The Missing Meat Loaf Recipe.

Awhile back, I don't know like some years ago, I was on the quest to find a Meat Loaf recipe. I had never made Meat Loaf, but only ate it. 

So I went to my go to place for just about everything in my life. The great internet. I looked high and I looked low. I studied the recipes, pictured how the ingredients would taste together, went back and forth, finally I had it narrowed down to two. Close enough, I could work with that.

So I tried the first one, not very impressed. Don't get me wrong, it made a good loaf, but it sure wasn't like mom used to make. So the next time I tried recipe number two. Even farther off the mark with that one. Was wishing I just had my mom's recipes.

Let's fast forward three years to the present. I was digging through mom's recipe boxes, and what did I find? Not one, but two of mom's Meat Loaf recipes! I had the little buggers all along! Three years ago I never thought to dig through the recipe boxes. Sigh...

So of course I made them, well I made one of them, and it was just like mom used to make! (don't figure since it was her recipe) 

My mom loved to cook. Thing is, unless she was following a recipe to the T, it usually wasn't very good. I, as her guinea pig can attest to that. She collected most of her recipes from friends, books, and who knows where else. I'm not sure if there is any in those boxes that she actually came up with, but the ones I do have are one's I grew up on. I loved most of them, and I enjoy making them for my family so they can have a bit of grandma even though she has passed. 

So today I bring you:

Mom's Sour Cream Meat Loaf

For the filling:

1/2 c. chopped onions

1 c. mushrooms

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine

1/3 c. sour cream

For the loaf:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

2/3 c. oatmeal

1 egg

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 tsp. salt 

1tsp Worcestershire sauce

2/3 c. milk

Ok here goes the directions, this could get a bit hairy carry. 

Filling:

Take the onions and mushrooms and brown them in the butter or margarine. 

When done, add sour cream. 

Set aside

Loaf:

Mix the beef, oatmeal, egg, salt, pepper, Worcestershire, and milk together well. Will be very moist.

Place half of meat mixture in your pan

Add the filling to the top of meat mixture.

Place remaining meat mixture over the filling.

Seal pan with tin foil.

Bake in pre-heated 350 oven for 1 hour.

Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. 

Well holy crap, hope that sounds right for you alls. If you have any questions let me know, I'll try to help you the best I can. 

Flash Back in Time: Ravioli Casserole for Crock Pot

   I was digging again in Ma's recipe boxes and came across this one. Apparently I put a few recipes in there,since this one is in my writing from way back when I cared if people could actually read my writing. Oh so nice and neat it was. Keep in mind I have never tried this recipe, in fact a lot of the recipes you find on here is just me trying new recipes. Ready for the adventure? If it is a recipe I have tried, I will make sure I put in in the post. Any how back to this recipe.

     Now when I took the photo of the ingredients I missed a couple of things, so please don't go by the photo. Make sure you check the recipe at the bottom of this rambling.

     Ok back again...having problems staying on task here. So I will tell you a bit about this recipe that I wrote down all those years ago. First it is a Crock Pot recipe. I love these kinds of recipes, but I always forget to start them early enough to have them done by dinner. Not today! Secondly the directions call for just throwing all the ingredients in the pot, including the raw hamburger. Yeah, I just have a problem with that. You see running a restaurant kind of makes you think about the temperature of the meats your cooking. I have gotten most of my Crock Pots used, so I have no idea if they are cooking at their correct temperature. Better to be safe than sorry. I cooked the hamburger before placing in the pot. I'm going to add a bit of water to compensate for the lack of liquid from the meat.

Cooked hamburger with the missing onion and garlic

     Next  I added the tomato sauce, I only used a large can which was one ounce off of the total amount, added the stewed tomatoes, Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper, and would have added the oregano, but I found out that I was out so I used basil instead, thawed spinach, and finally the bow tie noodles. (note I should have mixed it all up before adding the noodles, would have made it much easier.)

     Then we add the last ingredients, the grated Parmesan, and Mozzarella cheese. I debated on whether to just sprinkle it on top, or to mix it in. I decided to mix it in since it wasn't going to be getting that nice brown color you get in the oven. 

     That's it! Now you just turn your Crock Pot on low for the next 7-8 hrs. Kick back and enjoy your day. I will let you know how this tastes when we eat if for supper tonight. If you try this, post your comments down below. Well I guess post any comments you have down below. You  have a good day now.

OMG I forgot to post the recipe! Here it is.

Ravioli Casserole

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb hamburger

1 medium  onion chopped

1 clove garlic minced (I used two since I really like garlic)

2 cans (8 oz each) tomato sauce ( I used one 15 oz can)

1 can (14 oz) stewed tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried crushed Oregano ( I used Basil since that's what I had)

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

1pkg (10 oz.) frozen , chopped spinach thawed

1pkg (16 oz) bow tie pasta cooked (I put mine in uncooked-oops fingers crossed)

1/2 c. grated parmesan

1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella

Directions: Throw in a Crock Pot on low for 7-8 hrs.

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