On Meatloaf (and Making it Gluten Free)

I found a recipe for individual meat loaf that I absolutely love. It is much better than the one I made often in the past before I went gluten free. Making meatloaf, especially gluten free, should not be complicated.

This recipe makes two full meals for the two of us leaving me with two leftovers for lunches. I make eight individual loaves with 1/2 the sauce recipe and bake four with sauce freezing the other four (without sauce) for the future. I will make 1/2 the sauce when I thaw and bake them.

Note: I do NOT use special baking pans to make meatloaf and have not for years. Ever since I watched a Good Eats episode on meatloaf, I shape and place them onto a baking sheet or casserole dish. This makes life so much easier! For easy cleanup, I will use aluminum foil. The special pans, which were a pain-in-you-know-what, are long gone.

Here is a partial ingredient list with tips and details. (Please go to the original source for the complete list of ingredients and baking instructions}:

• 2 pounds of lean ground beef

  I used ground chuck which was 25% off at HEB. I ended up buying another 2 pounds which I divided up and placed into freezer for future meals that calls for ground beef.

• 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs

  I used 4 C Crumbs: Gluten Free: Plain instead. I found this at Walmart.

• 1/4 ketchup

  I used Hunts 100% Natural brand. This is gluten free (with a chance of cross-contamination). A family I know (via a sister-in-law) with a child that must be gluten free uses this brand and apparently uses it often. This is also HFCS free which is critical for me too.

• 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

  I used Lea and Perrins brand which I know is gluten free. I get a small bottle at HEB.

• The sauce calls for 1/2 cup brown sugar. I do not use a full 1/2 cup as it can be very sweet. I use between 1/4 to 1/3 cup.

This is a versatile recipe. You can add grated carrots, minced or grated garlic among other ingredients (including spices) to the meat to make a healthier version.

Personal Tips:

• Do not over mix. That is a tip I learned a long time ago watching Good Eats and trust me, it is much better to not over mix the meat.
• Do not overcook. Use a meat thermometer to keep track of the internal temperature. If you overcook, you will end up with a dry meatloaf which is not very appetizing. At least, It is not appetizing for us.

A Week in Pictures (#20)

I feel like I am losing my touch. I have not been able to take decent pictures for several weeks now. I think it is due to the fact that it is winter time and I have not felt like taking pictures. Hopefully, my desire, and consequently, good pictures shall return soon. In the meantime, here are the pictures that I managed to take this past week.

Meadowlarks 2/1/2013

{To see a larger image, go here.}

I looked out back and discovered some Meadowlarks close to the house and decided to try getting some pictures through the kitchen window with my macro lens. The pictures are not all that great; but, because of these, I am really wanting a telephoto lens! I do have a better picture that I am saving for Macro Monday.

Monster Daring Jumping Spider 2/3/2013

{To see a larger image, go here.}

I was out removing screws from the cheap fencing right beside the driveway while Dan painted some casings for the doorways and windows. Let me tell you, that was hard work. Anyway, I managed to remove a section of the fencing while doing this chore and showed it off to Dan. We both agreed that it is so much better without the fencing. He proceeded to help me remove a tiny section right by the garage and this monster was inside that section of fencing. I mean, it was a MONSTER. I have never seen a daring spider that big. I would estimate that it was over an inch long. I felt bad because we basically destroyed her home in the process. But hey, the fence is going to be gone sooner or later. She better move along and find a new home. By the way, I am assuming it is a female because it was rather large and females are typically larger than males.

Closeup (Macro) of Yellow Wildflower 2/4/2013

Another silly wildflower showed up recently and I decided to try taking a picture or two in spite of the gloomy weather. I believe this may be a scrawny Golden Corydalis.

Blondies 2/5/2013

I meant to take a picture of the blondies I made for Super Bowl Sunday; but, I totally forgot. I decided to take a picture of what we had left today and then they rapidly disappeared. The recipe can be found here.

After the Rain 2/6//2013

It rained on this morning and both my cats loved being out on the back porch in spite of the rain and dampness. I spied this plant with water drops and decided to try taking a picture when the rain stopped. These kind of look like Bluebonnet plants (leaves); but, I do not think they are due to the number of leaves per stem. {I believe Bluebonnets have five whereas these have seven.}

A Week in Pictures (#16)

Gloomy 1/4/2013

The gloomy weather and dormant tree fit my mood perfectly today while I was out with Gracie. The only signs of life is the little bit of green around the tree.

Trim 1/5/2013

We found some trim that I think will work for what I have in mind for the kitchen…

Beaded Garland 1/6/2013

Taking down the Christmas decorations…

Profile of Gracie 1/7/2013

This girl was acting very unusual all day long. She stuck to me like Velcro and she lay down on (or with) me four times forcing me to slow down. Yes, I spoil my cats. In looking back, I think she is a sensitive animal – she sensed that I was sick and was going to be very sick. This picture was captured while she was laying on Dad's Lazyboy curled up tightly between my legs. (I often sit with one leg over an arm of the chair). I think I had Dan get my camera for me; but, I got to say that sometimes it pays to have your camera nearby.

No Image 1/8/2013

I was extremely sick in the night and all day long. I rarely sleep during the day; but, I sure did on this day. Gracie was with me most of the time. When I got up around 11:00am to vegetate on the couch and watch TV, she appeared approximately 10 minutes later and “yelled” at me. That cat fussed and fussed and then ended up curled up beside me on the small sofa. It was just too funny the way she hunted me down and hollered at me. I mean, she was LOUD.

Sad Gracie 1/9/2013

I recovered from whatever I was sick with and she returned to her usual self. When I saw her on this box while resting on the sofa, it made me think she looked sad.

FYI: It took her approximately three or four weeks to become a normal cat around the Christmas tree. At first, she would not even go near the tree. About a week later, she cautiously went to the tree and sniffed the branches. A few days later, she decided it was safe to sleep under the tree. In the end, I witnessed her attacking an ornament. I mean, she wiggled her butt, took off and “hugged” an ornament with her lone paw to her chest and landed on her side biting and kicking the thing. I thank God it was just a plastic Hallmark ornament. But still, it shocked me. She also played with the branches. She even stood up on her hind legs and reached into the tree itself. I am going to have to put the beaded and fragile ornaments higher up the tree. Anyway, I thought she looked sad that the tree was put up. Ha!

Waiting for the Dough to Rise 1/10/2013

We normally have pizza on Tuesdays; but, I was very sick. So, we had pizza on this day instead. I am still using the island to wrap my fabrics onto “bolts”. It is slow going; but, I am making progress.

A Week in Pictures (#12)

Source: iheartfaces.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

The View from Here 12/7/2012

{To see a larger image, go here).

Sunset view from on top of the house. I knew it was going to be a beautiful sunset and I practically begged Dan to let me get up on the roof. Yes. Me. Afraid of heights! Get up on the roof! He set up the ladder. I climbed and then crawled to the top. Ha! No way was I going to stand up. He was more than a little amused at me. It was a gorgeous sunset.

Shopping 12/8/2012

We did a lot of shopping on this day – running around like a mad hatter. I had coupons and wanted to check out sales. We needed stuff for the house. Etc. and etc. It was a very full and busy day.

Decorated 12/9/2012

I needed an excuse to make these adorable melted snowmen cookies. I’m a huge fan of snowmen. Today’s challenge gave me that excuse. These cookies turned out really well. And, they were delicious; although, just on the sweet side due to all the frosting! I wasn’t a fan of the peanut butter flavor; but, Dan loved the taste.

Stripes 12/10/2012

A Trio of Stripes – Apron, Oven Mitten and Bowl! By the way, one of the colors on the apron is going to be used on the kitchen walls.

On the Shelf 12/11/2012

I collect the Hallmark ornaments trains. The problem is I do not like hanging them on the tree. We put the trains up on top of the craftsman style casing (trim) in the kitchen. This is just temporary until we get the casing/trim up in the den (living room). And yes, we are currently putting up the casing/trim on all the doors and windows throughout the house. I absolutely love the look! What we currently have is unfinished as we also need to paint them.

A bit a trivia all of you: Chessie, one of our cats, is actually named after the railroad mascot of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

Sweet 12/12/2012

Mini M&Ms. I only eat these when I take drugs as I cannot swallow pills. Most drugs are nasty tasting. 'Nuff said.

’Tis the Season 12/13/2012

Luke 2: He is the Reason for the Season - not Santa Claus, not presents, not the tree or lights and not even mass. It's all about Jesus. Why did He come to earth as a baby?

Pictorial Monday: For Foodie Lovers! {Bread}

Way back in August, we turned the kitchen into a photography studio and Dan took all the pictures. For the life of me, I cannot remember which recipe I used to make this bread. This is the closest recipe I could find that matched the pictures. We've since moved on to making wheat and honey-oat bread. So, the original recipe is lost.

There are tons of recipes out there for making bread and they're all more or less the same. I remember that I chose to use active yeast instead of instant because it was what I had on hand AND I'm most comfortable with active yeast. We are trying to use instant yeast now that we have that on hand.

I also know I chose to NOT make it in my kitchen-aid mixture like the original recipe indicated. I just love making bread the old-fashioned way. So, I chose to do it all by hand.

Mix warm water and yeast per package directions

Add the rest of the warm water

Was this warm butter? It looks like melted butter to me!

I know this was salt!

Dump the Flour

Start mixing



Start Kneading

Two extra hands help!

Making bread is very therapeutic!

Dump in a bowl that has been buttered up or just use Pam!

Cover and set it aside in a out-of-the-way spot (I use the oven if not in use).
Let rise until double in size.

Magic!

Punch down.

Roll out.

If I remember correctly, the width is approximately the size of the loaf pan and the length is about twice the size of the loaf pan.

Roll up into a log shape. Tuck ends in.

Dump it into a greased loaf pan and let it rise until double in size.

Magic!

Bake until done.

Yummo!

Ohhh, butter makes it even better!

If I remember correctly, the original recipe calls for doing this several times. I only did it once. It's fattening enough! But, it sure does make the bread look nicer.

Slice

And, serve!
This bread is delicious and we made it several times. But, I have since moved on to making more challenging and healthier bread. I really really like the honey-oat version I found. I need to make it several more times to iron out the kinks in the recipe. After all, I am a novice baker of breads. Ha!

Update: A Journal of a Sorts II

First Update

• Tuesday, Wednesday: Struggling; but, did much better with Prevacid, which is an expensive miracle drug. I was thankful for Talking Tuesdays chat as it helped take my mind off things.


• Thursday: endoscopy procedure @8:40am
  
  I woke up early and started pacing the floor praying. Pacing seemed to calm me down some. Dan was amused with my pacing. We left earlier than planned and it was a good thing we did because traffic was heavy.
  
  When I walked into the place, I felt like I was walking into a factory for humans -- everything was so organized, sterile, and routine. They just gobbled up people and spit them right back out. Ha!
  
  Dan was with me for the whole time until I was knocked out. And, he was there while I was in recovery – exceptions were made on my behalf due to my deafness and extreme stress.
  
  I checked in and waited for a few. I was called and taken to a room and asked a bunch of questions. I was then taken upstairs to where a bunch of hospital beds were and was told to change. I was allowed to keep my jeans and socks on – I was thrilled with that! A man came in to establish an IV. I was so scared; but, I knew it had to be done. I told him that he might have trouble finding a vein and he reassured me that he would not have any trouble. It surprised me that he could establish one in my hand when I thought it would have to be in the arm.
  
  While he was doing that, two other people came in and started talking to me. I couldn’t handle it while the IV was being put in and I started to panic. I exclaimed, "I can’t handle this, I’m deaf!” Fortunately, Dan was there to take care of things and calm me down. Once the IV was in, they wheeled me to another room. The nurse then showed me I needed to bite on this weird gadget before going under as it would keep me from biting on the camera cord thingy. Another nurse set me up with a blood pressure cuff and a finger pulse thing. They had me lay on my side and then we waited. I was so scared the whole time.
  
  When it was time, it happened so fast! They shot me up with Demoral and I forget what else. I remember taking that weird gadget thing in my mouth and nurse tying the thing on. I was out like a light before she was even finished.
  
  I remember opening my eyes and immediately sought out my Dan. I remember seeing him walking towards me and feeling pleased and relieved. The next thing I knew, I “woke up” and was helped to sit up. Dan helped me change out of the stupid hospital gown and into my shirt. I was helped from the bed to a chair where I immediately got the hiccups. I thought that this was when I woke up; in reality I had been awake for 30 minutes.
  
  I found out much later that I was “awake” the whole time, talking, and taking sips of water. I do not remember anything! I don’t even remember the drive home until we reached a road close to home. Man, that anesthesia is bad stuff! LOL. Dan filled in the gaps for me. He even put on my sneakers and I don’t even remember how they got on my feet!
  
  Anyway, the findings are:
  • 2 cm sliding Type I hiatal hernia – nothing can be done except take Prevacid
  • Schatzki mucosal ring at the GE junction, treated with a therapeutic dilation using a 51F American Dilator over a Savory guidewire
  • Mild non-erosive gastritis in the antrum, biopsied
  • No ulcers were found
  The plan is to continue with Prevacid and have a follow up on November 16th. I still do not know what the cause of the burning/pain on the right side of my upper abdomen. I hope to find out someday soon.


• Friday: My throat was so sore. It hurt to swallow. A migraine hit me later on in the morning. I do not know what triggered it. I suspect have been the anesthesia and/or stress from the day before. Tylenol didn’t help (I can take Tylenol). In fact, it made me feel sicker. I instant messaged Dan and I eventually caved and took one tablet of Excedrin at his suggestion. That cut the edge off. I really need to find a doctor to prescribe me some Migraine medication.
  
  I was really tired with all the ups and downs of whatever it is that I have. Migraines (or anything else) brings me further down tends to sadden me. I have so many things I want to do and I am frustrated because I do not have the strength to pursue them. I was feeling very sorry for myself and feeling completely useless when a whisper of a voice told me that I could pray during these times and be a prayer warrior. Hmmm. Even down and out, a body can still be useful.


• Saturday: Throat still very sore; but, I was feeling better. At least, I didn’t suffer any headaches.
  
  I had a phone call with Mom. She actually called the night before; but, I was not up to talking. Dan called her back for me and talked with her. Anyway, she wanted to see me NOW and I felt so bad. But, there was nothing I could do. I live four hours away which is a BIG hindrance. Nonetheless, I’ve got to take care of myself first before I can do anything for others. I told Mom that I’d see her at Thanksgiving.
  
  She told me that a bag of her sugar free Jelly Belly were taken. I do not know if this is truth or not as she does tend to eat this or that and then forget that she ate it. Anyway, I told her that I’d go to CVS and pick up a couple bags of the sugar free Jelly Belly and mail them to her via Priority mail on Monday and that it should be there by Wednesday. She seemed happy with this.


• Sunday: felt more like myself albeit weak. With Dan’s help, we made the following:
  
  • cloverleaf rolls, which turned out delicious! If we have the time and inclination, we would like to make these for Thanksgiving.
  • Homemade Tomato ketchup, which didn’t quite turn out. Dan did some research and we decided that it was the tomatoes used. In other words, we need to use different tomatoes.
  • Mini meatloaves, which turned out delicious! The “topping” was a little sweet for the both of us; so, we’re going to cut the brown sugar next time.
  Needless to say, I was exhausted when I went to bed!


• Today: Third day of feeling pretty good. I met Dan for lunch at Wendy’s; but, I was only brave enough to eat a grilled chicken sandwich with nothing but the chicken and bread. I also mailed Mom her package.

My biggest worry is that the Prevacid is masking some problems. But, it’s a life saver for me. My upper abdomen on the right side is no longer experiencing burning pain. However, it does experiences twinges and spasms once in a while. The good thing is that I can eat. I am still losing weight; but, it has slowed down. Since this all began, I’ve lost 12 pounds. I still am not up to doing much including this blog. I want to get started with life again; but, I am forcing myself to slow down and take it one step at a time. To be honest, I just want to live in the sewing room for the rest of my life. Ha!