LOVE-LY MEATLOAF

When I think of meatloaf my mind is filled with images of Fall. The fresh crisp temperatures, the changing colours of the leaves, the smell of wood burning, a cup of steaming hot chocolate and the warmth and comfort of a heated home.

For the past few years I have been purchasing my red meat at various meat and country markets. One of these is Carsons Country Market just outside of Listowel Ontario. The meat from these wonderful establishments is so much more tasty and price sensitive to what is obtainable in the local supermarkets. As a friend used to say, "Try it, you will like it!"

Ingredients:
1 medium pack of lean ground beef
1 tablespoon each of - Mrs. Dash Original and Grilling Blends
1 tablespoon of ground Tandoori Masala
1 medium sweet onion - sliced and chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes / yams
2 tablespoons of Panko crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste

Process:
Slice the sweet potatoes into three sections and boil in hot water until soft
Preheat oven to 375 degrees farenheit
Grease the bottom of a casserole dish with either Pam, Olive Oil, Canola Oil or Sesame Oil 
Combine the ground beef with the onions and all the spices
Place the mixture into the casserole
Mash the sweet potato and spread on top of the beef
Cover and bake in oven for approximately 20 minutes
Remove cover, spread on the Panko crumbs and return to oven
Adjust oven dial to grill and leave until crumbs are golden brown
Remove dish from oven
Let rest for 5 minutes and serve

This dish is great with a tomato based side salad, green beans and an ice cold beer

Serves 3-4

Enjoy the Love!

FISH STEW

Love from the Sea

As a young lad, being sick always turned out to be a treat.

How can being sick be a treat? Well my mother always cooked her special fish stew for me - and I loved her fish stew!! The fresh fish pulled out of the Atlantic Ocean on the same day that it ended up in the pot, the soft creamy potatoes and the beautiful cream based 'juice'. Other than being sick, life did not get better than that!

Fast forward 55 years - I am no longer a 'young lad' and I no longer have the luxury of the Atlantic Ocean and its same day delivery service of fresh fish. However I can still make the best of what I do have available by enhancing the flavours of  the dish. So sit yourself down at my table, take in the wafting aromas and enjoy the love!


Ingredients:
2 mackerel fillets without the skin
2 medium carrots - peeled and chopped into spoon size bites
1 red pepper - chopped into small slices
1 large sweet onion (Vidalia if available) sliced
1 large baking potato - peeled and diced
1 medium sweet potato/yam - peeled and diced
1 large handful of green beans - chopped in half
1 large handful of baby spinach
2 bay leaves
1 tsp Mrs Dash Original
2 cups milk - your preference of fat content
1 tbsp of orange zest
Crushed garlic - number of cloves dependent on your taste - but at least one
1 tsp of thyme flakes
1 tsp of oregano flakes
A sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat
Salt and pepper to flavour

Process:
Season mackerel with salt, pepper or the spice of your choice and set to one side
Place the balance of the ingredients in a baking dish (covered)
Place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees farenheit
After 35 minutes turn temperature down to 300 degrees
Note that the milk will boil so keep an eye open for spillage or burning
After 45 minutes place the seasoned fish into your dish
Cook for another 15 minutes and remove from the oven

Serve in a soup bowl with crusty bread or your favourite cracker
A fresh salad on the side would be a great accompaniment
Added to that a glass of ice cold semi sweet white wine and the  taste experience is complete

Serves 6

THANKS MOM!