Tuesday, November 16, 2010

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

12 comments:

The JR said...

You sound like you were in over drive!

Watch that Tito, he's a flirt.

Fantastic Mr. R said...

Seriously I think I know who Tito is. I'm sad to admit that I have been through that drive-through way too many times. He is a funny guy.
Anyway thanks for the new recipe to try. I think my family would love these.

Cookin' Canuck said...

Funny story about your new friend, Tito! This is the perfect meal for a busy night. I never think to make meatloaf, but know my family would appreciate it if I did.

Nana said...

Caught your donut show. Looked great.. so did you. ha ha ha
I love anything meatloaf.

Watch out for Tito.

Tanji said...

o.k. so now I want mini meatloves AND Del Taco. :) I wish I had half of your energy, Miss Prudy! I think we'll be your way next spring - or maybe you could find a cooking contest in my neck of the woods! :)

Prudy said...

Tanj-If you'll just get here I'll make you the meat loaves and pick up Del Taco and Tito to boot. Spring it is!

Katie and Mark said...

Oh yummy! I have the mashed potatoes already on the menu for tonight, but now I want meatloaf instead of my original idea.

Del Tace sounds pretty good for lunch! It would be my salad I had planned. :)

Catherine said...

I'm going to the Del Taco next week, just so I can meet Tito. =D You were amazing on Studio 5.

Adrienne said...

I loved seeing you on that clip! I have been intimidated by making donuts, but now I think I'll try it. I'm gonna be crazy and give 3 shakes of nutmeg! Also, you need to do a post on how you stay so trim while making all this great food...

Michal said...

Love meatloaf! We just had it Sunday. Even my hamburgertarian managed to choke it down.

I have never thought about mini loaf pans, but I love how that speeds up the process. We'll do that next time.

I'm off to watch your clip! I already know it was wonderful, but watching it will make me miss you.

vanillasugarblog said...

erin you have to try a root beer glaze. oh it is so good. i need to do a post on that soon. but you just reduce some root beer down with a hint of ketchup. so so good.

Tracy said...

Gotta love a guy like Tito. My mom used to make mini meatloaves. I'll have to revisit them.