Design-your-own Meatloaf

Meat loaf is a staple at our house - I make it often, and everyone likes it. And it's one of those things you can make based on what happens to be in the fridge and pantry - it doesn't take much planning ahead.

Start with:
2 lbs ground meat (we use elk. You can use beef too, but I've heard turkey doesn't work very well.)

Then you need something to give it texture and hold it together:
1 beaten egg
1/2 - 3/4c. fine dry bread crumbs (homemade bread crumbs are perfect.)

Pile that stuff into a bowl and mix it a bit.

Next you need a liquid - something to make the mixture 'smooshy'. Apple juice is my favorite (leftover from the apples juiced that morning), or you can try tomato juice, milk, beer, wine... whatever's on hand. You'll need about 1/2 a cup. You want it smooshy - not sloppy.

Now comes the fun part:

Chop up some veggies - whatever sounds good. Onion is the norm, but you can also try grated carrot, finely chopped celery, chopped spinach, diced tomatoes, whatever happens to be in the freezer from last year's garden harvest is fine. Corn kernels and chopped olives are tasty too, if you're going for a southwestern style loaf. So toss in whatever veggies sound good - maybe 3/4 c or 1 c. total.

Add in some spices - thyme, oregano, parsley, garlic are all good. Some chili powder for the southwestern effect. Fresh herbs are always the best, but you can use dried or frozen if it's what's available.

Now you mix. Mix like crazy. My mother used to mix with her hands. The thought of doing that makes me gag, so I use a sturdy wooden spoon and smoosh and smash and squish until it's really, really well mixed. The more you mix, the better the texture will be.

Squish the whole bowl full of meat mixture into a loaf pan. Press it down firmly and neatly, then bake it at 375 for about an hour.

If you make your own sauces - ketchup, barbecue, salsa etc. - try spreading some of that on top about 10 minutes before you take it out of the oven.

If there's a bunch of fat, drain it off, then slice up your loaf and serve it. Tasty stuff!