Signs of Spring and Manly Meat loaf

 Welcome to the weekend. Friday was warm and sunny, simply a beautiful spring day so I took a walk around the yard to see what there was to see. There are very few signs of spring and warmer weather yet to be seen. I had to remind myself it is only March and there is yet another snow storm in the forecast for the beginning of next week. Spring is here just not firmly planted yet. Let me say I am ready for the warm weather to grow roots and stay a while.

 Daffodils have to be the toughest flower out there. They are budding and blooming now and will stand strong against the coming weather. Never fails every year they are the first to peek their pretty heads out and they get snowed on every time, and they still keep on standing. 

The Rhododendron will be blooming soon. April and May are the most beautiful months in New Jersey with all the flowering trees and Rhododendrons in bloom. I don't have a favorite season but the pink and white blooming trees are my favorite part of spring.

  " What Was Dinner"? Dinner was good. Yummy good.  I made this dish last year and did a blog about it then as well however this dish is worth repeating.
original recipe blog
 I reworked the recipe to make it more chachijoan friendly but I didn't change the idea of the recipe at all just used homemade ingredients rather then jarred and canned.

   Meat Loaf Men Love
1 1/2 lb mixed ground meat ( beef, pork, veal )
1 small onion grated
4 cloves garlic minced
1 egg
1/4 to 1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 1/2 cups beef stock or broth
1/2 cup red wine
4 TBS flour
4 TBS butter
5 or 6 medium potatoes
2 TBS butter
1/4 cup or as needed milk
 In a large skillet melt the 4 TBS of butter add 4 TBS of flour whisking quickly whisk until you have a smooth creamy mixture in your pan whisk in the wine and then the broth. heat until thickened. Remove from heat and set a side. In a large bowl combine meat, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, egg, and 1 cup of gravy. Mix it all together if mixture seems to wet add in more bread crumbs. Place the meat mixture in a large loaf pan preheat oven to 400 and bake until cooked completely through. About 35 minutes. While meat is cooking peel and dice potatoes and boil until fork tender. Drain and place them in a large bowl add the 2 TBS of butter and mash the potatoes with a masher. add the milk a little at a time until you get the texture and consistency you like. When the meat loaf is done remove from the oven and turn on the broiler. Using a paper towel carefully remove as much grease as you can. spread your potatoes all over the meat covering from end to end. Place under the broiler until the potatoes begin to brown. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from the oven and let stand 10 full minutes before serving. While meat is standing remember to reheat the rest of the gravy. Serve and enjoy.

 Happy Weekend to you! Thank you for stopping by.