Thursday, October 27, 2011

FIRESIDE COMFORT FOOD ON A SNOWY NIGHT: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

Yesterday it snowed all day and
 we got about 8 inches at our house!



Blue Jays and Rocky Mountain Bluebirds come to my back door to squabble over the nuts and inside I decided to make some true comfort food.  Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes work for comfort.  Nearby the woodstove was fired up and cozy!

This recipe is so yummy and easy.  That's important - yummy and easy!  Here is what you will need for your meatloaf:


1.25  lb lean ground beef and 1 lb of ground turkey, 1 cup of chopped mushrooms, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup quick cooking oats, 3/4 cup of dried chopped parsley, 1 medium onion, chopped well, 1/2 tsp dried sage,1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  I purchased a meat loaf pan which is basically 2 pans with the top one having holes in it for the juices to drip into the bottom pan. I like this pan.  They have them at the grocery store or any discount market.


In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until well blended.  Place this thick mixture into your butter loaf pan. Bake until loaf is firm and browned - about 1 hour 15minutes.

Remove from oven and let sit 10-15 minutes. You will be serving this with mashed potatoes and gravy.  I sliced mine and froze 1/2 right away for later use!


Now that I have made this gravy, I recommend doubling the recipe as we like a lot of gravy and could have used more!

Recipe for gravy:  3 Tb butter, 1 small onion chopped, 1 cup chopped mushrooms, 3 Tb flour, 1 can of beef stock - 1 1/2 cups, salt and pepper
This gravy is wonderful and so easy - you will use it often!  In your saucepan, melt the butter and saute  onions and mushrooms in it.  After the onions begin to brown, add the beef stock and stir in the flour and whisk it nicely to combine and reduce lumps.  Keep stirring into a gentle boil and reduce heat as it will thicken nicely.
Salt and pepper to taste and after you make this you will never need to buy any of those little brown gravy packets again.

14 comments:

  1. OMGoodness! I forgot how early you get snow! 8 inches! I do love the sweet little squirrel and the birdies too. I just made meatloaf last week after not making it in ages and my husband loved it. It was almost identical to your recipe. I will have to try the gravy with it...yum!! True comfort food!

    Stay warm!

    Hugs, Sheri

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  2. OH.....I ENVY YOU.....I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ALL THAT SNOW........I HAVE AN AMISH MADE STOVE IN MY BEDROOM, AND IT IS SO COZY ON THESE COLD MORNINGS AND EVENINGS........EVERYONE LAUGHS AT ME BECAUSE I ALWAYS ASK FOR MEATLOAF, IT IS A FAVORITE OF MINE.
    YOURS LOOK SO DELICIOUS, AND WHAT A GREAT RECIPE FOR GRAVY....THANK YOU FOR SHARING. GREAT PICTURES...HOPE NJ HAS A LOT OF SNOW THIS WINTER....TAKE CARE.....
    RIZZI

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  3. Your snowy yard animal friends are a taste of things to come in more southern climates! Meatloaf is a family favorite at our house, too - a patter of good olde ye English eats!

    Joy!
    Kathy

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  4. I saw on the news that you were in for snow! I can't imagine. Seems like you just got rid of the stuff.Will have to try your meat loaf recipe...yummy!
    Love,
    Lady Linda

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  5. There is just not a better meal! Have to have peas with it too. Nice pictures of the birds and squirrel. Snow....
    Carol

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  6. There's nothing like meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas on a snowy night!

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  7. Hi Bernideen,
    Snow is nice but not now, it seems me pretty early. Your little friends are hungry and surely happy to get your support. Your dinner looks yummy. Thank yu for sharing, I hope you stay warm in your house.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  8. Gosh Bernideen, I can't believe the snow you have already.
    Meatloaf is comfort food for me from way back and I too like it with peas, mashed potatoes and gravy.
    Mmm, your's looks so good and I'm going to try your gravy recipe - I use the Clubhouse packages.
    Judith

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  9. Bernideen, I love your bird photos. Sorry winter began so early, but I'll bet the snow will be gone soon. Your dinner looks GREAT! Thanks for sharing the recipes! You are a fabulous cook, Bernideen.
    Hugs, Beth

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  10. Now THAT'S comfort food! Perfect for a snowy night indeed! I love your garden visitors...and especially as they were kind enough to pose for your photos for our blessings! Thanks so much!
    Ruth

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  11. Wow, talk about a scrumptious meal. It looks fantastic and so comforting. Beautiful snow and wildlife photos. Thanks for sharing!
    Love Carol B.

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  12. Hi Bernideen,

    We finally received our first snowfall last night. Your dinner looks delicious and I bet it was nice sitting next to the stove. Your bird and squirrel pictures are wonderful.

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  13. Sounds like the perfect comfort food on a snowy evening! (Snow? Already? It will be months before there's a chance of any at my house!) And your bird photos are just so lovely!

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  14. Such lovely pictures of the animals in the snow. I will be trying your recipe. It sounds delicious.

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