meat loaf, whipped mashed potatoes.......

Worked on creating my purse yesterday....I have it all cut-out of fabric and then I ironed on the fusible that makes the fabric pieces shaped and structured...whew! that was a lot of work!....I will start on sewing it together this week, hopefully I find the notions that sparkle I am looking for in a few days...Black and Orange notions/sparkles...I like to sew....it is relaxing.....it takes plenty of practice and using a seam ripper when you make mistakes......

Going to be busy in the field soon with planting wheat finally we pre-purchased it a while back, it is covered and under shelter in a building, still in the bags, so that will be busy work for a while.....I always think about whenever we plant wheat how very chilly the air is, and being in a dusty field freezing in the cold wind, trying to fill the wheat drill with wheat seed.....it does become chilly, windy, and cold.....but it was fun that year.....I think I went home that evening and painted a pumpkin for church after I took a bath......lol.....

I am going to start preparing meals at home, I enjoy cooking during the Fall/Winter months...Baking is also a favorite challenge....

I know most people you know they'll say: " Oh meat loaf?! Nasty!" it is one of those dishes...Lol!....This is just for fun, and you do not have to place vegetables around the meatloaf, you can just make whipped mashed potatoes instead....Doctor always says: "You need to have meat with meals, you are low of iron!"....so this is one way to keep iron in your system....

Cook as much as you need for your family, this is for about 5 people, IF you have many more friends/family there, double the recipe...

Meat Loaf

1 1/2 pound or 2 pound Ground Beef
2 eggs
7 or 8 Saltine crackers, (crush in your hand)
1/2 medium onion (chopped)
1/8 cup to 1/4 cup Oatmeal
1/8 cup of Milk or Milnot
small can of sliced Mushrooms (optional----only if you like these)
Salt and Pepper as you like

DRAIN meat juice from packaging while running water in the sink to clean on down the drain. PLACE Meat into mixing bowl. ADD all ingredients--mix with spoon until well combined. Shape mix with very clean hands, SHAPE into loaf or a heart shape!. PLACE meat loaf into Foiled interior cooking dish,( this helps with meat loaf sticking to bottom of dish) POUR 1/8 cup of water around meatloaf in dish before you Bake it...IF you wish to have vegetables cooked with your meat loaf, PEEL/CHOP three carrots, and HALVE and PEEL 5 potatoes, place all around the meat loaf. (This is OPTIONAL only if you wish to enjoy them with your meat loaf) When COMPLETED. PLACE foil onto the top of the meat loaf gently, and place in the oven. BAKE this at 350 degrees for an hour or hour and a half. WATCH and check on this constantly.

When it is FULLY cooked, you may mix up a meat loaf topping to enhance it.
 
Meat Loaf Topping:

3 Tablespoons Ketchup
3 Tablespoons Mustard
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar (optional, only if you like this) many have Diabetes..it can be healthier.
MIX it up and spoon onto top of meat loaf.

SERVE with sides, I enjoy vegetables, healthier and better as a side, here are a few.I like mashed potatoes, and I enjoy them whipped with an electric mixer.

Whipped Mashed Potatoes

BOIL 5 grand sized potatoes, (sliced thin) PLACE them into pan half full of water. DROP a small amount of Canola oil into the water also with potatoes. BOIL until they are able to be cut with fork in pan. DRAIN water into kitchen sink.BE CAREFUL it's HOT! PLACE pan of boiled potatoes onto potholder on kitchen prep area. ADD 1/2 stick of Margarine, or BUTTER (whatever you wish) to the boiled potatoes(it can be less for health reasons) Same goes for Salt used in this! ADD 1/2 Teaspoon or as you like, of Salt and Pepper. POUR 1/4 cup of milk into pan to make it creamy. WHIP with handheld electric mixer (or with wooden spoon, if you have no electric mixer) WHIP potatoes until they have no lumps and are smooth.  

Other sides I enjoy with this meal----

Green beans
Corn
Broccoli Florets froze/thawed, salt, boiled, margarine.
Fried Okra
Mac n Cheese
Black-eyed Peas---I like the Trappey's  Brand seasoned Black eyed Peas, home canned, or Great Value, Best Choice, any off brand.... 

When you have leftovers the next day from your meat loaf, you can quickly create a fold over meat loaf sandwich with mustard, ketchup, or mayo on the bread...when you are in a hurry.

j.