Ma! The Meatloaf!

Well here is my favorite post.  Meatloaf.  Who doesn’t love meatloaf?  I think it is the only meal I can remember my mom making that I actually liked…sorry Mom!  What’s not to love? You can basically put anything in it and it will be delicious.  Granted every time I make it, it turns out different, whether it is the spices or vegetables I fill it with, it is never the same.

Now keep in mind I am on the tugboat so I am cooking for 7 guys.  They love meatloaf.  I think it is their favorite meal I make, but they will never compliment me on it.  I start off with 5lbs of ground beef, and 1lb of ground pork.  The pork gives it a nice subtle flavor.  I then sauté a diced onion, a diced bell pepper and grated carrots for sweetness.  After I sauté the veggie mixture I throw it in the bowl of meat and add some almond-meal as a binder instead of the typical bread-crumbs. I then add about 3 eggs and  for spices I usually throw in salt, pepper, chip flakes, chili powder, onion powder, ground cumin and italian seasoning.  I also add some tobassco sauce for heat and a few splashes of worcestershire sauce.  After I mold the meatloaf into a pan I top the whole thing with strips of bacon and cook for 1hr 15mins at 400 degrees.  The time and temp. may vary but this is what works on the tug stove.  My favorite thing is leftover meatloaf for breakfast topped off with two runny eggs, mmm. Oh yeah I almost forgot about the asparagus.  I simply coated in olive oil, salt, and pepper and roasted in the oven for 15mins @400 deg.