Create-Your-Own Meat Loaf

Our main dish last night is a recipe from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that my in-laws got us as a wedding gift. This has been a tried and true recipe for almost 16 years now. Yum!

Create-Your-Own Meat Loaf

Ingredients:

1 beaten egg
3/4 cuup soft bread crumbs (1 slice) or 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk, beer, apple juice, or water
1/4 cup finely chopped celery or green pepper, or shredded carrot; or one 2 oz can mushrooms, drained & chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons snipped parsley (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried sage, thyme, basil, or oregano, crushed; or dried dillweed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 lb ground beef or ground lamb
2 tablespoons bottled barbecue sauce, chili sauce, or catsup

Directions:

Preheat to 350F. In a mixing bowl combine egg; bread crumbs;  milk; onion; celery and parsley, if desired; herb; salt; and pepper. Add ground meat and mix well. In a shallow baking dish pat mixture into a 7 x 3 x 2 inch loaf. Or, shape into a circle with a 6-inch diameter. Foram a 2 inch-diameter hole in the center of the circle.

Bake in a 350F oven for 45-50 minutes for the loaf (25 to 30 minutes for the ring)  or till no pink remains. Transfer to a serving plate. Spoon barbecue sauce over meat. Makes 4 servings.