Celery Saved the Day

Our first day went exceptionally well. I was in Super Mama mode trying to prove to myself (I guess) that I could get it all accomplished. So strange. I have taken care of her by myself a hundred+ times but for some reason it just felt different.

I did manage a meatloaf dinner. WARNING: I am notorious for taking well thought out recipes and changing them for some unknown reason. Nothing too major this time, but I thought I would let you know in the event future recipes result in disaster.

I picked up a cookbook at Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House in Lynchburg, TN after the Jack Daniels Distillery tour. I give all credit to Miss Bobo for this quick easy recipe.


Boarding House Meat Loaf
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
3/4 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup onions, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup catsup
2 eggs, beaten
Meat Loaf Sauce

(I added a 1/4 cup of celery, chopped because I wanted to use it up and I figured - what could it hurt? That's what Mama's do, right? Hide veggies in meatloaf. Lola was pleased with snacking on the celery to sooth her gums as her 7th tooth makes it's way onto the bottom row. I bet she devoured 4 celery stalks by the end of the day, she loved it!)

Miss Mary Bobo says to grease a 9x3 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients and form into a loaf. Place into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Pour off the juice and bake 10 minutes longer. Place on a platter and cover with sauce.  

I did a free form meatloaf  (shape it on a foil covered cookie sheet and bake as directed) just because I like it better. Stays juicy and you have more surface for the Sauce, which in my opinion is the best part. After the first hour of baking I covered the meatloaf with half of the Sauce and placed it back in the oven for the final 10 minutes of cooking. We used the remaining sauce on the table as needed.

Meat Loaf Sauce
3/4 cup catsup
2 tablespoons onion, chopped
2 tablespoons bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

In a small saucepan simmer the sauce over low heat until the onions and peppers are tender.

Plus mashed potatoes and peas, I estimate this meal to have cost about $9. We all three ate, there is a lunch plate for Dada tomorrow and plenty of leftover meatloaf for sandwiches this weekend. Success.