There is nothing like Mom’s Meatloaf or so I thought….and no you are not crazy. No you are not seeing things. Yes, this is my second post on meatloaf. Well not actually. This is just my second post talking about meatloaf. We are not going to eat another meatloaf. For that matter my husband will not eat another meatloaf from my kitchen for a year. Why you ask? Well I am about to tell you.

But wait don’t go, even though I am forced to talk about my meatloaf, we are actually going to eat Southern Baked Tomatoes with Crusty Bread. This simple aromatic recipe was just perfect for a light dinner along with a salad of field greens. But first the story.

Progress was made as my husband broke his wall of silence and spoke to me the other evening. I was sitting in the living room reading when he said,

Kim……….

I said, Yes……….at which point I looked up and saw him in front of the refrigerator with the door opened and my homemade meatloaf in hand. This was going to be the moment, when he finally came to his senses and said to me, Kim your cooking is wonderful, I love your meatloaf, you are utterly fantastic and I am the luckiest guy in the whole state of South Carolina, instead he said,

Did you buy this meatloaf at Whole Foods?

NO………..

Oh…………………

How can this be? My husband breaks his silence with nine words; none of which contain a compliment in them and should you ask how I came up with nine words, I am including Oh whether it is proper English or not!

More importantly, how is it possible that my husband a Meat & Potato’s guy not know my meatloaf? I have dated men for less than three months that notice that I have a quirky habit of only drinking a half a cup of coffee before I refill it. Always leaving a half of a cup when done. A habit that I didn’t even know I had till it was pointed out by an attentive admirer before I married my husband, he thought it was cute.

How can my husband who I have cooked for four years not know my meatloaf? The special ketchup sauce my mom created with the signature bacon draping across the top would tip anyone off that I made the meatloaf. This is a guy who has back-up ketchup in a few places in the pantry. Not to mention; when did I ever buy a meatloaf or anything else that might resemble a meatloaf, when I make a great, no let me take that back a fantastic meatloaf?

It is a good thing I have Scout around as my trusty canine friend came to the rescue once again, howled at least ten words, while he drooled before even tasting my meatloaf. God bless my dog, who has withstood some tough culinary pressure of late.

I am trying to keep some peace, to grow as a wife spiritually so I opted not to retort with a snide remark, hoping that once he ate my meatloaf his memory would be jogged or pried or something that would have reminded him whose meatloaf he was actually eating.

No such luck, not a word, nothing.

I am miffed; I love this man but let me tell you I am in big trouble. I need to find a crew to cook for and quick. Frustration between my husband and waiting for God is mounting; and my dog is gaining weight faster than he can run it off.

So what am I going to do? I must confess my first thought was to make another meatloaf. Maybe if I made my meatloaf day after day, he might figure out whose meatloaf he was eating. Instead, I have decided to go on a meatloaf strike. No meatloaf for a year. That’s right, he missed out because my mom’s secret recipe is tucked away for a year while I am on my Southern sabbatical. If he really wants a meatloaf I am sure he can buy one at Whole Foods.

As an extra measure while I am praying for my calling and other important things. I am asking God to please give my husband a new appreciation for food and what I am passionate about. Certain that there is not a prayer limit in heaven, with some Angel keeping score of what we ask for. I am pressing forward in faith with all my petitions to God. What gets answered, well I guess I will have to wait and see.

In the meantime, back to the kitchen once again, and perhaps this time as I try to find my way back home, my husband might find his way home to the love in the kitchen that he is missing.

Southern Baked Tomatoes with Crusty Bread

Adapted Recipe: Scott Peacock, Gourmet Magazine January 2008

1 (28oz) can whole tomatoes in juice

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1 medium onion chopped

1 garlic clove

1/16 teaspoon ground allspice

1/16 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

4 (1/2) inch slices of a good quality bread such as a pullman loaf

• Preheat Oven to 425F degrees with rack in middle. Butter a 8 or 9 ” pan with butter.
• Drain tomatoes, reserving juice, then chop.
• Heat 2 Tablespoons butter in a heavy pan, then cook onions with 1/4 tsp salt, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add garlic, allspice, and cloves and cook, stirring 1 minute.
• Stir in tomatoes with reserved juice, thyme, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and briskly simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile melt remaining butter and brush both sides of bread. Halve each slice.
• Transfer tomato mixture to baking pan and top with bread overlapping slightly.
• Bake until hot and bubbling and bread is crisp golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.

The next day, I reheated this in the microwave for about 1 minute to get it warm. Then popped it in the oven to bake for about 10 minutes. Almost as good as the first night. Made a great lunch.