Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a prize-winning meat loaf that’s sure to impress. With simple ingredients like ground beef, tomato juice and oats, it’s easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1 c. tomato juice
- 3/4 c. oats (uncooked)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 c. chopped onion
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
Baking Instructions
- Mix well.
- Press firmly into an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pan.
- Bake in preheated moderate oven.
- Bake at 350° for 1 hour.
- Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.
- Makes 8 servings.
Calorie: 350
Total cooking time:1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Meat Loaf Misadventure
Ah, meat loaf! That classic, hearty dish that has a special place in our hearts (and stomachs). It’s a bit like the uncle who always tells the same stories at family gatherings – traditional, comforting, predictable, and endearing. So today, we’re going to take a wild ride through the process of preparing my version of the ‘Prize-Winning Meat Loaf’. Get ready, it’s going to be a hoot!
Gathering the Troops
The heroes of our tale are 1 1/2 lb. of ground beef, 1 c. of tomato juice, 3/4 c. oats (uncooked, obviously – who wants to cook oats twice?), 1 egg (beaten, not scrambled), 1/4 c. of chopped onion, 1/4 tsp. of pepper, and 1 1/2 tsp. of salt. These are the ingredients that will soon unite to form a culinary masterpiece, or a catastrophic kitchen disaster. Only time will tell…
Mixing Madness
The first step is to get all these ingredients in a bowl and mix them well. This process takes on the chaotic energy of a kindergarten playdate – various elements thrown together, making a mess, but somehow, in the end, creating a beautiful work of art. The ground beef, tomato juice, oats, and egg are like stubborn toddlers who refuse to play nice together at first. But add in the onion, pepper, and salt – the preschool teachers of our metaphorical playdate – and suddenly everyone’s getting along like a dream.
Pressing Matters
Next, you’re going to press this mixture firmly into an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. It’s a bit like trying to stuff your vacation clothes into a suitcase after gaining that holiday weight. You know it should all fit, but it’s going to take a little persuasion. And remember, it’s not the size of the pan, it’s how you fill it that counts!
Baking Blunders
Now comes the part where we bake our masterpiece in a preheated moderate oven at 350° for 1 hour. This step is as straightforward as they come, right? Well, not if you’re me and you’ve accidentally preheated the oven to 530° because your glasses are still on the counter. So, remember kids, always double-check the oven temperature unless you want a blackened, smoky surprise!
The Waiting Game
Once the baking is done, we’re supposed to let it stand for 5 minutes before slicing. They say patience is a virtue, but I’m pretty sure they weren’t waiting for a steaming loaf of meaty goodness when they said that. These are the longest 5 minutes of the process, filled with tantalizing aromas and a growling stomach. It’s a bit like being on a date with a really attractive person and trying not to devour your food like a starving beast.
Serving Shenanigans
Finally, it’s time to serve! The recipe says it makes 8 servings, but let’s be honest, we all know that’s a suggestion rather than a rule. Depending on how your day’s been, this could be a one-person meal.
So there you have it – the rollercoaster ride that is making my ‘Prize-Winning Meat Loaf’. Here’s hoping your kitchen adventure is just as exciting (and hopefully less chaotic) as mine! Happy cooking!
