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So, yesterday afternoon was rainy and I was lazy. After fixing my noon coffee, I read my Brad Thor novel and drank 2 cups of said (Union Coffee and Chickory, of course, it really is the best). After spending most of the remainder of the afternoon reading and watching the marathon "Next Food Network Star" (if I had known I would later watch thw whole series in one afternoon, I maybe wouldn't have watched them the 1st time around, but I digress).

So, about 5:30, I start thinking about dinner. I rummage through the kitchen. I had 2.5 pounds of ground meat (I got it Friday night for chili, for dogs for my lads and their gang (it is not uncommon to have half dozen or a dozen kids 17-24 hanging around my house. It was still pretty good looking, but I knew I had to cook it. Burgers (no buns, but English muffins, yum)? Chili dogs? Chili for omelettes? meat/tomato sauce for pasta (I did this twice in the last week and although brilliant both times, no)? I continue looking around. I had plenty of onions, one orange bell pepper........meatloaf? Yes! I proceeded to chop and sautee two yellow onions. I flash broiled the pepper directly on a gas burner, then put it in a paper bag for 5 minutes). I peeled it, cored it, chopped it and added it to the onion, which I then seasoned (black and white pepper, garlic powder (I had used all of my fresh garlic Thursday night with meat sauce for pasta), basil, tarragon, Paul's salt free and sea salt. I then removed this from heat and put it in a bowl int he freezer to cool. I put the stainless pot I had cooked them in in the freezer also.

I then mixed my wet ingredients, 2 eggs, little half and half, tiger sauce, balsamic vinegar, creole mustard, and a repeat of the dry seasonings.

when veggies had cooled (20 minutes or so, I put meat in cold stainless pot. Added veggie mix and mixed....then added a few ounces of breadcrumbs and mixed. then the wet stuff and mixed. then molded two loafs in loaf pans. then.....

Went to my preheated BGE (my oldest son knew I was working on meatloaf, but when he had realized I had lit a fire for the egg, he flashed a sly, knowing smile.

I cooked the loafs between 250-300 for about an hour. I then removed them from the fire and cooled for just a minute, then drained the pans of any grease (which the dog loved on his dry food). I put the loafs back on the grill for 15 minutes at 300', then removed. After cooling for 5 minutes, I served the meatloaf with lima beans with onion and bacon and leftover spaghetti tossed in butter, black pepper and sea salt.

While the sides were good, the meatloaf was spectacular.

Over the weekend I had watched a few shows that had real people struggling to put decent meals on the table. I was immediately thankful for my cooking skills and to my grandmother (RIP), mother, aunt, wife, chef friends (RIP Chef Chris) and food friends who have helped me, encouraged me, or other wise spurred me along.

What's for dinner?

I was a vegetarian for over 10 years and even then I enjoyed making meatloaf for others. There are so many ways to make it great.

I roasted a duck again on Sunday. Got it nice and crispy with Kosher salt and black pepper. I like the meat from the one a few weeks ago better but the skin on this was much better. I'll figure it out next time maybe.

I tried to duplicate the white bean and artichoke dip from Del Porto but failed miserably. It was still good, better today actually, but not what I was going for. Had that with roasted portabello mushroom caps. Also made stewed okra and had a nice salad with the gorgeous red lettuce I found over the weekend. All the produce from Hollygrove Market is doing well in my kitchen.

Made a batch of dog food too but I suppose y'all don't really want to hear about all that...

Great post - I got two good ideas from it: using english muffins for hamburger buns (fantastic! I'd never have thought of that); and flaming a pepper right over the gas. The meatloaf sounds wonderful too.
We just had our standard Sunday evening giant Caesar salad and bread; but tonight David is grilling some monster shrimp - it's his night to cook. I can't wait.

thanks!

i love cold leftover meatloaf sandwiches w/mayo on white bread with either bbq sauce or red gravy. feel good food, especially if suffering an overhang.

I think meatloaf sandwiches have been made at my house already today! I hope there is some left for me.

Barbara, thanks for the nice comments. Sometimes I am hesitant to write such a long post. And yes, the burger on properly toasted english muffin is really good (although not my idea). The pepper on burner works well also.

I have been using toasted whole grain flax english muffins with all american flame grilled bocca (soy) burgers cooked stove top with some olive oil to make it dark and crispy on the edges, quite good indeed. Even my 11 year old son like them, says with the cheese etc it tastes like McDonald's. Not sure if that's a compliment or an insult....AHHAA....JJ

I had some leftover Rouses 75% ground beef (the only stuff I use for burgers, can't beat the flavor of extra fat). Decided to make meatballs (not a favorite, but good to keep in the freezer for a quick meal). Anyway, overestimated the amount of meat and having already blenderized 2 eggs, onion, garlic, parsley,oregano, heavy cream, salt and b-w-r pepper, I dumped it all on the meat with a small amount of seasoned bread crumbs (low on the usual panko). Sauteed some garlic in olive oil and fried them up. Meatballs were terrific. Crusty outside, very light and moist, oozing juice when cut into. I guess the lesson learned is to use way too much liquid, fatty meat and not give a crap.

jody, I had 73-27 ground meat. I have been using 80-20 for years (chuck), but have recently gone to the higher fat stuff (the first time, because it was half the price of 80-20; yes this economy is killing me, no pay since January). It is definately the best for burgers.

Had a sandwich last night. Real good.

Tonight what will I do for dinner?...............

I guess I need lunch. Orange chicken form the local take out place (average).

Rummaged thru Mom's fridge, pantry and with some fresh veggies from my uncle's garden...just made a big ole pot of homemade vegetable soup. It smells wonderful. The cornbread is in the oven.

bdavid wrote:Great post - I got two good ideas from it: using english muffins for hamburger buns (fantastic! I'd never have thought of that); and flaming a pepper right over the gas.
thanks!

The peppers right on the burner are fantastic! Burn the heck out of the skins and do them as TD said, cooling in a bag. Rinse the peppers off after peeling off as much of the burned skin as possible. I do all colors, and slice on platter with EV Oilve Oil and Balsamic. Killer appetizer!

Thanks for reminder TD! I havent done any in a few months.