Meatloaf Appeases all Appetites

Special Fork Facebook Contest: Check out our Special Fork Facebook page for a chance to win a signed copy of Melissa’s 50 Best Plants on the Planet (suggested retail: $35), courtesy of Melissa’s/World Variety Produce, Inc.

By Ben Mims
For Cooking Newbie, a blog for beginner cooks

Whenever I’m thinking of a dish to make for company, I always go to meatloaf first. Not that there aren’t more exciting things to make for dinner, but meatloaf is that perfect dish to make to appease all appetites.

On a recent weeknight, I was having guests over that all had certain dietary restrictions. One was pregnant, the other couldn’t eat spicy foods or dairy-rich foods, and my partner likes nothing but chicken breasts or ground beef.

Click to read more ...

An American Favorite

By Andrew Hunter
For The Family Table, a blog for busy families

For better or worse, we all grew up with a tradition of meatloaf at the family table. Most of us endured a combination of beef and pork mixed with dried herbs, fresh onions if we were lucky, and a thick blanket of ketchup across the top, which was the loaf’s saving grace.

Marilyn and I figured that we would continue the tradition with Ben and Nick so that they might pass it down to their kids in 20 years. The boys like leftover meatloaf better than hot out of the oven. I’m not sure why, except they get to take meatloaf sandwiches in their lunchboxes.

The version below is a starter recipe, meaning if you haven’t made meatloaf before, try this version. It won’t be as good as your mom’s because no meatloaf ever is, but it’ll be your meatloaf, which will make it better. The variations below are for when you feel like an adventure in the kitchen and on your palate.

Click to read more ...

Meatloaf – Because it’s Cold Outside!

By Sandy Hu

Some said that meteorologists, by just uttering such an outrageous prediction, would jinx the possibility. Maybe so, because it didn’t snow in my San Francisco neighborhood this Saturday. While we are disappointed that we didn’t witness an historic weather event, we are still feeling cold – for us, that is. And we, too, like the rest of this winter-weary country, are craving comfort foods.

Click to read more ...