though, by reading an article about bringing your kids into the kitchen to teach them about the pleasure of food, and how it really isn't just about nourishment. which I whole hardily support, although I myself am horrible about bringing the girl into the kitchen with me, most of that is because 2 people do not fit in a closet very well. here is the etsy article: Nurturing a Love of Food it's a quick read.

On to my latest food creation, which I apologize for the fact there are no pictures, but it was all devoured prior to being able to even think about taking a picture.

I made meat loaf, which is not a staple food in our house and I think I have only made it once before which was the one's that look like little cupcakes. which were delicious  :). this meat loaf was inspired by one of my new clients who is a quadriplegic and I spent the majority of the afternoon cooking and cleaning for him and one of the dishes I made was meat loaf. when I asked the mister what he would like for dinner and told him I was making meat loaf for my quad guy he went "mmmmmm, Meat loaf!!" homer simpson style. I had half a pound of pork left over from the delicious french holiday meat pie, so I thought I would use that up since we don't eat a lot of pork and I'm not sure where else I ever would have used it. because of the pork I decided to add apples, it was great. we also had mashed taters, Italian cut green beans and brown pan gravy.

Preheat oven to 350

1/2 lb ground pork (just pork not sausage)
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 gala apple (as these cook well) chopped
1 small onion medium fine chop
a good dusting of the outback steak rub
2 tsp poultry seasoning ( I actually measured in my palm so this is a guess of how much I used)
salt and pepper to taste (remember the outback rub has salt)
2 medium palm fulls of fine unseasoned bread crumbs (panko would work too)
(Combine all with hands)

in a separate little bowl

just short of 1/2 a cup milk
2 eggs
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce

mix this well and pour into the meat mixture, mix everything together until thoroughly combined, but be nice to the meat so you don't make it overly tough. once combined add mixture to a loaf pan, cook for 45-60 minutes until it is not pink in the center. (remember it has pork in it, it needs to be thoroughly cooked, I tried to use a meat thermometer but I guess mine is broken, that is the better way to measure if it is done)

Serve with whatever you like, we happen to like mashed potatoes and gravy :) enjoy. hopefully more culinary creations to come, and maybe some crochet.