Meatloaf

 My mother never made meatloaf. It just wasn't something she cooked. We had it maybe once or twice growing up when my stepfather made it. I don't remember if I liked it or not, but I know I enjoy it now. We probably have once a month or so, or whenever we feel lazy and don't want to go to the grocery store. Why does meatloaf get such a bad rap? It can be delicious, healthy, fun and a great way to help clean out your pantry. It was also voted as the #7 favorite dish in the U.S. in 2007, according to Good Housekeeping.

What we make in our house is close to what my husband and his father made. I realize there is no right or wrong way to eat a meatloaf, but this is a really yummy way to get in some veggies and meat. We have subbed (accidentally) broccoli for spinach once and red onion for white (it gives it a little extra kick).

Ingredients:
One pound hamburger meat, thawed
One package of frozen chopped spinach (not creamed)
Most of medium-sized onion, chopped (you can saute it if you don't want the raw onion bite)
4 eggs
10-15 saltine crackers
1/4 C - 1/3 C Ketchup
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 350. Put foil on a cookie sheet.
Put the hamburger meat in a large bowl.
Heat up the frozen spinach according to the package directions. Once heated, drain and then squeeze out all the water you can from the spinach (you can cook down fresh spinach if you are so inclined, but the end product is the same).
Add the spinach to the hamburger meat. Add onion. Be sure both are cool before adding.
Add eggs and crackers.
Add ketchup, salt and pepper. Mix. I recommend forgoing decency and just putting your hands in there to mix it. You  have to shape it anyway.
Shape into a loaf on the foil-covered cookie sheet. I assume (I have never tried another shape, for fear of burning some and not cooking the rest of another shape loaf) the reason it is always put in a foil shape is help it cook evenly.
Bake it for between 20-30 minutes. Check the center to be sure it is cooked all the way through.

Voila! Dinner with veggies in one handy dish. Tomorrow you can even slice it a little thin and put it between bread or toast for an excellent sandwich. Enjoy!