Meatloaf Recipe

First Meatloaf!

I finally got a chance to try this Meatloaf recipe! Couldn't be happier to how it turned up: very tasty! Cooking is a great way to distress and change perspective after a long day; and sometimes, even when you have something running over your head. I guess it's because of all the instructions that come with the recipe on hand. Cooking requires following instructions, and expecting the end result to be the same as advertised.

I like cooking, but I like inventing most. So, I'm the chef that never follows instruction to the "T" as you may put it. I believe in surprising myself with different ways of doing things. Cooking will be boring to me if you follow every single instruction; it's an art. And art is never the same every time.

The next time you want to take you mind off whatever you're absorbed in, try cooking a meal for yourself or your loved ones. I promise you it is rewarding. Here is the recipe that I started with:

Pepper Jack Meat Loaf

1 lb ground beef, turkey or chicken
1 cup celery, diced
½ cup onion, diced
1 cup oatmeal or crumbled saltine cracker
2 eggs
2 cups pepper jack cheese shredded
¼ cup ketchup
1/8 tsp chili powder
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a loaf pan.

Mix meat, celery, onion, oatmeal or crackers, eggs together well. Press half of the meat mixture into prepared loaf pan. Place cheese over meat mixture. Top with remaining meat mixture and press down to seal. Spread ketchup over top of meat loaf….sprinkle with chili powder, salt and pepper.

Bake, covered lightly with foil, for 30 minutes.

Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F, remove cover and continue to bake for 20 minutes or until edges are bubbling and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Let sit for 5 minutes then slice and serve.