MeatLove in the air!

   Meatloaf is another one of my favorite dishes that I find very "American". There are some similar things to it in other countries (like our "klops") but it's not the same and has a little bit different of a flavor combination. It's so versatile, and can be eaten for dinner (with potatoes for example), or cold on a sandwich, or by itself (we find ourselves doing this pretty often!). Oh, and it's also one of those dishes you want to cook for the busy week ahead. I usually make two loafs, store it in a fridge, and serve it many different ways during the week. What I use to make it is:

3 lbs lean ground beef (that's for two loafs)
1 green bell pepper (chopped)
1 large onion (chopped)
2 shredded carrots
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
salt and pepper

   Now make sure you take good notes because the recipe is really "complicated". What you have to do is using your hands mix all the ingredients (except ketchup and BBQ sauce) together and transfer them into the long baking dish. Mix ketchup with BBQ sauce, spread it on the top of meat and bake at 350F for 1 hour. OK, how easy is that? Seriously? That's all it is to it. And this is what you end up with:

   No meat lover can complain about not having enough meat and all the veggie lovers have something for them too. Isn't it a perfect marriage? Moist, juicy, meaty, and flavorful. Who could ask for more? Slice it, bite it, and enjoy it!

Take care.
Magda