Mini Meatloves with Sweet Tomato Glaze

A hot-off-the-griddle, warm welcome to my new readers! Pull up a chair and I'll make you a nice cup of tea in my mind.
Yesterday after I was finished filming my donut segment for TV, I raced out of the studio, and headed straight for home, a 5 hour drive. (The charges were blissfully playing at their cousin's house near Salt Lake City.) Sailor has a voice class that she's already missed three times while we were in the Middle East, and I didn't want to end up doing more make-up classes for make-up classes. I drove sensibly, but the goal of making it to voice class was on my mind. I pulled up to class at 4:30 on the dot, not a minute too soon or too late. (Thank you again, my over-worked, underpaid guardian angel, whoever you are.) I raced home to wash the 5 hour old donut dishes and then I ran back to pick up Sailor, only to have to race her home again to get her ready for her ballet make-up class. I remembered my mom was home alone, and called to make sure she had dinner. Then, I did the only sensible thing that a frazzled mother can do around 6ish on Monday night. I went through the Del Taco drive-through. The man at the window had a twinkle in his eye. He's my new funny friend and his name is Tito. "You look pretty brave, so I give you the hottest Del Scorcho sauce, lady." I told him I thought I could take it his Del Scorcho and put it in my kid's baby bottles; we like it hot at my house. "Why you come here for dinner tonight? You look like a nice lady. You don't make dinner for your family? Maybe I make dinner for you, then you should make dinner for me." Then we both chuckled for a while. I'm not in the habit of inviting strange men to my house for dinner, but I just might make an exception for silly Tito. Anyone who can make me laugh at the drivethrough deserves a warm meal. This, and not Del Taco quesadillas, is what my family is having for dinner tonight. It's a great meatloaf recipe for those busy nights (and tonight is another one of those) when you don't have time to warm your hands by the oven for an hour. These yummy little loaves are cheap to make and bake up in just twenty minutes. The best part is the sweet tomato glaze over the juicy meat, especially if you've got some mashed potatoes on the side. Eat your heart out, Tito!

Money Saving Tips: Buy your ground beef in bulk for the best deals. Take it home and freeze it one pound portions, for easy meals. Stale bread of unwanted loaf heels are put to good use in this recipe.

Miniature Meatloaves with Sweet Tomato Glaze

Estimated Cost: $5.00 for 4

1 slice bread

1/3 cup milk

1 lb. ground beef (I used ground sirloin)

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup instant oatmeal

1/2 cup minced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

2 tablespoon ketchup

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line cookie sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Break up bread into 1 inch pieces and place in large bowl. Pour milk over the top and allow to soak in for about thirty seconds. Add beef, egg, oatmeal, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano. Gently mix until well combined. Shape beef into four separate oval "loaves" and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes. Meanwhile combine ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar in a small bowl. Brush over mini meatloaves. Bake for an additional five minutes. Let stand for five minutes before serving. Serves four.

Up Next:

Thanksgiving Dinner Roll Tutorial