Not Your Momma's Meatloaf

What a weekend it was in my little neck of the woods.  Slow, relaxing, and rainy as all get out.  I mean, it rained ALL.DAY Saturday.  We get lots of flooding down here when it rains.  Lots.  I looked out my front door and noticed that my across-the-street neighbors were on their own little island.  Water was surrounding their sweet little house!!!  My husband was anxiously pacing around the house because our pool was thisclose to overflowing.  #scary

There was a river running through our yard and our neighbor's yard.  My boys LOVE it when that happens!  They love to take balls and leaves and anything else they think will float and then watch them rapidly swim down the ditch.  They were sick of being cooped up watching Mommy dominate our family brackets (WOO HOO!!!), so they requested some playtime outside...in the rain.  There was no lightning, so we obliged their innocent request.

What a sight!  These two crazies in oversized tees, Christmas attire, bare feet, and smiles for miles :)  These are the moments I live for.  

The sun is shining and the weather is beautiful today.  I have my doors open, my classic rock blaring, and I'm sipping on a new coffee.  Today's flavor - Guy Fieri's Hazelnut Cinnamon Bun.  YUM!!!  THank you SO MUCH for all your k-cup suggestions!!!  I wrote them all down and I'm ordering some and heading out to the store to buy a few more.  I also feel like I need a Starbuck's Verismo now (thanks Kara ;))

Now let's move on to FOOD.  My favorite subject :)  

I really need to start eating a bit lighter.  I do.  My pants aren't exactly fitting me like they should.  I love to "fluff" during the cold winter months.  There's just something about cozying up with comfort food when it's cold outside.  Now that the weather is warming up, it's time to shed some of that winter fluff.  But before I do that, I had to indulge in this.  Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf.  That Pioneer Woman sure knows what she's doing in the kitchen :)

My mom used to make us meatloaf when we were growing up.  It was one of the staple meals she cooked on a weekly basis.  I loathed it almost as much as the salmon patties and enchiladas we had to eat.  My sweet mom is an amazing cook, but I didn't appreciate her culinary prowess as a bratty kid.  My tune has changed over the years and I now feel like I need to have her over and whip up one of these to pay homage to those meals she lovingly cooked for us as kids.  

This is definitely not my momma's meatloaf.  While I love my momma's cookin', I need to tell you this meatloaf might be a *smidge* better.  Just a smidge, momma.  I mean, BACON.  Hello.  When bacon is involved, it always wins. #oinkoink

BACON WRAPPED MEATLOAF

via The Pioneer Woman

1 Cup of milk

6 slices of bread (I used Texas Toast)

2 lbs. ground beef

1 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

3/4 tsp. salt

black pepper, to taste

1/4 tsp seasoned salt (I used Lawry's)

1/3 Cup parsley, chopped

4 eggs, beaten

10 slices of bacon, thin cut

MEATLOAF SAUCE

1/2 Cup ketchup

1/3 Cup brown sugar

1 tsp. ground mustard

Tobasco sauce, to taste

Here's what you'll need to start...

First things first.  Preheat your oven to 350.  While you're oven is getting nice and toasty, take a small bowl, toss in the bread slices, and cover them with the milk.  The bread will need a little time to soak up all that dairy, so let it sit in the bowl for a few minutes while you gather the rest of your ingredients.

In a large bowl, toss in the ground beef, milky bread, parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt & pepper (to taste), and the parsley.  In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then pour them on top of the ingredients in the large bowl.

Now it's time for some fun, but first take off your rings.  But don't lose them (speaking from experience).  Mix the contents of the large bowl with your bare hands and keep on mixing until it's all combined like this...

If you have a broiler pan, take that out and place the meatloaf mixture on top.  If you don't have one, no worries.  The broiler pan just allows for the fat to drain.  If you're partial to fat, then place it on a regular baking sheet :)  Just make sure to line it with foil for easy clean up!  Now form that mixture into the shape of a meatloaf.  I did my best, y'all.  I'm not meatloaf artist for sure, but this does bare a striking resemblance to mom's favorite cuisine.  

Once you have your meatloaf shaped the way you want it, start draping it with bacon.  Mmmmmm....BACON.  Just place the bacon on top of the meatloaf and then tuck the ends underneath either side of the loaf.  Now place the meatloaf in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.

While the meatloaf is baking, whip up the sauce.  Add the ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and tobasco together in a small bowl.  Mix together until well combined and set aside.

After the meatloaf has baked for 45 minutes, remove it from the oven and pour about 1/3 of the sauce on top to give it a nice little glaze.  Then pop it back in the oven for another 15ish minutes.

After 15 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven and dig right on in!!!!!

I served this new take on an old recipe with my favorite tried & true carb...mashed potatoes :)  Just like momma made 'em.   I served each portion of meatloaf with an additional helping of the sauce.  YUM!

This is such a fun take on an old classic.  My husband has always loved meatloaf and I've always approached it with a bit of trepidation.  No more my friends.  No more.  I'm so happy I have this recipe now (sorry mom!!  But, I do love you!!)  If you're a fan of meatloaf, or notsomuch but are willing to give it another go, try on this recipe for size.  It really was easy to prep and well...BACON.  'Nuff said ;)