This One's for Dad! - Meatloaf

Let it be said: You've got the BEST Dad in the world! He is also probably the easiest person to cook for. Since we have been married he has willingly eaten everything I've made. And some of that stuff was not good! I remember a pizza crust that tasted as if I had used homemade play-doh, very salty, didn't rise, really bad. Dad choked it down with a smile and even told me it was good!

It didn't take me long to learn what food to keep on hand for Dad. He is happy with the basics: cereal(to eat in the middle of the night), yogurt(for lunch with some fruit and granola), ice cream(in a cup with milk for a bedtime snack)& diet dew(mix it with juice, it's good all day long).

Ok, I know none of those things need to be cooked. And I did become a better cook. But Dad isn't a guy who needs fancy food, he is happiest with the basics! Good simple food. So here is one of Dad's favorites dishes.

Dad's Meatloaf

2 lbs. lean ground beef

1 envelope Lipton's onion soup mix

3/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs

2 eggs

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup ketchup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Take a rolling pin and crush the onion soup mix in the unopened envelope, Tyler doesn't like the onion pieces. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the water and ketchup (sorry Em but it really needs to go in), breadcrumbs and crushed onion mix. Now crumble up the ground beef into the bowl, it will be easier to mix in.

This is where things get gooey. Choose either a large rubber spatula or your own very clean hands and work the meat into the rest of the juicey mixture. I know, it's not pretty, just do it.

Hopefully you read ahead and got out a nice 9x13 pan, I prefer glass but a regular cake pan works great. If not, wash your hands and pick out a good pan. Then plop the meatloaf mixture into the pan and shape into a loaf. I guess you could get creative and form it into any shape you like, keep that in mind for a special occasion! Now pop it into the oven for at least 1 hour or until done, it might take longer if it's sharing the oven with other food.

Topping - the best part!

Mix 1/2 cup ketchup (I know Em) with 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Spread this on the loaf for the last 15 minutes of bake time.

When done let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes while you call everyone to the table. Dad will be so happy!