On Meatloaf
“Honey, all my girls are good cooks. Therefore, I won’t allow you to become the exception. Love, MamMa” (Christmas, 1986)
So reads the inscription in my Better Homes and Garden cook book. My grandmother, an English teacher, had a way with words. So it was that when we found ourselves with some great ground beef and a downpour (not grilling weather), I said, “hey, let’s make a meatloaf.” The last time I tried, I used a recipe I found online from that Southern fried cook, Paula Deen. Made it. Didn’t like it. It was too . . . mushy. And didn’t use catsup! I wanted a basic meatloaf recipe and MamMa’s cookbook provided one.
It was yummy. I’ll add green pepper next time, but otherwise, perfect. My husband loved it. My friend, Vesatee, is sitting here at the table with me chowing down on some leftovers.
I have a friend, Ruthie, who used to work with me. Our office had a little cafe with a cook named James. Every now and then, he made meatloaf and Ruthie and I swooned. “Is it Meatloaf Monday?” we’d inquire giddily as we ran to the cafe. James’ meatloaf was the good ‘ol basic kind.
What is it about meatloaf? By the time I reached high school, I hated it, along with some of my mom’s other standards, like fried chicken. Once I hit my 30′s, though, I ached for some good ‘ol fried chicken, or Mom’s pot roast, or meatloaf. Incidentally, it’s times like these that I miss her. It’ s always the little things, isn’t it? I really wish I had her pot roast recipe. Lipton’s onion soup mix and all.
–Sherean
….And it was very good!!!
1I’m with ya! I felt the same way about it growing up, but now I like it! I have a FANTASTIC Italian meatloaf recipe that I now use as my staple. I’ll forward.
2