Sunday, September 28, 2025

Iron Skillet Meatloaf

 Iron Hill Brewery closed this week.

I never thought of using an Iron Skillet to make a meatloaf, but it appaerntly renders a crispier crust than glass, ceramic or steel.  apparenly you can also put it under the broiler to crisp up a glaze (which I never use).

I expect it will reduce the cooking time because of the reduced density.

Review to follow.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground pork
  • 1 LB each Pork and 80% Lean Beef
  • 1 medium onion chopped

  • 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs. 
  • 1 slice sourdough toasted and cut into small pieces about 1 cup.
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. 2/3rds cup 
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs. ONE
  • 2 tbls worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced. Coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. (25 turns of the mill)
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 6 slices bacon

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).  375 for 1 Hour
  • Prepare the meat mixture: In a large mixing bowl, break up the ground beef and ground pork.
  • Add the seasonings: To the meat, add the chopped onion, panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, whole milk, large eggs, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, ground black pepper, and smoked paprika.
  • Mix well: Using your hands, thoroughly combine all the ingredients until well mixed.
  • Shape the meatloaf: Transfer the meat mixture into a 10.5-inch cast iron skillet. Press the mixture down gently to fit the pan. Press the edges of the loaf a little lower than the center, creating a slight mound.
  • Add the ketchup: Spread a thin, even layer of ketchup over the top of the meatloaf to add flavor and moisture during baking.
  • Top with bacon: Layer the bacon strips on top of the ketchup, covering the entire surface of the meatloaf.
  • Bake the meatloaf: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it and avoid overcooking, as it can dry out the meatloaf.
  • Rest the meatloaf: Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes. This helps retain the juices and makes it easier to slice.


reduced ingredients

The Original recipe courtesy of 

https://sustainableslowliving.com/how-to-make-cast-iron-skillet-meatloaf/

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Updated Look

Started messing with another blog I have and realized how ugly and useless the old format was.  Should have screenshotted the old version for posterity.  More changes to come.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Brussel Sprout Summer Salad

This is a riff on the classic Broccoli Salad, without the sugar and add mustard.  Because mustard goes with everything Brassica. 

Brassica?

I had a but a small quantity of Broccoli and a larger amount of Brussel Sprouts, and guests en route.

1+ LBS (500g) Brussel Sprouts

4 strips ~ 1/3 LB (150g) of thick cut American or streaky bacon, cooked and diced

1/2 C ~ 4 oz (125g) of Good Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated.

2-3 TBS (30-45ml) of mayonaise

1-2 tsp (5-10ml) of Dijon Mustard (preferred: Trader Joes)

1-2 TBS (15-30ml) of Cider vinegar (optional) 

2 TBS (30 ml) Pezneys Northwoods Seasoning (subsitiute Cajun Seasoning)

2 TBS (30 ml) Olive Oil 

1 tsp (5ml) garlic powder to taste

Black pepper to taste. No salt should be needed b/c Bacon+Cheddar+Seasoning)


If the Brussel Sprouts are the size of my thumb, quarter them, if they are smaller, halve them.

Toss the Sprouts in the oil and seasoning.  Roast the brussel sprouts on a sheet pan for about 5-6 minutes in a convection oven at 400f (200c) until they are tender but still firm in the center.  This may take a little longer in a regular oven.  Test with a fork.

Once the sprouts are warm, but no longer hot, put them in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir with a spoon until thouroughly mixed.

Serve Chilled.

Optional ingredients:  Raisins; Cranberries; Nuts, Seeds.

My guests arrived, extended family, from France by way of Denver, CO. Their enthusiam for this dish was flattering.  It was a delicious complement the soy bourbon marinated London Broil.

 

 

Ingredients List

Most of my cooking comes from my pantry, or a local source.  But sometimes I have to resort to Amazon because my local source goes away.  

I am not an Amazon affiliate so buying here doesn't do anything for me.  I couldn't figure out how to get the pictures in the blog, so so these should help you find them in the grocery store or market.

Laxmi Ginger Garlic Paste... I Love this stuff, discovered it about 10 years ago as I was touristing through a Hindi grocery store.  Provides mild ginger and garlic flavor to any dish, dressing or sauce.  Probably available at any Indian / Pakistani grocery, and there are other brands.  

I get mine in Claymont:  Indian Bazaar Claymont

But you can get it on Amazon:  Laxmi Traditional Indian Ginger Garlic Cooking Paste

I can find Siracha and Garlic Chili Paste in my regular grocery now, but I couldn't 20 years ago 

Both can be found at Amazon too, with pictures.

We refer to this as Red Cock sauce:  Huy Fong Hot Chili Sauce - Sriracha

Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce





Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Asian Slaw

Just like Asian Noodle Salad, but without the peanut butter.


Asian Slaw


4 Cups of chopped Red Cabbage
1/2 Chopped Red Onion.



1/4 C Soy Sauce
4 TBS Laxmi Garlic Ginger Paste
2-4 TBS Rice Vinegar (plain or seasoned)
2 TBS+ Sesame Oil
1 TBS Canola or other light oil
1 tsp garlic powder to taste 
1/2 - 1 tsp Siracha or Chili Paste to Taste










Whisk all of the above over the saladCover the container and shake to integrate.


Flavor Additions:
Raisins
Cranberries
grated carrots
sliced radishes
Sesame Sticks
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Broken ramen Noodles



Asian Noodle Salad II

Asian Noodle Salad Dressing 2023


1 LB Whole Wheat Pasta 
1/4 C Soy Sauce
4 TBS Laxmi Garlic Ginger Paste
2-4 TBS Rice Vinegar (plain or seasoned)
2 TBS+ Sesame Oil
1 TBS Canola or other light oil
1 tsp garlic powder to taste 
1/2 - 1 tsp Siracha or Chili Paste to Taste

3-4 TBS Peanut butter microwaved for 30 sec to make spreadable

Whisk all of the above except peanut butter.

Cook the noodles, drain and return to pot.  
Mix in the heated peanut butter.   
Pour the dressing into the pot, stirring regularly.
You can also cover the pot and shake the noodles, but the may bruise the noodles.  

Serve warm or chill.

Flavor Additions:

Sesame Sticks
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Broken peanuts
Broken cashews
Broken ramen Noodles
Pine nuts

Raisins
Cranberries
Mandarin orange slices
Bean sprouts

fresh cilantro 
fresh basil

lime juice and or lime wedge for garnish 
shredded cabbage
shredded broccoli
grated carrots
sliced radishes

2015 Version 
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1033906941323110634/1126991835702011481

Monday, April 10, 2023

Sauerkraut? Oh! No Sauerkraut and Kielbasa

 Forgot to get Kraut for the Easter Kielbasa.  My wife asked how to spell that and I told her it's Mexican: Qi le Basa.

1/2 head of cabbage, Slice the cabbage 1/4 inch thick
2 strips of bacon or 2 cooked slices cut into 1/2 inch pieces + 1 TBS Bacon grease 
1/2 tart apple sliced 1/8 inch thin
2 medium carrots diced (mainly for color)
1/2 medium onion, sliced thin
3-4 garlic cloves smashed or diced.
1/4 Cider vinegar
1 TBS Bavarian Blend (Penzy's)
1 tsp coarse ground mustard from a Hindustani grocery  (NOT Colemans or powdered muster)

fry the bacon and set aside.  if cooking kielbasa, brown the kielbasa in the bacon grease
Add the remaining ingredients, EXCEPT the cider and saute for 3-4 minutes.  
Add the cider to deglaze, and bring to a simmer. 
Cover and simmer for 35 - 45 minutes until vegetables are tender and the meat is 160 F