Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Quick & Yummy Meatloaf Dinner

Tonight I decided to whip up something my family loves. It's simple to put together & I take a few shortcuts to make it a little healthier, while staying super tasty!

First, The potatoes. I buy red potatoes because all I have to do is cut them in half. I cut half the bag in half, put in water. I also add 1/2 bag frozen cauliflower to lighten it up & add a veggie my family doesn't even know is there! I also Add 1 clove of garlic to the water to boil with the potatoes & cauliflower.


I boil these while I'm cooking the green bean, making salad & the meatloaf is in the oven. When they're done (soft when stabbed with knife), I drain them, add some butter or margarine, salt & pepper & skim milk. They're still really tasty, I believe because of that clove of garlic! I also whip them with a beater (with the skins on) less work & more fiber.


Now for the meatloaf recipe. I usually just use "whatever" in the meatloaf & my family LOVES it!!! Tonight, I put a thin coat of garlic mashed sundried tomatoes on the bottom of the pan the meatloaf cooked in. You could also use chutney (mango, pineapple, sundried tomato chutney are some ideas). I mixed the hamburg (about a pound), 1/2 ground onion, 2 eggs, salt & pepper, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup ketchup, 3/4 cup cheese (used cheddar tonight), 1 tbsp mango pineapple jam, 1/3 cup spagetti sauce, about 1-2 (eyeball) cups bread crumbs (seasoned) & a dash of worcestershire sauce! All amounts are approximate, I never measure when cooking. It's a lot of ingredients, but everyone LOVES it! I cook until the top/sides carmelizes in about a 350 degree oven.


Then for the green beans. Wash the green beans. Put olive oil & 1 onion thinly sliced & 2 tbsps of butter in pan. Add 2 tbsps of sugar & cook until the onions carmelize. Add the green beans & 1/4 cup of slivered almonds, a little more butter, salt & pepper to taste & cook until desired softness (I prefer them a little firm).


Then I toss a salad & put all the pieces together on a plate. I'll include two images, one my hubbies place (no salad) & one mine (no meatloaf, I'm a vegetarian). I also made a quick potato soup, so my daughter ate soup, salad & green beans. Some kids just had meatloaf & potatoes, the kids all had variations, a little of everything & everyone was happy!


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