A Midwest Success

The second dish in my journey and search for the best of the Midwest is equally as delicious as the first! Giving me one more reason to be a proud Midwesterner. Going in to this search for my favorite back to my roots flavors has already taught me some things. What I love is that, I've already learned things and I'm only two days and two recipes in.

Food does NOT have to be complicated or complex to be good!  The simplicity of the Amish Country Meatloaf is nearly unbelievable once you've taken the first bite!

AMISH COUNTRY MEATLOAF

- 2 Pounds ground beef
- 2 cups of butter crackers finely crushed (Club, Town House, or Ritz)
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 slices of bacon
- salt and pepper to taste

FOR THE TOPPING
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar 
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Mix the first 8 ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until well mixed.
3. Form into loaf or place in a loaf pan topped with bacon slices and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. While loaf is baking mix together the ingredients for the sauce until brown sugar is completely dissolved into the wet ingredients.
5. Remove the bacon strips during the last 20 minutes of bake time and then top with the topping mixture.
6. Continue baking for the final 20 minutes and then remove and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

I served this with traditional meatloaf dinner sides.  Broccoli, and mashed potatoes topped with corn. Another Midwest success! I couldn't be more pleased.

IEADTT