Whiskey Spiked Meatloaf and Veggie Loaf w/Whiskey Gravy

The Boozy Homemakers booze up an American classic.

Meat Loaf:

1.5 lbs ground beef

2 eggs, beaten

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 large *on-the-vine tomatoes (or 4 oz stewed tomatoes, puree)

3-4 tbsp ketchup

½ cup ‘oven toasted’, old fashion oats

½ cup cracker crumbs (mixed grain)

4 dashes Worcestershire, Braggs, or Maggi Seasoning

2 generous pinches herbs de provence (or thyme/marjoram/rosemary combo)

salt & pepper

2 tbsp ketchup

4 strips bacon

douse in whiskey

cooking time: 1 hour, 25 minutes

oven temperature: 350 degrees

makes: 1 large loaf or 2 regular loaf pans

–       Mix everything together in a large bowl, except for the bacon and whiskey, save some ketchup for topping as well.

–       Place contents of bowl in loaf pan(s) of choice (we used a large Le Creuset casserole dish for our loaf which was 2 lbs ground beef).

–       Douse top of loaf(s) with whiskey (3/8 cup).

–       Spread top with a layer of ketchup.

–       Lay strips of bacon lengthwise over loaf.

–       Place in 350 degree oven for 1 hour, 25 minutes

*there is a lot of stuff in here

Vegetarian Loaf:

2 cups lentils, cooked

½ cup grain (mix or bulgar), cooked

Faux ‘ground beef’ (vegetable protein)

1 pack crimini or button mushrooms

½ red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

2-3 stalks celery, finely chopped

1 cup kale, finely chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups vegetable stock

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup oats*

1/4 cup bread crumbs*

1/4 cup crumbled crackers* (*you can use just one of these)

3 eggs, beaten

1 tbsp Braggs Liquid Amino Acid

coriander

garlic powder

thyme

rosemary

salt & pepper

ketchup for topping

3/8 cup whiskey

cooking time: 50 minutes baking + 15 minutes stovetop

oven temperature: 350 degrees

makes: 3 regular loaf pans

–       Starting with the vegetable stock in a large saucepan, mix everything together. Chop everything as little as possible for loaf to meld together well. Cook 15 minutes.

–       Place contents of bowl in loaf pans of choice (3).

–       Spread tops with a layer of ketchup.

–       Place in 350 degree oven for 50 minutes

Whiskey Gravy

vegetables (celery, carrots, mushrooms, onion, tomato)- cook down slowly in butter on low, add veggie stock, add whiskey, + flour for consistency, salt & pepper.

Thank you to the lovely Miss D!

Bourbon Banana Bread

Bourbon Banana Bread

1 stick butter, melty

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup of half & half with 1/2 tbsp vinegar)

1/2 cup bourbon

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 cup chopped walnuts

– Heat oven to 350, and move oven rack to the lowest position. Grease the insides of one 8 inch loaf pan and one muffin pan.

– Cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Add the eggs and blend well. Add the mashed bananas, buttermilk, bourbon and vanilla. Mix until incorporated. Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix in well. Then stir in the walnuts last, pour into your baking pans and place in the oven.

– Bake 8″ loaf pan for 1 hour, take the muffin pan out after 45 minutes. Test done-ness with a knife: if it comes out clean you are golden.