I Am Now a Meatloaf Lover

I went to my parents' on Sunday to finish up my taxes (and play Dance Dance Revolution with my sister). "So what's for lunch?" Mom said, "Meatloaf." Imagine a full balloon's air being released while it flies around the room. There aren't many things I don't like to eat, but I hate meatloaf. "Mom, I would do anything for love, but I won't eat that." It's the consistency and the ketchup and the blandness, and yuck. According to Wikipedia, meatloaf is one of the most popular dishes in the country, and I think, "God, we have such bad taste." Well, I take it back. I take it all back. My mom, inspired by a segment on NPR (can't remember which), improvised a new take on the Depression-era dish. Apparently, it helps to think of meatloaf as one giant Italian meatball. So this was meaty and packed with flavor. No ketchup necessary.

The Best Meatloaf Ever: 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1 or 2 cloves garlic, chopped or minced 1 red pepper, chopped 1/2 pound ground hamburger 1/2 pound Italian sausage (Craig, here's the key to why you love my mom's spaghetti and why you'll love this meatloaf) 1 egg 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs salt and pepper to taste 1 teaspoon oregano 1/4 cup tomato sauce with Italian seasoning (basil, parsley and oregano) Italian loaf parmasan cheese slices Saute the onion, garlic and red pepper.

Preheat the oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg and then throw in the sauteed vegetables, meat, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and oregano. With your hands mix it all up. Form a log (gross) with the meat, sort of like how you would with meatballs. Pour the sauce on top of the log and sprinkle with parmasan cheese. Bake for 1 hour.

My mom improvised this open-faced sandwich. So buy your Italian loaf and throw it in the oven with the meatloaf for a few minutes. Slice the bread hot-dog-style (long ways). Place meatloaf on bread and adorn with parmasan cheese slices. Consider yourself converted.