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Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Spicy Italian Sausage Meatloaf

Happy Valentine's Day!

While we don't have much on the agenda today (boo to Valentine's Day being on a workday), I still wanted to send out all the loves and hugs today. I will be taking a break from the kitchen today and we are having either Thai takeout or pizza. Something simple and easy. That way we can enjoy the evening together and not worry about the hustle and bustle of the day.

I don't remember if I told you all, but my only New Year's resolution was to be more adventurous with cooking. I want to try new recipes that may be outside of my comfort zone or a new take on a food that I like.

I have mentioned my Cravings Cookbook about a thousand times now. I continue to cook my way through it and I always want to let you all know what has worked and what hasn't worked for us.

Monday evening, I decided to tackle Chrissy's Spicy Italian Sausage Meatloaf. Now let me preface this by saying that my mom passed down her meatloaf recipe to me and I have been making it for YEARS. I love her recipe and there are only a few meatloafs that I have liked other than my moms. One is from a local bbq place that uses rice, carrots and other goodness in theirs. It has a spicy bbq sauce on it as well. Seriously so good. That is why this recipe called out to me. I loved the idea of adding spicy Italian sausage to the mix and having a ketchup and brown sugar glaze on top.

The recipe says it takes a total time of an hour and a half. I knew that if I started it right when I got home from work, I would be done by 7 pm. Easy enough. What I didn't account for was that I was missing the ground beef, that my food processor broke a few months back and all of the chopping it entailed.

I got everything chopped, measured out and mixed together. I put it in the oven at 350 degrees and waited an hour, per the instructions. The recipe also stated it would be done when the glaze had a slight crust to it. When I checked it at an hour, it wasn't close to being done. It took an additional 20 minutes to cook. And I was already behind from all the extra chopping, well mincing I did.

But when the meatloaf came out, it looked like this:
Spicy Italian Sausage Meatloaf

And Chrissy's looked like this:
Spicy Italian Sausage Meatloaff

Not too bad. They looked similar. Now onto tasting it.

Our verdict: This is the first and last time we will make it. Whomp, whomp. The first couple bites were good, but then it became too sweet. I am not sure if it was the carrots, the sausage or the glaze on top, but we didn't even finish our portions. I think the sausage added a weird texture to it and I would have just preferred the ground beef in it. Also, I would recommend using tomato sauce instead of ketchup on the glaze. It just didn't taste right.

But at least I broke out of my favorite meatloaf comfort zone and tried a new recipe.

Have you tried her meatloaf recipe? Do you even like meatloaf?

14 comments :

  1. I feel like my husband would like this (from the sausage standpoint), but not me as much. I've been cooking a few things from her cookbook as well and haven't been disappointed yet, but I will probably avoid this one.
    The cauliflower orzo salad was super delicious, btw!

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  2. I hate when a recipe is a flop but yay for trying something new! I say stick with the tried and true meatloaf recipe. Can't go wrong there! Happy Valentine's Day friend!!

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  3. I am a huge meatloaf lover so I would be pretty bummed if I didn't like this after making it LOL! But good for you for trying something different! I've never done a glaze on top of mine. I hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day together!

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  4. My husband HATES meatloaf and I have to admit that I have made lots of stuff that takes too long and isn't as tasty as I hoped! :) Good luck on your next try!

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    1. That is always the worst and definitely the case with this one.

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  5. I love meatloaf SO much, but I don't eat anyone's except for my momma's! This sounds good, but thanks for letting us know... I'll be sure NOT to try that one if I ever get her cookbook.

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  6. I've been on the hunt for a good vegetarian meatloaf recipe. My poor husband misses it... I can usually find something that is equally yummy. I need to start searching Pinterest today for that.

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  7. Eek. I'm not a huge meatloaf lover, but made one a few years ago that used Coca-cola. It was DELICIOUS. At least you can look forward to tonight - pizza is my favorite way to celebrate Valentine's Day.

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  8. I've never really been a big meatloaf lover. At least you can look forward to a night off from the kitchen. Hope you and your family have a great Valentine's Day <3 Beautifully Candid

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  9. That stinks it did not come out well, and all the chopping. I really want to get her cook book, and when I do I will know to tweak this one. Happy Valentines Day!

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  10. I've always been intrigued by her cookbook, I think I may pick it up.

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  11. Ohh, it does look good, but glad to know your final verdict! I make a specific meatloaf whenever I actually make it, but it would be fun to switch it up...maybe just with a different twist on this.

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  12. I'm so picky when it comes to meatloaf! My Nana made the BEST meatloaf and I've not found one that I like since.

    I do love to venture outside of my comfort zone when it comes to cooking, I just don't do it very often!

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  13. I love this meatloaf recipe: http://www.bybmgblog.com/2016/06/diy-cake-stand-sink-organizer-comfort.html. I would recommend cooking it a bit longer, I like my meatloaf a bit more well done.

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