ALMOST FAMOUS DAVE'S FANTASTIC MEAT LOAF

A little more and a little less than Famous Dave’s meatloaf recipe! This meatloaf is so good it will make you want to slap your mama! (That's what Dave said, Really!) Fantastic hot or cold, it makes the best meatloaf sandwiches in town... thanks Dave!

• 4 pounds of ground beef
• 1 pound of ground pork
• 1 cup quick cooking oats (I prefer the generic for this)
• 2 cups crushed Town House crackers
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup onion, diced or grated
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 eggs,slightly beaten
• 1 Tbsp. steak dust or steak seasoning
• 1 Tbsp. garlic/herb (no salt)
• SAUCE:
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup diced onion

Directions:

• Mix ground beef, ground pork, oats, crackers, celery, onion, heavy cream, eggs and steak seasoning together with hands until well combined. Shape into two loaves and place in large rectangular pan.

*** This amount will make two smaller meatloafs. I find it is easier in that when the meatloaf is so large, it is hard to get it done in the middle before the outside of the meafloaf gets too dark and crusty. A 12x15" Pan will hold two meatloaves just fine.

Notes:

I just love the smell of the house when there is meatloaf baking in the oven! There is something so comforting about the aroma!

Cottage House Mashed Potatoes

There are mashed potatoes... and then there are mashed potatoes! Thick, rich and creamy along with great flavor are what these potatoes are all about!

Ingredients:

• 5 lb. bag of red, or Yukon Gold potatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• chopped parsley for garnish
• use caramelized garlic cloves and add to the potatoes for garlic mashed potatoes!

Directions:

• Peel or don’t peel, and just wash potatoes (your choice). Bring to boil and cook until fork tender.
• When tender, drain and return to pan.
• Add all other ingredients and beat with mixer until well combined.
• Top with additional butter and chopped parsley

***  If you would like a quicker method for the poatoes, simply make instant mashed potatoes according to the box direction and when they are done, add the butter, sour cream and heavy cream and continue to mix with hand mixer until smooth and creamy.

Notes:

If you have been to my house on holidays... these are the potatoes you have eaten. My favorite recipe of all time. My family is the biggest bunch of potato junkies in the world!

Pan Gravy:

4 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped,
3 tablespoons (a handful) all-purpose flour
2 cups beef stock (more or less depending on how thick you  like the gravy)
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 rounded teaspoon spicy brown mustard
1 tablespoon steak sauce

After removing the meatloaves from the pan, add the butter and onion and saute until onion is tender, a couple of minutes. Add the flour and stir a minute or two and make a paste. Add the beef stock, ketchup, mustard and steak sauce. Cook until the gravy thickens to the consistency you like it.