Every Tuesday night Brian and I host Family Dinner Night at our house. We could have anywhere from 7 to 15 people around the table. In-laws, Out-laws, Halfs, Steps, and sometimes a random friend shows up…. we take the “Family” part fairly loosely…. Blood relation isn’t really required.
Grandpa just turned 90 and since Grandma passed he has been doing much of his own cooking… he asked for one of my crock-pots (I did have seven…. so I could spare one.)… He seems to be enjoying his crockpot concoctions, but it does make me feel good to make a full, home cooked meal for him every week.
It is also nice to have the whole family together fairly often. I’ve never understood why some families only get together on holidays. I mean, I get it, if you live far away or something…. but if you live in the same general area? What is the big damn deal about getting together on a certain calendar date? I’m reasonably available most of the year…. if you want to see me…. call. Have you noticed how miserable those winter holidays are because you are “stuck” attending events with relatives that if they actually gave a damn, could see you most anytime of the year? It’s not special if it’s an obligation, people. I just don’t get it… If family is important to you… then you need to make the effort to see them.
Anyway…. this is the meatloaf I made for Family Dinner Night this week. It’s gluten-free (I don’t know why people add breadcrumbs anyway,) and filled with yummy veggies. If Mom got to choose, we’d never have meatloaf, but ever-so-often I like to make a “manly” meal. I cheated and didn’t make mashed potatoes…. since Brian and I are trying to stay low-carb I try to keep FDN’s low-carb and gluten-free too. I did make (GF) Corn Pudding though…. so they’ll get carbs…. And everyone’s favorite Autumn Salad.
Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground Hamburger
- 1 lb Turkey Sausage
- 3 Carrots
- 4 Celery Stalks
- 1 Onion
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Tbs Garlic (More or less to taste)
- 1 tsp WildTree’s Garam Masala Blend (More or less to taste)
Directions
Clean carrots, celery and onion. Chop into big chunks and chop in food processor until diced fairly small (not a paste…. should still be slightly chunky). Combine veggie mix, hamburger, sausage and eggs. (I tossed everything in the Kitchen Aid mixer.) Next add your chopped garlic and the Garam Masala Blend. (I used a big glob of garlic and just sprinkled the spices in…. This a a more or less to your personal taste kind of thing.)
Dump the mixture into a 13×9 pan and shape into a loaf.
Bake at 375º for 90 minutes.
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