Meatloaf & Smashed Potatoes

Everyone has their own comfort food meals. This is one of ours ~

Good ol’ meatloaf and smashed potatoes. It feels a little old fashioned to me ~ like maybe I should be wearing a vintage dress and heels while I make it ~ ala June Cleavor ~ although, truth be told, I’ve never seen an episode of Leave it to Beaver!:)

Meatloaf and Smashed Potatoes was a regular meal when I cooked for the camp. It seemed to a favorite with people of all ages.

It’s really just a basic meatloaf recipe.

I learned a few secrets when I cooked it for the masses, though.

Tips for making meatloaf amazing!

1.If you make this for a ginormous crowd, it can be mixed up in an industrial mixer. However, DO NOT over mix it after you put the oatmeal in. If you do, it turns very gummy. Although it never happened to me, I’ve heard horror stories.;)

2.Rather than baking  meatloaf in a loaf pan (where the grease sits in a pool on the top ~ Yuck!), try this trick: Pat the meatloaf into a loaf pan so it’s packed solidly. Then flip it onto a large pan with sides which has been lined with parchment paper.

(“Whack it!” firmly on the bottom, til it slides out of the loaf pan.)

The grease will then run out onto the pan as it bakes. It works like a charm!

3. The secret weapon of this meatloaf is the sauce you pour over the top. It makes the house smell delicious as it bakes and adds so much flavor!

Meatloaf typically is served with some type of potato. Baked potatoes work great. These smashed potatoes are a slight variation to classic baked.

Here’s how to make Smashed Potatoes:

1.Wash baby potatoes and place in large saucepan covered with water.

2. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender. Be careful that you don’t overcook them, though, or they will fall apart.

3. Drain cooked potatoes, and place on baking dish.

3. Smash each one with a potato masher.

4.Brush each one with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper and any other spices of choice. (I used Epicure’s Oven Roast spice this time.)

4.Place in a 400 degree oven & bake until they are lightly browned and slightly crispy. (About 10 minutes).

Umm…umm..Good!

Meatloaf & Smashed Potatoes

 

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Author: Rita Joy @ harbourbreezehome.com

Ingredients

• MEATLOAF:
• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup oatmeal
• salt and pepper to taste
• SAUCE:
• 2 Tbs. brown sugar
• 2 Tbs. mustard
• ⅓ cup ketchup

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, milk, oatmeal and seasonings. Place in a 5 x 9 inch loaf pan. Pat down lightly, then flip onto a large pan with sides that has been lined with parchment paper.
3. In a separate bowl, mix sauce ingredients together well. Pour over meatloaf.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 - 1½ hours, or until completely cooked in the center.

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