Meatloaf Makeover!

I had a little bit of a self-confidence problem in regards to the kitchen going into this being a housewife thing. 

It wasn't that I didn't know how to cook, it's just that I didn't do it a lot.  We were coaches and our evenings were spent on ballfields and wrestling rooms - so quick and easy was normally how we did dinner.

One Sunday, after making the full time shift to mommy and homemaker, I was planning out our weekly meals and asked my loving husband if he had any requests for the week.  (Since coming up with new meal ideas ranks right up there with curing cancer at times.) 

"Why don't you make you specialty?" he suggested.

"What's my specialty?"  I asked. 

"Meatloaf."

"Meatloaf??  Seriously??"  I wanted to cry. 

"What's wrong with that?  I like meatloaf!"

This sent me, hormonal and then very pregnant with Rachel, into a crying mess - horrified that in my husband's eyes, the best thing I could make in the kitchen was meatloaf.

Now, I've come a long way since then but since many of you posted a couple weeks back that one of your favorite cold dishes was meatloaf, it put me in the mood...and also in the mood for a new recipe.

Let me pause to tell you that I have become slightly obsessed with the Pioneer Woman.  I read a blurb about her book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story on another blog and saw it one day as I was chasing Elizabeth down in the library and decided to grab it on the sprint.

I couldn't put it down.

She tells the story of how she met her husband, left the ambitious career world, and settled down to raise babies.  (Hard to see how I could relate!)  Her writing is wonderful...funny and descriptive and I literally read it in a few days and then immediately went to her blog to see if I could find out what happened next.  Her blog is one of gorgeous pictures, fun stories, mouth watering recipes and the whole thing takes on her spin of ease and humor.  

Even better, the first meal she made for her future husband was a complete disaster...much like the hockey pucks steaks I grilled Scott for an early date.  However, she now has her own cookbook now...while my meals are simply edible!  ha!

So one night last week, when I was searching for a new drug for my meatloaf, I looked to her.  And wholly moly, was it ever wonderful. 

I had to substitute some things because I didn't have everything on hand, but the flavor and moistness of the meatloaf  was unmistakable and this will be how I make it from now on.  Note to anyone looking to try turkey bacon instead of real...don't.  It isn't even worth your time.  I had some in the freezer and thought I'd give it a go...  eck.

Not to say there isn't a place in this world for turkey bacon...I just haven't seemed to find it yet.

My Favorite Meatloaf - Ree Drummond.

You know, if you're in the market for a change, or just some entertainment.  Have a great day!!