Mother's Day Meatloaf

Mother's Day is a wonderful day!  I think my favorite part is just being together and expectation of a slow day.  I will admit it has taken on new meaning since I have become a Mother.  This is my first Mother's Day as a Mother of three.  This year my daughter was really into it.  She is really into all holidays.  As soon as one is over she asks which one is next and we count the days on her calendar.  But this year she was particularly funny.  When I was opening some cards I received in the mail, she wanted to let me know that she "didn't know" if I was going to receive a card and present from "Daddy and Us."  That is right.  She 'just didn't know" if I was going to get a present.  She told me this several times with the biggest smile on her face.  Then later when I recanted to the story for my husband, she leaned over and in a stage whisper said "remember I am not supposed to tell." Ha! Gotta love four year olds!

This is the Meatloaf that I made for my dear Mother.  My Father enjoyed it as well. 

For this recipe I used:

2 lbs. Tudor Hall Farm Ground Beef

1 lb.  Tudor Hall Farm Sweet Italian Sausage

2 Tudor Hall Farm Free Range Eggs

1 15oz  can of diced tomatoes

1 large onion

1/2 a sleeve of crackers

4 cloves of garlic

1/2 c chopped fresh Oregano

2 Tablespoons dried Rosemary

2 Tablespoons dried Thyme

2 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika

2 Teaspoons Cumin

salt and pepper

This is my meat defrosted.  2 pounds of ground beef, and a pound of Sweet Italian Sausage

Sometimes I use loose sausage, but most time I just take it out of the casings.  

These are some of my spices.  I accidentally dropped the onion in the bowl and then the cumin and smoked paprika were an after thought.  That is often how I cook.  I have this light bulb moment "Oooh you know what would be really good" and then I dump some in.  I like to use fresh herbs when I have them.  But right now on my deck I just have oregano that wintered over.  I need to put out my other herbs. One more thing to add to my to-do list.  

The onions!

The crackers and those beautiful brown eggs. I just smash up the crackers with my hand when I am about to throw them in the bowl.  I know there are many methods with a rolling pin and plastic bag and all kinds of stuff.  I don't have time for that or a desire to clean it up.  So I just smash it with my hands. You could easily use bread crumbs here.  I do often use bread crumbs, but I am out.  You could even use oatmeal. I had the crackers out because when I was making this we were eating cheese and crackers. No need for a trip to the pantry when these are right beside me.  

This is everything in the bowl.  You can see in the upper left the smoked paprika and then the cumin to it's bottom left.  I really like smoked paprika and cumin. Honestly I have not found a seasoning or spice that I don't like.  But these in particular add a richness.  You can't tell they are there but if they weren't you'd miss them. 

I think nothing works better than a good clean hand for mixing this up.  You want to make sure things are mixed through, but do not over mix.  Over mixing can toughen it up.  

This is my loaf in the pan.  I used a 13 x 9 baking dish.  I did spray it with some non-stick cooking spray.  

This is a big can of tomatoes that I dumped over them.  It gives it a little extra juice too. Then place uncovered in a 350 degree oven for about an hour. Or until it's done.  

Hot out of the oven!

My husband made mashed potatoes.  He mashed these by hand.  He comes from a family with very high standards for mashed potatoes.  I encourage him to demonstrate. These were some of his best.

Green beans.  These just slowly cooked in my dutch oven on the back burner for a long time.  They are just frozen beans with my chicken stock and an onion, salt and pepper.  Super easy! They just cook as you are doing the rest. 

Dad's Salad Greens.  I made a vinaigrette from olive oil and this Lavender Balsamic Vinegar good friends gave me.  It's really good.  

 

My plate.  Can you tell I was hungry?

Dessert.  This is Hot Milk Sponge Cake with Strawberries.  The kids and I went with my cousin to pick some local berries.  I made jam with the bulk of them, but these were some left over.  The Hot Milk Sponge Cake is a recipe that my great grandmother used.  It's simple and you just can't beat it. 

Happy Mother's Day!