My favorite memories of Mother's meatloaf is eating it at Edna's Cafe in Cayuga, Texas. She opened the cafe around 1976, when I was about 22 years old and already married with two children. I can still remember my youngest daughter, Dana, playing in her playpen while I helped Mama get ready to feed lunch to some hungry oil field workers. She would cook enough meatloaf to feed around seventy-five men, along with potatoes and other fresh vegetables. These hard-working men left Edna's full and satisfied, so my wish for you is that you enjoy cooking and eating this yummy meal for yourself and your family. Remember, love is the main ingredient in making any meal delicious.
Mama's Meatloaf
Ingredients:
•1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20) •1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (I prefer Lawry’s seasoning salt) •1/4 teaspoon black pepper •1/2 to 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder •1 egg •3/4 sleeve of saltine crackers •1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup) •1 small can of tomato paste (1/2 used in meatloaf - save the other 1/2 for sauce) •1 small can of tomato sauce (1/2 used in meatloaf - save the other 1/2 for sauce) Directions: Mix all the ingredients together (I always use my hands - got to get some love into my meatloaf). Heat oven to 350°F.Mix all ingredients (except leftover can tomato sauce and paste). Spread mixture in ungreased loaf pan, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 or 9x5x3 inches, or shape into 9x5-inch loaf in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. (I like to use the iron skillet.) Cover with foil for 1 hour - or until thermometer reads 160°F. Take foil off and spread tomato sauce on top - bake uncovered for another 5 to 10 minuets for a crusted top. Sauce for Topping
Ingredients: •Drippings from pan •Mix the remaining 1/2 can tomato sauce & 1/2 can tomato paste •1/8 teaspoon of granulated garlic powder •Use seasoning salt and pepper to taste Directions: Cook on slow heat until sauce thickens and spread on the top of the meatloaf.
Love Tip from Jane: Don’t leave the meat loaf in the oven too long after spreading on the sauce because it will dry out the meat. I want you to have a juicy and delicious meatloaf, just like Mama’s!