march 21

85. All American Meatloaf

This was good meatloaf. It really was moist and yummy. Now we all love meatloaf, so its hard to have a bad meatloaf for us.

*1 TBSP oil
*1 onion, chopped fine
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*1/2 tsp dried thyme
*1/2 cup ketchup
*1/4 cup brown sugar
*4 tsp cider vinegar
*2 large eggs
*1/2 cup milk
*2 tsp Dijon mustard
*2 tsp worcestershire
*1 tsp salt
*1 tsp pepper
*1/4 tsp Tabasco
*2 lbs meatloaf mix (if you can not find it mix lean beef and ground pork) I used beef and venison)
*2/3 cup crushed saltine crackers or breadcrumbs
*1/3 cup parsley

Heat oven to 350
Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat
Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes
Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds
Set aside to cook
Meanwhile mix together ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar, set aside
In a separate bowl mix the eggs, milk, mustard and worcestershire, salt, pepper and Tabasco
Mix the meat crackers or bread crumbs, onion and garlic and egg mixture until evenly blended and the mixture does not stick to the side of the bowl, add a little more milk if it sticks
Turn the mixture onto a foil -lined baking sheet and shape into a loaf
Brush with half the ketchup mixture and bake for 45 minutes
Brush with remaining ketchup and bake another 15 minutes
(make sure that meat is cooked to 160 in the middle
Let cool for 15 minutes and then serve

86. Zucchini with Lemon and Thyme

I knew that this would be a test with my parents. Neither are big on zucchini, but that is what this year is about. So I broke out a Martha recipe and tested it. Everyone likes it. We even got into a big chat about what is a fruit vs a vegetable. (just so you know....cucumbers are a fruit)

*1 1/2 zucchini, cut into large pieces
*2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
* salt and pepper
*1 TBSP lemon juice
*1 tsp thyme

In a skillet heat the oil over medium high heat
Add the zucchini and season with salt and pepper
Toss to coat in oil
Cook until golden brown in spots, about 4 minutes
Transfer to a serving bowl and add the lemon and thyme