Big Batch Cooking 103

Today, I want to give you a recipe for ground meat that will make three different meals, possibly more, if your really creative! Many may have a meatloaf recipe that has been handed down from mom so use it, but if you don't really have a good meatloaf recipe, this one is good. Even my husband will eat it!

This one recipe will make 2 meatloafs and about 8 patties that will make swiss steak or salisbury steak.

5 lbs. ground meat - I like really lean so there is no grease - I hate greasy food!
1 chopped fine onion
3 tablespoons chopped garlic - I use the jarred garlic, if you don't like garlic, leave it out. This is a very versatile recipe!
3 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs - I use pepperidge farms seasoned bread crumbs (they are in a bag)
2 tablespoons worchestire sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients well.

Shape into 2 meatloafs (about 1 1/2 lbs each). I make sure they will fit into my meatloaf pan. Place each one on waxed paper and slide into a freezer bag. Label with the date. When ready to cook, take one out and place into your pan. Leave overnight in the fridge.

Cover with aluminum foil. Cook at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 160 degrees in your oven, or you can cook these in a crockpot for 6-8 hours on low. I put it on balled up aluminum foil so the grease drips away, remember, I don't like grease! After about 40 minutes in the oven or in the last hour of cooking in the crockpot, take the foil off and put 1/2 cup tomatoe sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon worchestire sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie.

The rest of the meat mixture make into patties and place on waxed paper. It should make about 8. Wrap them into your families portions, I make 4-6. Place them into freezer bags.

To use patties, thaw overnight in the fridge or cook frozen on low for a bit longer.

Salisbury steak:
Brown patties in a skillet. After about 10 minutes of cooking, place 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 1-2 cups of sliced mushrooms into skillet. Cook, covered for about 10 minutes then uncover and cook for another 5 minutes. Serve with egg noodles and a veggie.

Swiss steak:
Brown patties in a skillet, place 1 sliced onion and a can of diced tomatoes into skillet. The diced italian tomatoes are good in this. Cook, covered for about 10 minutes and then uncover and cook for another 5 minutes. Serve with rice.

If your family are meatball lovers, this recipe is also good as meatballs. Shape them and place on wax paper to freeze or pre-cook them before putting them into the freezer to save more time later!

If you keep these items in the freezer, you'll always have something to put on the table!
Have a blessed day!