Trying something new

Believe it or not, I have never tried Meat Loaf or indeed made it.  Tonight therefore I have set too and armed with a low sodium low fat recipe, (which apparently is suitable for Diabetics), I have made one.  It is currently cooking in the oven.

The recipe is here and comes from the Recipe Website.

Meat Loaf Recipe

Making the gravy using the 1/2 cup of low fat low sodium Beef Broth by adding to a pan and heating through.  I added in my usual flavourings to water, as I did not have any Beef stock to hand.  I let this cool down.

In a separate bowl (primarily because my pan was not big enough) I added all the other ingredients together i,e, 2 slices wholemeal sliced bread finely crumbled, 1/2 a cup of finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup finely chopped celery, 1/2 cup grated carrot and I also added in 1/2 cup finely chopped leek.

In the gravy pan add in the 1lb of minced beef until the gravy is well amalgamated.  Then add in the two beaten eggs.

Then add in all the items in the bowl.  Thoroughly amalgamate the ingredients again with a fork so that everything is well mixed up.

Add in the 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, one teaspoon of mustard powder and pepper to season.

Pre-grease a loaf tin and then add all the contents to the pan pressing down with a fork.

Add the Tablespoon of Tomato Ketchup to the top of the meat loaf and smooth it all over.  Pop into a pre-heated oven Gas Mark 4, 350 Degrees.  Popping foil on the top so that the loaf does not dry out and burn.  Cook for 45 minutes.

Take foil lid off and then add back to the oven for another 30 minutes.

This evening I served it with a baked potato, cheese, butter, coleslaw and  mixed salad.  It has gone down an absolute treat.

It would appear to be an easy one, and if we like it, will be a good dish to be able to rustle up midweek.

There is plenty left to go at and it will be used up during the week.

Verdict:

Very pleased with this.  It will be putting in an appearance again.  Nice thrifty recipe that was extremely tasty.  Be good cold as well as hot.  Next time will probably serve with mashed potato and veggies.

Weather-wise it has been a lovely day. I woke early with the Dawn and fell asleep again wish I wasn't so sleepy and could stay awake to listen to the day gently coming in. Today has been a pottering type of day, mostly dealing with washing i.e. the pets bedding although I still have a bit more to do.  It has been line dried.  There is no point in washing stuff if I cannot get it dry straight away.  Still have other washing to do in any event.  I may bung some out tomorrow as it is forecast to be dry.  Wish I was down in Cornwall, but you can only do what you can do.   Plenty to do here in any event.  I am on a mission to get sorted, bit by bit and I am not a person to sit idle.  These lighter nights are really making a difference.

I have sown seed today some Roma tomatoes - quite a few using proper compost in the bottom and then some of the peat free on top.  I have used a hand sprayer to moisten the peat free compost, which is what I tend to do to keep the seeds moist.  Will see what happens.  They are indoors together with the seeds sown yesterday.  I intend to grow some outdoors as well as indoor tomatoes. OH loves fresh tomatoes and I like them for homemade pasta sauce which is "canned/bottled" and stored on the Pantry shelf.  I not only like to eat as well as we can, I am always planning to put stuff up and squirrel things away for another day.

I have also been to the veg shop and stocked up on fresh veggies.  Also added a couple of things from the supermarket which the veg shop did not have.  Well stocked on veggies for the week now.  They did not have any eggs, and so I may need to get some from somewhere as I have about five eggs left.

Today's purchases have been two bowls of reduced Clementine oranges, Blueberries, Leeks, Courgettes, Savoy Cabbage, Sweetheart Cabbage, Kale, Cauliflower, Swede, Kale, frozen petit-Pois, a couple of Red Peppers.  Together with what was bought during the week, i.e. parsnips, beans, carrots, Spring Greens there is quite a healthy supply of veggies for the week which I am pleased about.  There is some very good eating there to go with whole Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Wings, Leg of Lamb, Rack of Ribs x 2,  M & S Sausages with cheese, Sweet Onion Sausages and Bacon.  The remains of the Roast Lamb will be turned into posh Shepherd's Pie using up any veggies leftover and mint sauce.  A Jamie Oliver recipe which is very yummy and gets the best out of any leftovers.

Right am off to put my feet up.

Have a lovely Easter everyone.

Take care and catch you soon.

Pattypan

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