Getting Creative with Meatloaf

Dear season begins in almost exactly one month.  That means we must clean out the freezer in preparation for new meat.  I have been craving meatloaf lately, which is a perfect way to use up a couple of pounds of burger.

Here are two recipes I made up:

Smokey Barbecue Meatloaf

1 lb. ground venison (or beef....)

1 egg

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

1-2 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce (Lea and Perrins is the best imho)

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup favorite bbq sauce

2 Tbsp. ketchup

salt and pepper

Mix thoroughly and place in one large loaf pan or two small loaf pans (spray with Pam first).  This is optional, but I topped with french fried onions and drizzled more bbq sauce.  (That was the best part!)  Bake at 350 degrees for 1.5 hrs.

Another option:

Mexi-meatloaf

1 lb. ground venison or beef

1 packet taco seasoning

1 egg

1/2 cup favorite salsa

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup (or so) tortilla chip crumbs (or salad strips)

(Perfect way to use up that partial bag that's been sitting in your cupboard for a few weeks...)

Mix thoroughly and place in greased (or Pammed) loaf pan(s).  Bake at 350 degrees for 1.5 hours.

Josh liked the smokey bbq style, and I claimed the Mexican, of course.  T.T. and I enjoyed the leftovers on soft tortillas with taco sauce, cheese, and sour cream for lunch today.  YUM!

The  colorful tortilla strips made for one patriotic meatloaf!

Basically, be creative with your meatloaf.  Use what you have and think of flavors you like.  Bacon would be awesome in this classic dish.  Throw in some diced jalapenos or green chiles for extra kick in the Mexican style.  What about a buffalo (ground) chicken meatloaf?!?  Does your family enjoy Italian?  Throw in some ground hot sausage, peppers, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce.  And what about breakfast meatloaf with sausage?  Hmmm....  I'll have to try those next time. :)

Free Gas Baked Beans (No Pun Intended)

No pictures for this one... everyone knows what baked beans look like.

Haha, yes, I meant what I said... free gas.  If you shop at Giant (or Martins) you know what I am saying.  Every week, they offer a small selection of products, that when a certain number are purchased, you can get a certain amount of money off per gallon of gas (up to 30 gallons).  For this recipe, I used many ingredients that I have been stocking up on while saving money on gasoline. :)  This is another "what's on hand" recipe.

• Fry 1/2 lb. bacon in a large skillet.  Drain on paper towel.
• Drain most of the drippings.
• Brown 1 lb. venison (yes, deer meat.... we don't buy beef) in the same skillet - making sure to pick up all of the goodies left behind by the bacon!
• Add canned tomatoes (could be diced, puree, whatever).  I had some leftover from another recipe in the fridge that needed to be used.  Or, better yet, fresh from the garden!
• Cut/crumble in the bacon.
• Add a can of your favorite baked beans (this is semi-homemade).
• Pour/squeeze in a half c. or so of your favorite barbeque sauce (or whatever was on the gas points list!)
• I added a bit of ketchup (should have gone for a little mustard, too).
• In another skillet, melt 1/4 c. butter.
• Saute 1 small onion in the butter until translucent.
• Dump both butter and onions into the beans.
• Simmer on low/crockpot on low for about an hour or until ready to serve.

This is a hearty, bold picnic favorite!  Hope you enjoy this spin... or make it your own!

P.S.  I have 5 more weeks, and I'm already up to 1.20 off per gallon!!!
Check out www.forthemommas.com for more info. :)