In the interest of full disclosure, I have a confession to make. When I went to cook my dinner last night, I found that I only had 14 coals left. That is just not enough to cook a 2 1/2 lb meatloaf for an hour. So, in my shame, I had to cook this, in my dutch oven, in my oven. For some reason, cooking dinner wasn't as much fun. It almost seemed a drudgery. So I am off to the store this morning so we can kick Old Mother Hubbard out of the house, and get back to some real cast iron cooking.I also have to let you know, that Kingsford charcoal and I are making amends. I'm swallowing my pride, eating some crow and buying another bag today. I have two reasons for doing this. First, if I want to enter a cook off this summer, I better learn to use Kingsford. And second, as I thought about it, I think I let the frustration and my inexperience cloud my judgment. I'll let you know how it all works out after I've used a bag or two!
On to today's recipe! This is probably a recipe everyone already has, but since there wasn't much left in my fridge, this is what you get. The meatloaf recipe is off the back of a box of Lipton Onion Soup, and I dressed it up with the toppings.
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
12" dutch oven
1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix
2 lbs. ground beef
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs (I used oatmeal)
2 eggs
3/4 cup water (I used milk)
1/3 cup ketchup
6 bacon strips
BBQ sauce or ketchup
cheddar cheese
caramelized onions (french fried would work too)
In a large bowl, combine the soup mix, beef, bread crumbs, eggs, water and 1/3 cup ketchup. Mix well. Form into a loaf and put inside your dutch oven. Top with bacon strips. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes. Top meatloaf with BBQ sauce or ketchup, cheese and onions and bake 10 minutes more or until meat is cooked through. Serves 8.
The Finished Product
Sorry, I started cutting into it before I remembered to take a pic!
The Review
What is it about bacon that makes everything better? This is the first time I've put bacon on meatloaf, and it won't be the last! I've tried a lot of meatloaf recipes, and with the exception of the spinach stuffed one I did a while back, this is my favorite. Even my kids liked it, and thats saying something. This was a huge loaf, and even though there wasn't a bite left, the kids were still asking for more. I think this will have to be my go to recipe for meatloaf. Grade A-.
You mention if you want to do cook-offs that you need to get used to Kingsford. What have you been using? As long as you are using charcoal, the brand shouldn't matter.
ReplyDeleteI haven't commented in a while... but I sure do love reading your daily adventures. Maybe you should include a link to PayPal for donations? Every dollar counts when buying all that charcoal.
Hi Ranes! I haven't heard from you--I though you were MIA.
ReplyDeleteI have been using Sam's Choice from walmart. I haven't had any problems with it, but it does cook a little differently than Kingsford. For one, it is about twice the size of Kingsford, and I swear it burns hotter. I just used Kingsford today for the first time since February, I'll let everyone know what differences I find, and what I like best.
I hadn't thought about a pay pal link, but I really hate begging! :) But I am going through a LOT of charcoal!
This meal went over well at my house. I thought it was going to make quite a bit, but between the four of us I barely had any for leftovers. Guess that's a good sign. Keep 'em comin!.. this is my second meal ever in a DO, and the first was my anonymous post on the Monterrey Chicken. I find that your recipes are better than the cookbook I bought! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I'm glad you are having success with the recipes, I sweat bullets over what to post. Keep cooking, it only gets easier and more fun! As soon as the rain stops I'm going to try a crepe cake! I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteToni,
ReplyDeleteCome to Carson City June 11 12 and 13 and do your blog ad a demo! then on Sunday you can cook in the cook off! You can camp all 3 days with us if you and your family would like to!
pm me for more info
Dave
I made this last night it was fantastic!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have this in the oven right now. I tried it in the Dutch oven but burnt it. My first time using a Dutch Oven! It smelled sooo good!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it as much as we did!
DeleteGreat meal!
ReplyDelete