Mom's Meatloaf

Mom's Meatloaf:

• 1 lb ground beef/chuck
• 1/2 large or 1 small onion chopped
• 1/3 cup green pepper chopped
  
• 1/2 sleeve saltines crushed
• ( I use fat free, about a cup)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 T. melted butter
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (I use Splenda)
• 1/4 cup vinegar

In a large bowl, mix meat, onions, green peppers, crackers, egg, butter and milk. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, 1/2 can tomato paste, 1/2 mustard. Form loaf and put in pan. With the handle of a wooden spoon make several holes in the loaf.

In a small saucepan combine rest of tomato paste, mustard, brown sugar, 1/4 cup vinegar heat and mix thoroughly. Pour over loaf, coating sides.

Bake at 350 for one hour and 15 minutes.

*NOTE* This recipe is also good to "use what you have". No tomato paste? Use catsup, then use less brown sugar. No onions? use shallots! no green pepper? try a red or yellow pepper! or spice it up with a jalapeño! The joy about my Mom's cooking is there really are no "recipes" just guidelines to follow. All measurements are done with the eyes!