I know you might find this hard to believe but my children love to pick on me. Actually about a number of things but in this incident it’s my love for meatloaf.
We went to Profile Tavern in Freetown yesterday. My son, Hunter Braley, was singing there so we met up with some friends for a late-lunch and to enjoy some music. If you’ve never been to Profile Tavern I highly recommend it. The food is great, the service is good and the music ain’t too bad either. Priscilla and I have been there a few times and we’ve always enjoyed the food. Yesterday I noticed the meatloaf and I had to give it a try.
It was fantastic!
Check out this description on the menu: Bacon Wrapped Meat Loaf
“Bourbon black pepper bacon wrapped meat loaf smothered in a mushroom and onion demi glaze, served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and chef’s vegetables.”
The kids pick on me because I always go for a good meatloaf if I see one on the menu. I can’t say that I was always a meatloaf fan. I don’t remember my mom making it too often but she did create one every now and then.
When I first started cooking I would make a basic meatloaf. What do I consider basic? I would maybe add some parmesan cheese, an egg, and maybe some Ritz crackers or bread crumbs. For a while you never knew what to expect when my wife made a meatloaf. No two were ever the same. She would just look through the refrigerator and use whatever was available. A little salsa, different kinds of cheese, maybe queso. It was always a surprise.
Several years ago I found a recipe for Honey Barbecue Meatloaf and that is now my standard. It is tasty!
I don’t know when I started ordering meatloaf at restaurants. I know, it’s not everyone’s choice when they dine out but I have rarely had a bad experience. And if I’m in a diner……OH YEAH! There’s nothing like a diner meatloaf. A little gravy and those mashed potatoes served with an ice cream scoop. Bring it on!
I was talking with some friends yesterday while we were studying the menu and one admitted that she was not a meatloaf fan. She didn’t hate it, it just was not something she ever thought to order when dining out. She said she never had one she really liked so I told her I would have to make my honey barbecue dish for her soon.
I do think meatloaf has come a long way. As I said, I grew up with a basic meatloaf and then progressed up to my honey barbecue. And the one I enjoyed yesterday, as you can see from the picture, was covered in a gravy with mushrooms and onions. I think it’s still that “comfort food” we enjoy.
The idea for this column actually came from my friend Megan who was sitting next to me yesterday. As I was talking about my love for meatloaf she suggested I start a meatloaf blog about all the different meat loaf dishes I’ve tried. I even thought of calling it “The Adventures of Meatloaf Man!” Should I get a costume? A cape? What could my super powers be?
When I thanked Megan for the idea since I was searching for a topic for my column this week she just said to be sure to mention her in the credits so…… props to Megan!
I can’t be the only person who loves meatloaf can I? Hello? Anyone?
While trying to figure out where my love for meatloaf comes from I guess it’s just a comfort food for me. I can’t imagine there are too many ways to screw it up unless it’s dry. There’s nothing worse than a dry meatloaf. Maybe if you go crazy with the spices I wouldn’t like that.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m eating only meatloaf everywhere I go but I will admit, if it’s on the menu, I give it a little extra thought. If you have any suggestions for my great meatloaf tour be sure to pass them along.
In the meantime….This is Meatloaf Man signing off! Until next we meet… with gravy… and some mashed potatoes.
Catch up on previous Sunday Columns by clicking here.
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