Meatloaf! Comfort Food.

I haven't had a chance to do my daily walk the last few days and that irks me. What I have managed is an hour in the garden as the weather has been so great. Gradually moving through the yard with a weeding fork in one hand and a bucket in the other, I wonder if I will actually remove them faster than they will regrow. Then out with a watering can and some Seasol to get all the new baby plants I just put in a good start and I'm done for the day. Yesterday I had to take my eldest back to the doctor to check on that toe. It turned out not to be broken after all, so the cast was removed and we left the surgery with him doing a dramatic casting away of the crutches for a laugh. We followed that up with a visit to our favourite coffee shop since its days are numbered and its doors will close in less than two weeks. Dinner tonight will be a simple affair. It seems so ordinary but one of the great comfort foods is meatloaf. Get a great recipe and it appeals to almost everybody. My family love the glaze that goes with mine.

Basic Meatloaf (serves 6 - with yummy leftovers!)

1kg beef mince
two thick slices white bread
1 cup milk
1 onion chopped finely
1 carrot grated
A good dollop tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt and Pepper

Glaze

1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 180˚C. Line a loaf pan with baking paper. Remove crusts from bread then break into small pieces and place in bowl with the milk to soak for a few minutes. Fork mash the bread and milk mixture then add to remaining meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl mixing well by hand until well combined.Place mixture into prepared loaf pan then upturn this into a roasting pan leaving baking paper on loaf. Cover with foil then place in oven. Bake for approximately 45 minutes. Remove foil and baking paper. Be careful of steam. Drizzle glaze all over loaf and allow to combine with pan juices. Return to oven for about 30 minutes checking from time to time. Add extra liquid (water or stock) to pan if needed. Remove meatloaf to a warm dish. Place roasting pan on stove top and heat while stirring adding more liquid if needed until sauce is the consistency you like.

Glaze: combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat gently for a few minutes until smooth and thickened slightly.

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