When I was a kid, my mom only made meatloaf occasionally. It wasn't in the regular dinner rotation and so when we heard it was on the menu, instead of complaining (ala Randy in A Christmas Story, singing-songing "Meat-loaf, beet-loaf, I hate meat-loat."*) we'd celebrate. My mom made good meatloaf, filled with grated carrots and potatoes, seasoned with spaghetti sauce spices and baked in a white stoneware loaf pan (also the vessel for many a loaf of banana bread). It was the kind of meatloaf that got even better the next day and made a really excellent sandwich.
Serious Eats has declared October 18th National Meatloaf Appreciation Day. They are inviting everyone to participate in the festivities. It's easy to be involved in the celebration. All you have to do is make a meatloaf before October 16th and take a picture of your creation. If you have a blog, post the picture and recipe and send the link to the folks at SE. If you're not the blogging sort, send the picture and recipe to them via email (make sure to go over and check their post for the complete instructions). They'll put up a round-up of all the meatloaf creations on the 18th.
If you're not the meat eating sort and want to play along, feel free to whip up a veg loaf. If you need a little inspiration on that front, go check out the Magic Loaf Generator (created by Jennifer at Vegan Lunch Box). I'm planning on whipped up a meatloaf based on my mom's recipe and will post it here.
*If memory serves, this scene comes just before the one in which Melinda Dillon gets him to eat by saying, "show mommy how the piggies eat!" That line has become an oft-quoted phrase in my family, frequently used at times that have nothing to do with food. Ah, good times.
Photo link
New York Times Magazine's food issue
Chicken McNuggets frolic at New York City pet store
Eat your broccoli orbs! 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-22-2007 @ 6:03PM
Eric A said...
Best meatloaf I've made so far, I did with some dried chipotle and poblano then indirectly grilled it with a bunch of smoking chips. In the end, it had a nice pink smoke ring and really intense, smoky flavor. Maybe I'll make another for this thing.
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9-23-2007 @ 6:36AM
Angela said...
Yes, I have to agree with you, leftover meatloaf does
make an excellent sandwich. I like mine with sharp
chedder and spicy mustard on Texas toast. Yum.
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9-23-2007 @ 11:57PM
Tommy2 said...
Meatloaf has certainly come a long way since being that slab of ground chuck, that afterthought of homemade dinner entrees. This a meatloaf you can have Saturday night rather than Tuesday night.
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9-24-2007 @ 8:31AM
Michele said...
"Meatloaf meatloaf double-beet loaf, I HATE meatloaf"
But i do love the veg loaf! :)
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9-24-2007 @ 3:34PM
wynk said...
I've never been a meatloaf fan, but I finally had one that I not only ordered BY CHOICE but really enjoyed. Ted's Montana Grill (I went to the one in Carmel, IN) has a bison meatloaf that is UNBELIEVABLE. I mean, it is insanely good. I never thought I'd say that about any meatloaf.
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9-24-2007 @ 8:24PM
PHN said...
My favorite is the Italian meatloaf from Jim Fobel's Big Flavors cookbook. Beef and Italian sausage with whole mushrooms lined up in the center. It is heavenly. But, I still like a version of my mom's that I make using oats as the binder.
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