Well, when you dont have a whole lot of money, sometimes you just have to make a meatloaf :P

BUT this is a bit different recipe you folks may like, so give it a shot!

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

http://southernfood.about.com/od/me.....r/bl91023a.htm


Yield: Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef, ground round
(used one package turkey burger, one package ground pork)

3 tablespoons minced onion, or 1 tablespoon dried minced
(one small onion, chopped, then sauteed then caramelized)

1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder

...skip all this, and just add your favorite chili mix!

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup cracker crumbs (used a bit more- about 3/4 cup)

1 cup canned diced tomatoes (if using canned, reserve remaining tomatoes for topping or another use) -did NOT use, but did put in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste

1 can (16 ounce) red kidney beans or pinto beans, drained, rinsed, partially mashed...I used a can of baked beans myself, still just as tasty- though if you use the regular kind on canned beans, MAKE SURE you rinse and drain the beans before you put them in the loaf- the salt content is a killer!

You can also use a can of chili as well, but thats kinda overdoing it :P

2-3 peppers, finely chopped (jalapenos if you like it spicy, though I still had some leftover Italian sweets and an ancho pepper from my garden!)

sliced pepper Jack or other cheese, about 4 slices, optional

(I used the ...*cringe* 'el cheapo' Mild cheddar cheese- you REALLY need a high quality shredded cheese with this folks, like Sorrento or something- anything less ends up looking like a greasy pile of yellow >_<)

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients; mix gently but thoroughly. Use a 2-piece meat loaf pan or line a loaf pan (9-X5-X3-inch) with foil; (skipped this- I just greased my loaf pan with a bit of unsalted butter) press meat mixture into the pan. Bake at 350° for about 75 to 90 minutes, or until done.

What I would also recommend is that you have a layer of parchment paper underneath the loaf pan, or a good bit of aluminum foil- this gets lots of leftover fluid from the baking, and may end up dripping into your oven otherwise!

Not ONLY that, but very carefully- with a pair of oven-proof mitts- when taking out of the oven, just slightly tilt the loaf pan to drain some of those juices into the sink- then let the loaf rest on a paper towel for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

Top with reserved tomatoes or cheese, if using...

Serves 8 to 10.

Think next time, I'll skip the cheese - I'll have to layer the top with BACON instead and then baste with mesquite bbq sauce, see how that works out :B

Oh well, nom nom nom!

Warning: contains eggs/dairy, bread, ...um...if youre allergic to about anything in this, well, just dont eat it :P