Paradise by the Dashboard Light

For decades, it has terrorized homemakers, children, and chefs of all shapes and sizes.

Some say it cannot be done.

Some say it should never have been tried.

Some say there's no way Scott could do it.

I am speaking, of course, of

MEATLOAF







Whoa. Calm down, Sad Sandwich, terrified movie crowd, and my sister Lauren's baby picture.
He made it, and it was DELICIOUS. Seriously.

But before he was able to make it, he needed this stuff:
1 lb 80% lean ground beef
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper (any color)
1 large egg
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce (the recipe called for yellow mustard, which Scott hates. A lot.)


He also needed this stuff:


1 large mixing bowl
1 not-as-large mixing bowl
Stirring utensil
Measuring things
Cutting board
(not pictured) baking sheet and foil







Then, he did this:
(recipe courtesy of HyVee ComfortFoods) (Serves 8)

• Heat oven to 350.
  
• In large mixing bowl, combine beef, tomatoes, oats, onion, bell pepper, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until blended.
  
• Turn mixture into 9x5 inch loaf pan (or just form it yourself into a 9x5 inch loaf) and place on foil-lined baking sheet. Set aside.
  
• In not-as-large mixing bowl, stir together ketchup, brown sugar and barbecue sauce. Spread on top of meatloaf. Bake 9x5 inch loaf for 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 160.
  
• Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
  
• Slice.
• Eat.
  

Now, your meatloaf, with a nice side of potato salad and some strawberries, should look something like this:





Colin delivered this to me while I was at work. 5 points for Gryffindor.












See, that wasn't so bad, right? I'll be honest, I judged meatloaf before. No more. Between having these guys as roommates and the good food we're eating, ain't no doubt about it--we are doubly blessed.

The average cost of the meatloaf (based on 8 servings): $1.25. Wow.
Status of Basil plant: flourishing

Stay tuned tomorrow for some vegetarian goodness!

Conquer your fears--try making this yourself.