I swore the day would never come. If you’ve been reading my posts for a while now, you are probably aware of the fact that I am not a fan of meatloaf. The husband loves it, but I have never been able to enjoy it. But on Sunday, the Penguins lost (badly I might add) in the playoffs to the Flyers. The Pirates basically lost their season before spring training ended, and the Steelers, well, they didn’t have their best year either. So all that was left for my husband, the only thing he has been holding on to, the same (boring) event that he has been talking about and looking forward to for the last three weeks, was the NFL draft.
I don’t get it. I seriously don’t understand the fun in watching the draft, especially for 3 days straight. You can basically just read the picks the next day and save several hours of your life. It’s a bunch of men in one room, the older huddling together and talking in whispers, the younger walking up on stage and holding a jersey with their name on it. It’s boring. It’s the same thing over and over again for 3 long days. My husband was trying to explain his excitement to me by saying “It’s college and professional football all rolled into one!” My response? “You do know no one actually plays football during the draft?” Like I said, I don’t get it.
But it’s been a rough sports year for my dear husband and he has been talking about the draft for an extended period of time so rather than roll my eyes and wish that I was watching Downton Abbey instead of Rodger Goodell, I decided to celebrate his “favorite sports day of the year” by making his favorite little boy meal: meatloaf.
Draft Night Meatloaf (adapted from Cooking Light)
To start chop up a few carrots, half an onion and half a red pepper before tossing into a saute pan. Cook the veggies over medium heat until tender and then transfer to a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of ketchup, 1/2 cup of panko, 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, 1 1/2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, 3/4 teaspoon of oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1 egg and 1 1/4 pounds of lean ground beef. Then mix until combined.
Transfer the meat to a foil lined baking sheet and begin to mold the loaf.
Once molded, top the loaf with additional ketchup.
Bake for 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Before serving top off with a bit of chopped parsley.
I served my first ever meatloaf with rosemary red potatoes and a mixed salad.
I have to admit, it was pretty good. Would it be my pick for most dinners? Probably not, but making the meatloaf myself took a bit of the ‘ick factor’ out. I knew exactly what went into it, added in a few extra veggies, omitted the bacon and actually enjoyed my meal – I may have even had seconds.
From my favorite little chef helper and me “Happy draft night Daddy!” Yes, she helped make the meatloaf Baby Bjorn style.
Welcome to Pittsburgh, David DeCastro. And if you are ever hungry you are more than welcome to join my husband for meatloaf night.
I’m not a fan of meatloaf either! Have you ever tried italian meatloaf? You sort of roll it up with cheese in the middle, it’s just about the only kind of meatloaf I’ll eat, albeit not the most healthy… but yours looks pretty good as well, I’m a huge fan of red peppers!
I’ve have not tried italian meatloaf, but I’ll have to make it sometime. I think I just opened the door to my husband requesting all sorts of meatloaf, so I’ll have to give italian a try. I love how cheese can make pretty much anything taste good!
Oh she is so so cute! The only meatloaf I have ever made is a turkey loaf following a recipe of one of Oprah’s chefs and it is super scrum…. http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Oprah_s-Turkey-Meatloaf-Food_com-157601
Thanks! I’ll have to give that turkey meatloaf a try too!
Dan listened to that draft on the radio/computer until almost 3 am here! I don’t get it either. It took 20 seconds to tell me where the ND players went this morning. I’ve given in with the meatloaf too, but I made turkey quinoa meatloaf…he gets meatloaf…i get a healthier version and less ick factor. Hope things are going well in PA!!
Ha! I know, it takes no time to just read the picks! Turkey quinoa meatloaf sounds amazing. I love quinoa. Maybe I can sneak that into our meatloaf and he won’t notice :) Hope you two are doing well!
Love your food blog. Better be thinking of writing a book! I know I’d buy it and learn much from you.
ha! Maybe some day! We need to cook some fun meals together in July!