Family Meatloaf

Photo: flickr user merfam

Preparation

I think one of the best meals to serve during cold winter months is meatloaf, baked potatoes and a big green salad. This is comfort food to the max. So simple, so yummy - it doesn't even matter that it's cheap to boot.

My favorite meatloaf recipe is one that I started making years ago. I found it in a book my mother gave me shortly after I got married, "Sunset Cook Book of Favorite Recipes." The addition of the ketchup/mustard/brown sugar glaze is what makes it so good.

Marjorie Helton

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef2/3 cup quick-cooking oatmeal (uncooked) or 1 cup fine dry bread crumbs 1 cup 1 percent milk1 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon pepper1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning2 eggs1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1 cup chopped onion1/4 cup ketchup1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon prepared mustard1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (or less)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, oatmeal or crumbs, milk, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, eggs, Worcestershire sauce and chopped onion.

Put in a 4 1/2-by-8 1/2 inch loaf pan.

Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and nutmeg. Spread over the meat loaf. Bake about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Meat thermometer should read 160 degrees in the center of loaf.