Friday, October 17, 2008

THE Meatloaf

We had meatloaf tonight and I really, really intended to take pictures of it because I always like the pictures when I am reading blogs. However, it was my daughter's birthday dinner, so I was simultaneously sweeping the floor, making lots of sweet tea, actually setting the table, and keeping my precious ones from getting too many toys out, since we'd already picked everything up twice today. SOOO, I took one picture when I was getting it ready (and who really wants a picture of raw meat? Didn't think so) and never took another one. Sorry, dears.

Ballard Meatloaf
*This is my mother-in-laws recipe and it is great. A simple meatloaf, but always a staple in our household.

1- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 egg
1/4 cup ketchup (or tomato sauce if you'd rather)
1/2 c. oats
1/2 c. chopped onion (I used dried onion, maybe a tablespoon)

Season the ground beef. Add other ingredients. Mix well, and shape into a loaf. Pour ketchup or tomato sauce onto the top of the loaf. Bake for 35-45 minutes at 375.

*I love this meatloaf. I never liked meatloaf as a kid because of the chunks of onion and pepper in it. I still don't like chunks of onion and pepper, I dice them very small and saute them a very long time so they are very soft and I never bite down on a big chunk of it. Anyway, I love this meatloaf. I like ketchup on mine, but tomato sauce (not chunky marinara but canned tomato sauce) is good, too. I have several variations of meatloaf that you will no doubt see eventually (barbeque meatloaf, bacon cheeseburger meatloaf, and the Boston Market meatloaf recipe), but this is the classic.

5 comments:

jennifer said...

I am definetly not a meatloaf kind of girl, but the hubby loves it. Maybe when I am feeling up to it, I will make it just for him (and maybe I'll like it too!!).

Oh, and I am going to do a plug for you on my blog. You do a really great job and maybe some of my friends will like it too!!

Allison said...

HEY! I am friends with Jennifer and she told us all about your blog! I love it and think it's great that you share all your dinner ideas. THANKS, because we often get in a rut around here.

I am going to try and fix this meatloaf this week for dinner. I'll let you know how mine turns out. I grew up with meatloaf as a staple and I never liked because of your same reasons. A big chunk of onion still gags me! :)

Quick question when you say that you 'season' the meat....what do you season yours with?? Thanks for the help! And I am so excited to keep coming back!!

~Allison allisonmullins.blogspot.com

Kristen Ballard said...

Thanks, Allison!
I usually season my meat with salt and pepper or Paula Deen's House Seasoning- it is a blend of salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Please let me know how it turns out- hope y'all enjoy!

Allison said...

THANKS for your comment back! Yup bought all the stuff for it today...we shall see!! We did visit Altamesa when we lived in FW. We actually lived a block south of the church before we moved here to SA. We actually ended up going to Richland Hills tho.

I'm excited about trying out all these yummy recipes! I love to cook...especially well-balanced meals for my kids (and us too)....but we just get in our day to day rut and things get borning! I'll let ya know!

Kristen Ballard said...

Yes, yes. I think your son was in my daughter's class for a little while at ARK School?
That always drives me crazy when I see someone that looks familiar!
OK, well we have that figured out now! Good luck with the meatloaf.