My Mom's Meatloaf

This meatloaf recipe has an unusual ingredient in it - applesauce. You cannot taste it, but the applesauce keeps the meatloaf moist. This recipe makes great meatloaf sandwiches.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup green and/or red peppers, chopped fine
• 1/2 cup onions, chopped fine
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 3/4 - 1 cup dry oatmeal
• 2 lb. meatloaf mix or lean ground beef or turkey
• 1 - 2 Tbsp. horseradish (optional)
• Tabasco sauce, to taste (optional)

Optional Topping:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. horseradish
• 2 Tbsp. horseradish or regular mustard
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a jelly-roll pan with foil for easy clean-up. Spray with vegetable spray or grease slightly.

Cook or partially cook vegetables in microwave, cool. This is a my personal preference.

Combine all but ground meat. Let stand for about 5 minutes so the oatmeal can absorb the flavors. Add meat; mix gently.

Place meatloaf mixture on pan. Shape gently but firmly into a loaf shape.

Bake for one hour or until internal temperature is 155 degrees F Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Whisk together optional topping ingredients. Top meatloaf and the sides with one-half of mix before baking. Top with remaining mix ten minutes before meatloaf is done.

Suggestions:

I usually double the recipe and make two meatloaves and bake them side by side in the pan.

You can top the meatloaf with slices of bacon before baking.

Recently I have been using my small food processor to make a thick paste out of the cooked vegetables and then mix in the applesauce, egg, and spices. I add this to the oatmeal; allowing it to stand for five minutes. Gently mix in the ground meat. My family prefers it this way now.

By it's.only.me from NE PA / USA