Old-Fashioned Food: Tomato Sandwiches and Meatloaf

Old-Fashioned Food:

Tomato Sandwiches and Meatloaf

Sometimes the old-fashioned food from the past is a pleasant reminder that the world hasn't always been fast food and processed packaged dinners. While we all enjoy the convenience of these items, if we take a step back and think about it, we did just fine with real food.

This past week during the annual "Garage Sale" I participate in, I discovered that my friend's husband, Will, has been growing vegetables in his back yard all summer.  "Holy Tomatoes, Batman!" His tomato plants were taller that he was and full of tomatoes.  After plucking off the ripe tomatoes he could reach, he offered to make myself and another friend a tomato sandwich. WOW!!!

I remember not liking tomatoes as a kid - but luckily I've come to my senses and have learned to appreciate them!! There's nothing better than a good old-fashioned tomato sandwich made with 

fresh-picked tomatoes.

There are MANY variations, but as long as you have the basics - slices of tomato, bread, cheese, etc., you can create an amazing tomato sandwich.  I've made many tomato sandwiches since that day.  Next summer, Matt and have agreed to try our hand at growing our own vegetables. And then.....possibly some canning....Hmmmmm......

Now I have to try the cucumbers Will gave me..... 

SO, keeping in mind the old-fashioned theme, last night I made a good old-fashioned meatloaf (no, not the singer).  It was AMAZING!!! Every member of my family ate some - which is a rare feat in and of itself. I made a great big meatloaf and only a few pieces were left once everyone 

had their fill. 

Now why didn't I think of it sooner?

Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

• 2.5 lbs. lean ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 1 small onion - diced
• 2 cups skim milk
• 2 cups dried Italian bread crumbs
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 3 to 4 tbsp. yellow mustard
• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 small cans mushrooms stems and pieces 
• Optional: 1 small green pepper - diced
• PAM

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, milk, mushrooms, optional green pepper, and bread crumbs.  Use your hands to mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste, as well as garlic salt.   Spray a large baking dish with PAM and place the meat mixture in the dish.  Mold the meat mixture with your hands in a elongated oval shape.


In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and pour over the meatloaf and using a barbecue brush, ensure that the surface of the meatloaf is covered.  Add additional amounts as needed.  

I added more mustard, garlic salt, and ketchup over the top of ours - I knew my kids would appreciate the extra!!  I would have added diced green pepper, but I knew they wouldn't appreciate that!  Another idea would be to saute the onions in 2 tbsp. butter until they are soft before adding them to the meatloaf.


Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/4 hours or to your desired doneness.

 


NEXT.......Peach Cobbler. Stay Tuned!