One of the first things that I discovered living alone is that I do not like to cook for one. It’s no fun. My daughter has “turned the tables” on me and admonishes me with “Mom, you’re not eating right” and “Mom, you have to take good care of yourself”! It’s a bit of Déjà vu…for years ago, during her college days, I recall telling her the same thing!
Granted, anytime I would like to drive 14 minutes, I am invited to her home where she cooks all-organic, wonderful meals for her family…and I do that from time to time. I have even driven over and cooked dinner for them a few times! (She posts the recipes or the links to some of her delicious dishes on her blog here.)
It’s time to remember my love of cooking. I certainly have the cookbooks for it!
So, tonight, I am preparing three small meatloafs (one for now…two in the freezer for later). I am making them reminiscent of Mama’s wonderful meatloaf with just one change. I’m using chili sauce instead of tomato sauce.I will make homemade mashed potatoes and Birds Eye steamer veggies (easy enough). If I am really inspired, I will cook some crispy cornbread muffins. Mama would have made a “pone” of cornbread in the cast iron skillet but that would be too much for one. The muffins will keep better in a zip lock bag.
It’s not the most elaborate meal I’ve ever prepared but it’s a start…and my daughter will be happy. Not to mention the fact that I will have some good “leftovers”! 😉
Meat Loaf
1 pound ground round
1/2 onion, chopped fine or chunky – your preference
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped fine or chunky – your preference
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned pepper
12 oz. DelMonte Chili Sauce
Panko bread crumbs (about 1/2 cup or more – enough to make good consistency)
Sometimes, I make a sauce of brown sugar, ketchup and a little mustard to spread over the top of the meat loaf…
Combine all ingredients well with clean hands. Makes one large meatloaf or three small ones. Bake at 350 degrees until done. The larger meat loaf takes about an hour. Adjust time for the smaller ones – depends on size.
7 Comments
Rosemary...
Hey Dianne, you know I really don’t like to cook much at all. I agree with your daughter and it’s funny how the tables do turn. I like the idea that you made 3 and freezing 2 of them. I’m copying your recipe because I love meatloaf.
I’m crazy for cornbread muffins, I’m always buying premade do you have a recipe to share?
Have a wonderful weekend,
Hugs Rosemary…
Janet
Dianne, I’m glad you’re getting back to cooking. I know it’s something you love to do. I have always enjoyed cooking, but in my single days I didn’t do as much of it as I should have. It is difficult to cook for only one! And it’s just more gratifying to cook for others. So I fully understand why you are not as motivated to cook and bake as you did before. But I hope you continue to make the effort to do so. It will be better for your health, and the rest of us can once again enjoy seeing and reading about all the delicious foods you are preparing!
grace
i agree that cooking in exciting ways for just one body is hard, even if you’re inspired! the make-and-freeze method is a good one, and these meatloaves sound grand. incidentally, i don’t think i’ve ever pluralized meatloaf before. 🙂
Karen
This is a great idea, Dianne! Many times I am alone while Hubby is travelling on business and these would be perfect to keep on hand. I hope you do more of these types of features, there are many who eat alone! Hugs. xx
Kim
I remember my mother commenting on how happy she was that my grandmother still cooked for herself, unlike my Aunt Lucy who would have a bowl of cereal for dinner. Sigh, I am afraid I am more like Aunt Lucy! I do have a couple of other people to cook for but if it weren’t for them I would have a hard time getting up the energy to cook for just myself. I happen to be making meatloaf for dinner tonight, BTW! ! I happened on over by way of Pioneer Woman.
tanna
I’m afraid when I’m dowon to one, the inspiration to cook may wane… You are a good inspiration to work on this, Dianne!! blessings ~ tanna
Mitzi
When you’ve had a big family I think it is very fiffcult to stop cooking like you’re feeding the street so I now have little takeaway and foil containers and when I make too much which I invariably do I put the remainder in a take away box and have instant ready meals in my freezer for the times when I just can’t be bothered having to use my brain to think about what to cook..