Archive for May, 2009

I wouldn’t say my kids are picky eaters…. but they are REALLY picky about meatloaf.  Here’s how  I make it.

Meatloaf Cupcakes for #5

Ingredients are simple, and can be reduced or doubled depending on the size of your family.

Meatloaf

• 2 1/2 lbs of hamburger
  
• 2 TSP salt
• 2 TSP pepper
• 1/4 C  brown sugar
• 1/2 C  Ketchup
• 2 pkg Brown Gravy Mix
• 5        Crackers

Sauce

• 3/4 C Ketchup
• 1/4 C Lemon Juice
• 3/4 C Brown Sugar

3/4 C of Ketchup

1/4 C of Lemon Juice

3/4 C brown sugar

Mix it all together… for a tangy-sweet sauce

Now.. on to the Meatloaf…

I combine eggs, Ketchup, salt & pepper in a large bowl

It’s time for the meat!

Mix it all together..

Add some brown sugar… and mix some more.

I then add my secret ingredient.. Brown Gravy Mix..

I add the crackers. Mostly for tradition.. and nothing else

So here’s where my meatloaf goes wrong..

I spread the mixture out on the cookie sheet, and bake it at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes

My kids don’t like the “loafiness” of meatloaf. **I used to make it heart shape so #1 would eat it!

I wish I could show you my meatloaf as being perfect and neat when it came out of the oven.. but it’s not.

I drain any grease, and spoon the sauce on the top.  I put it back in the oven on broil for about 2 minutes.

Because I love my little monkey’s I make #4 and #5 meatloaf cupcakes

If you are on a diet these meatloaf cupcakes are perfect size..

Here’s #5 with his meatloaf cupcakes..

Here’s the meatloaf cut up…

Very Simple Ingredients

1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar

Brisket

1 bottle of liquid smoke

pepper

garlic salt

I buy my brisket in the  "feed an army size".  But you can buy whatever size you'd like. I also buy "untrimed" brisket.  Meaning the fat is still left on it.  WHY?  Because it cost LESS for an untrimmed brisket, and because The Man says brisket tastes better that way, and who want's to argue with The Man?

I clean and wash the brisket.

Sprinkle Garlic Salt on it, then massage.

I sprinkle pepper on it.. and rub it in.

Pour Liquid Smoke bottle in the pan along with about 2 cups of water.  If your brisket is smaller, you only want to use 1/2 or a quarter bottle of liquid smoke.  I add water to my pan,  enough that it goes to to the middle side of the brisket.  You don't want it to cover it.

I liberally add brown sugar

I put it on thick, because this makes a nice crust on the brisket.

Once the top of the brisket is covered in brown sugar, put it in a 275 degree oven.

I cook a mondo brisket like this for 6-7 hours, or until is loose when you put a fork in it.

Looks good huh?  But it's not done..

I have this big fork thing… and I flip it over.

Then I take the tongs and scrap the fat off.

Once the fat is off.. I start the garlic, pepper, brown sugar process again.

I put it back into the 270 degree oven for another couple of hours.

It's Done!

It will pull off in "strings" like this..

I cut the brisket in half, and move it to another dish.

I use my kitchen shears to cut the brisket into bit size pieces.

I pour the "juice" from the pan in my gravy separator.. to separate the juices.

About this time The Man comes in to steal a piece of brisket.. and I have to tell him .. NO Then there some wrestling

He usually wins. I don't understand why he must sample my food.

That's when he says: "This is my house, I can sample the wares when I want".

I pour the de-greased juice over the chopped brisket.

#4's so cute.. I gave him a piece..

Heaven…