Tonight for Supper

Meat loaf (recipe below), Mashed potatoes, Green Beans, and Plain Muffins (recipe below)

.

I am using the menu from Hillbilly Housewife's $70 Low Cost Menu for 4 to 6. I am doing this because, my husband has to take 2 unpaid days off a month, and I am trying to cut back on expenses. I know that this site works, because I have done it in the past. She has great ideas and the food is wholesome. I do make some adaptions with some of the things... like instead of white rice, we use brown rice (I know it's more expensive, but it's healthier) IMO

.

My Favorite Meatloaf
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup dry bread crumbs (see note below)
1 cup water or broth
2 carrots, shredded
1 onion, peeled and minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper (scant)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

I use a food processor to chop up the dry bread first (about 4 slices, toast may be used), and then follow with the carrots, onion and garlic. It can all be done by hand though. The crumbs can be made by placing the bread in an extra bread bag, use a rolling pin to crush the bread. The carrots can be shredded on a cheese shredder, and the onion and garlic may be chopped by hand. Put the hamburger, bread crumbs, water or broth, prepared vegetables and seasoning into the bowl. Start mixing and mashing everything together. Continue to mix and mash until everything is uniformly distributed, and the water is fully incorporated. Press the mixture into a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan, or any pan which will hold a full two quarts. Smooth out the top so it will be pretty.
Bake this at 350° for at least an hour, if the meat was at room temperature, 1-1/2 hours if it was still cold from the refrigerator. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes to firm up. Drain off the fat. Serve it in thick slices to hungry grateful folks. Serves 8.
NOTE:
The bread crumbs are not written in stone. Depending on what I have available, I have substituted dry oatmeal, cracker crumbs, and crushed cornflakes with reasonable results. Usually I use half crumbs and half oatmeal, but the best results come from using all dried bread crumbs. The main thing is to look in the cupboard and use what you have. If nothing else is available, use four slices of fresh bread torn into small bits.
.

Plain Muffins
1/4 cup oil
1 medium egg
1 cup milk
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder (3 teaspoons)
2 cups flour
In a large bowl combine the oil, egg, milk, sugar and salt. Mix it very well with a fork or wire whisk. Measure in the baking powder and flour. Mix again until all of the dough particles are moistened. Do not over mix. The whole thing should take about 20 to 30 strokes. Spoon the batter into a dozen well oiled muffin cups. Bake at 400° for about 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool slightly before removing from the pan.
This is the basic recipe. I used to make it every night when I was young and poor. It is so easy and so cheap and so down right good to eat, that it almost seems a shame to expand on it. I will list several easy variations now, and you can go from here in any direction you like.
.

These recipes comes directly from Hillbilly Housewife. I have to say, I use her site a lot.