Those of you who think you don't like meat loaf, don't give up on me just yet.  Until I tried this recipe, I didn't think I'd like it either.  A meat loaf is like a gigantic seasoned hamburger.  It's hard to go wrong with it, and who doesn't like hamburgers?  Other than vegetarians, I mean?  Trust me, this stuff is really easy and really tasty, and you'll want to fix yourself some at least once a month to go with your Red Potato Salad.  For those of you trying to watch your fat intake, keep in mind that we're going to bake this thing, so all the fat will ooze out into the casserole dish, and you can discard it if you want to.

Medium maintenance

On the table

• Essentials
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Large mixing bowl
• Cooking spoon
• Rubber spatula
• Large casserole dish, with lid (for storage)
• Blender OR mixing pitcher and a whole lot of cleaver action
• Hot pads (near stove)
• Steak knife (near stove, for testing doneness)

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef, as lean as you like
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped (blender) or minced (cleaver)
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1/2 cup canned bread crumbs (or make some fresh by running crackers or stale bread through the blender)
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, crushed (blender) or minced (cleaver)

Directions

1. In the mixing bowl, combine the beef, bread crumbs, egg, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. In the blender or the mixing pitcher, combine the ketchup, lemon juice, onions, garlic, and parsley until thoroughly blended.  The blender is so dang tall that I hate to use it, because it takes all the height I've got just to reach the top of it, let alone scrape the insides of it with my rubber spatula, so I only use it for special occasions, like potato soup.  Otherwise, I prefer to just work with my cleaver.  You decide what works best for you.
3. Add the ketchup mixture to the beef mixture and stir it until it starts to stick together.  Now, here's where this recipe gets messy.  Wash your hands with lots of soap, and then use them to shape the loaf.  I sometime find it helpful to hold the bowl still with my bad hand, and shape the loaf with my good hand by pressing it against the sides of the bowl.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°.
5. When the loaf is more or less shaped, tip the bowl over the casserole dish and scoop out the loaf with your good hand.  Then, use both hands to put the finishing touches on the loaf's shape.  When you're done, wash your hands with soap again.
6. Bake the loaf, uncovered, for 40-50 minutes, or until it is brown all the way through.  Then let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes, or it will fall apart when you cut it.  Slice it like a loaf of bread.

Alternatives

• Add a handful or two of any chopped vegetables to the loaf during Step 3.
• Cory and I like our meatloaf served with a drizzle of ketchup.
• Meatloaf goes well with just about anything, but it goes especially well with potatoes.

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