Thursday, June 6, 2013

Do you have a recipe for homemade meatloaf?

Q. I want to try different varieties of meatloaf, but something of the originality. I don't want anything that is too spicy (and I know some people like to put some hot spices into foods). Any kinds of recipe's for meatloaf is okay, but please make it easy and simple.

A. First of all, I'm a vegetarian. Okay, I eat fish, but so what! If I were to start eating meat again (which, after 15 years, is unlikely), there are two places I'd start: a Monte Cristo sandwich (frikkin divine--with mango chutney or honey!) and the meatloaf my mom used to make.

Actually, it was late in entering our family meal repertoire, and it was courtesy of the soup mix from Lipton.

I'm sure the Alton Brown recipe is fantastic. Haven't tried it, as Alton was probably still trying to be a cameraman when I last ate meat, but if you want to try the Lipton one (which looks dang easy), check the link below. I'm including a second link, which, according to a person who lost the Lipton recipe, is the first one he/she's liked since. Good luck.

Oh yeah, and stop eating that wicked meat. Unless you REALLY like it.


What Vegetarian Meat substitutes actually taste like meat?
Q. My girlfriend is trying to eat less meat and I found a recipie for vegetarian lasagna, but it calls for meat substitute. Does this actually taste like meat?

A. Umm no, she does mean girlfriend. I don't know if you've heard, but some girls like girls. =P

I've never found a meat substitute that tasted exactly like meat, but I have had some that are so good that you don't miss the meat. I crumble tempeh into my vegan chili and it provides the meaty texture and comes out delicious. I fill lasagna with mushrooms and eggplant. I maake meatloaf with a blend of blak beans, lentils, and rye. I've heard that seitan also works very well in meat-centered recipes, such as vegan cheese steaks. I've never tried it because I am sensitive to gluten, but I've heard it's very good and meaty.


What do you eat when your money is tight?
Q. Thanksgiving is around a corner, but my money is tight lol. What does people eat when their money is tight? I cook some ground beefs like meatloaf, spagettie, sloppy joe or humberger helper, but getting bored. Any other ideas?

A. Meat is expensive. I eat a lot of beans to get my protein with only enough meat for flavoring. These can all be cooked in a slow cooker while you are at work.
dry Navy beans cooked with a ham hock. cornbread
dry Butter beans cooked with chicken backs. slice of hot home made bread.
dry Pinto beans with beef ribs. toasted garlic bread.
Kidney bean salad. (1 can kidney beans, 1 hard boiled egg, pickles, & onion chopped, mayo)
Pork & beans made into baked beans with chunks of ham. and scalloped potatoes.
Refried beans and rice. add some shredded pork and you have a meal.

The beans are about $1. for a 1lb. bag which will easily make two meals for 2 people-----$.50 per meal....plus another $1.00 for the meat that is $2.50 for the beans, .50 for the bread and a .35 to add a potato...for a total of $3.35 for a meal for two of beans cooked in meat broth, bread, and a potato.
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Eat potatoes...mashed, fried, hash browns, boiled, baked, potato cakes, scalloped, oven fried, creamed with peas or carrots....
A 10 lb. bag of potatoes is $4. on sale for less. You get at least 25 potatoes in that for two people that would be a veggie for each meal for 12 days. (.35 per meal for 2)

Refried Beans Recipe
2 1/2 cups of dry pinto beans (about 1 lb or 450gm)
3 quarts of water
1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)
2 Tbsp (or more to taste) pork lard, bacon fat, or olive oil (for vegetarian option)
1/4 cup water
Salt to taste
Cheddar cheese (optional)
1 Rinse the beans in water and remove any small stones, pieces of dirt, or bad beans.
2 Cook the beans in water.
Regular method Put beans into a pot and cover beans with at least 3 inches of water - about 3 quarts for 2 1/2 cups of dry beans. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer, covered, for about 2 1/2 hours. The cooking time will vary depending on the batch of beans you have. The beans are done when they are soft and the skin is just beginning to break open.
Strain the beans from the cooking water.
3 Add the onions and lard/fat/oil to a wide, sturdy (not with a flimsy stick-free lining) frying pan on medium high heat. Cook onions until translucent. (Note the onions are optional, you can skip them if you want.) Add the strained beans and about a 1/4 cup of water to the pan. Using a potato masher, mash the beans in the pan, while you are cooking them, until they are a rough purée. Add more water if necessary to keep the fried beans from getting too dried out. Add salt to taste. Add a few slices of cheddar cheese, or some (1/2 cup) grated cheddar cheese if you want. When beans are heated through (and optional cheese melted) the beans are ready to serve.





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