I must say, I'm surprised that there are no topics on food (except for the cale decorating, which counts more as art). No recipes, no discussions of what people like.

I was thinking of this tonight because I stuck pieces of cinnamon bread in my meatloaf (which also had oats, onions, celery, yellow squash and cauliflower in it, along with some thyme and Worcestershire sauce - no tomatoes in this one). Only one slice, but the aroma is heavenly and it tastes great, too. Anyone else have favorite meatloaf variations?

And while I'm on the subject of food, how would I cook a pattypan squash? I don't want to do anything fancy, don't want to stuff it. I only have the one.

Anyone want to chime in with anything at all food related?

Don't know about the squash but I want the recipe for the meatloaf!! Sounds great. My main problem is that there is just 2 of us, my brother and I. Finding recipes for two can be a pain. Also need ideas for lunches

Gennynut, I live alone, so my cooking is just for one. It makes 4 - 6 servings (bigger pieces than usual because some of it is veggies), but they can be cut up, separated with wax paper and frozen.

Warning: I liked it, but I wouldn't say it's awesome. I've made a few meatloaves that have been awesome. This was good, very satisfying, but not award winning.

Since I was experimenting, there's no real recipe. I used:
-- a package of 90% lean ground beef (they always stick in more than a pound, so it was about 1 1/4 pounds)
-- 1/3 of an onion
-- 2 smaller ribs of celery, chopped into small pieces
-- 2/3 of a smallish yellow squash, again cut into small pieces
-- maybe 1/2 - 1 cup of mashed cauliflower
-- 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
-- 1/3 cup oats
-- 1 large egg
-- the heel piece of a loaf of cinnamon bread
-- sprinkles of thyme

I sauteed the onion in a small amount of oil, then added the squash and celery. Didn't cook them fully, just gave them a head start.

I chopped up and boiled the half a head of cauliflower that I had on hand for 20 minutes (add to salted water after it reaches a boil). Then I drained and mashed it with a fork, then took some for the meatloaf and put the rest in a bowl in the fridge - okay, I ate some while I was waiting).

I beat the egg and put it in a mixing bowl, then added the meat, thyme, oats (the NON-instant kind, but I don't think it matters), pieces of cinnamon bread and mixed, then added all the veggies and mixed again, then put in in the loaf pan.

I put the loaf pan in a 350 oven for an hour - well, that was the plan but I forgot and was ten minutes late getting it out, but that didn't hurt it. The meat should be at least 160 degrees if you have a meat thermometer.

I've been adding veggies for a while now. It's one way to get them in painlessly. You can use ground turkey instead of beef, too. I try different variations from the standard tomato sauce based loaf.

It's fine cold for lunch, or in a sandwich.

I make a lot of bowl creations, like stirfries and chilis, and put them in individual serving microwaveable bowls, then freeze. These are great for lunches and lazy dinners. Just heat for 2 1/2 seconds in the nuker, stir and heat for another 1 - 2 minutes.

If you click on 'Back to home page' at the top of this page, and scroll down, you will find a section for recipes. I hope you will add your meatloaf recipe there. :D

I see you added the recipe while I was typing my last post. Thanks.

Oops. Thanks, Minda! Maybe one of our esteemed moderators will move this thread for me, please Patrice or Shadow?

my hubby made me a meatloaf sandwich with raisin bread. Not bad!!

you read my mind. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I love pattypans and I just steam them whole or roast in the oven with a little olive oil.

Thanks, Patrice!

Redquilter, how do you roast with oil? Do you pour some in the roasting pan or spray it on? How hot do you make the oven and how long do you leave it in there? And do you eat the outside or just the inside?

I leave them whole (you eat the entire thing), (if some are large and some small, I'll cut the larger ones in 1/2) put into roasting pan and drizzle olive oil over. Add salt & pepper if you want - I don't use salt. You can toss in some peeled garlic cloves if you want and/or sprinkle some oregano on top. Mix all up and put into 400 deg. oven till done the way you like them. We like them a little crunchy, but some prefer them tender. You can do the same thing with zucchini and yellow squash. You can make a mix of them. For a different take, you can throw some tomatoes in also - either fresh peeled or canned, chopped and some basil. If you do that and you want, you can add mushrooms, cubed eggplant, onions, garlic and red and/or green peppers. I first par-boil the eggplant and mushrooms and drain well since they have a lot of water in them. When I do it like this, I sometimes serve over polenta and that's our meal. Didn't mean to make this so long, or did I mean to sound like a"cookbook"! Let me know if you try this out. Enjoy!

What are pattypans?

They're a member of the squash family. They're small, kind of shaped like an acorn with fluted tops. I don't know if that's a very good description or not. They're mild tasting and not very common in most supermarkets. Farmers markets often have them.

Lisanne - I forgot to mention in the above "recipe" that I sometimes drain and rinse a can of white beans and throw that in at the end, just enough to heat them up. That also makes a good meal.

Minda, this is what they look like: http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...ypan+&aqi=g-s1

Redquilter, thanks for the additional details. The white beans sounds like the perfect addition!

Thanks, Redquilter and Lisanne. I think I'll try them roasting them.