Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf is a Canadian invention. It was invented by my mother during the depression. It was an economical meal, very nourishing and very delicious.

She let the world in on this recipe and now some consider it a candidate for Canada's National Dish.

Every Canadian Family, all across the country, eats this superb meal at least once a week.




The first thing you must do is wash your hands thoroughly in soap and water. You will see why later.





Now gather all the tools you will need and most ingredients. Notice how clean my hands are.





Now put almost 1 kilo (2 pounds) of ground beef in a bowl. Some people like a mix of beef and pork. I don't.





Next chop up an onion and put it in the bowl with the meat.





Now get 2 cans (or in this case two boxes) of vegetables such as peas, corn, carrots etc.





Put them in the bowl.





Now the mix is starting to look colorful.





Cut up one or two slices of bread and add to the mix along with 1, 2 or 3 eggs. The eggs act like glue to hold the finished meat loaf together. They also add taste.





Now add the remnants of that almost empty ketchup bottle you have in the fridge. Any ketchup will do as it is being cooked. I used Heinz Ketchup in Canada but here, in Águas da Prata, I find Hellman's tatses almost the same.




Now add as much black pepper as you wish.





I used Club House Meat Loaf seasoning in Canada. I even brought some here. But we used it all up and now we must improvise. Here we are adding a disolved boulion cube.





Now comes the best part. Put you hands deep into the bowl and start to knead the whole mixture thoroughly. Now you see why I said wash your hands first.





After you have mixed everything completely and put it in a roasting dish or pan your hands will look like this. *SMILE*





Put the dish in a 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven and cook for an hour.





Now it is optional if you want to wash your hands again or just wipe them on your T-shirt. I chose to wash again.





An hour later it is cooked. Look at the look of anticpation on the Chef's face!





The table is set and it is time to eat.





Oh My God, that looks and smells lovely.





After it cools put the remains in the refrigerator for tomorrow. If you can resist the temptation to snack tonight you will have a wonderful lunch/supper tomorrow. Notice this dish is beside the jar of Geleaia de Jabuticaba that Judy made. To read about that go to http://amazingjabuticaba.blogspot.com/


The Meat Loaf is excellent hot, cold, alone, or with other things like potatoes. It is fabulous in sandwiches hot or cold. Some people love to smother Meat Loaf in gravy. It is very versatile to serve any way you like it.

Now you can enjoy an authentic, almost 100%, Canadian meal in Brasil or anywhere else. This is extremely delicious. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!


Recipe:

2 pounds of ground beef
1 onion
Peas, corn, carrots
2 slices chopped bread
2 eggs
seasoning to taste
pepper
ketchup

Mix it all together then cook for one hour.

Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes or even with rice.

You can substitute any veggies or spices or even leave them out. Use your imagination. It is difficult to make a mistake making Meat Loaf. Enjoy!




Photos by Urso Branco

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