Meatloaf and Cauliflower: satisfying weeknight dinner

So I have found out that it is a lot harder to make food look pretty and appetizing in pictures than it is to make food look pretty and appetizing in person.  Meatloaf is not very photogenic!  Even though it is delicious.  Actually, meatloaf gets a bad rap all around.  Called mystery meat and other bad names, meatloaf is very misunderstood.   According to Wikipedia, meatloaf is common in many cultures but became popular in the United States during the great depression as a way to stretch meat by adding bread, cereal and veggies to it.  Meatloaf can be super tasty, comfort food and sure disappeared quick at our house last night.

Mom's Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs ground beef (I used organic from Costco)
1 egg
2 slices bread torn or cut into small pieces
1/2 small onion chopped fine
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 c. Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce, with additional for garnish
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together well, form into a loaf in a glass baking dish and spread a thin layer of barbecue sauce on top of the loaf.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until internal temperature exceeds 160 degrees. 

This is my attempt at mashed cauliflower.  It really turned out more like rice.  I don't have a food processor so I used a mixer which caused quite a mess in the kitchen with cauliflower splattered everywhere!  The taste is great, but the texture was a bit odd.

Mom's Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients:
1 large had of cauliflower cut into pieces and steamed until very tender
1/4 c. sour cream
2 Tb butter
2 Tb milk
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c grated cheddar cheese

Puree cauliflower with blender or food processor.  Add sour cream, butter and milk and continue to mix until creamy.  Pour into a glass baking dish.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cheese.  Bake in 350 oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.


Add a green salad to the meatloaf and cauliflower and you have a great dinner!