Mom's Meatloaf turned Meat Muffins

There are some foods that are just comfort foods, no matter what stage of your life you are in. When I'm sick, my husband takes care of me like I'm a delicate and wounded baby bird fallen from the nest... But I always end up calling my Mom and telling her I wish she could make me some chicken noodle soup. From a can. Yeah..... I think fevers fry my brain a little.

And then there are the days that no matter what I fix in my kitchen, it either burns, is under-cooked, or is just plain nasty. And I try to make a PB&J, which always tasted better when Mom made it =)

I can't even make Mac & Cheese right... Kraft is impossible to manage. I've moved on to Archer Farms -- with their squeeze pouches of creamy goodness!

And then, my parents visited in November and Mom made us some of her Meatloaf! I have to say, BEST EVER!!! But, I'm proud to say... I've finally mastered, if not improved SOMEthing that I miss from my childhood. I got my mothers recipe, and spiced it up!

HERE'S HOW:
Turn oven on to 325.
In a mixing bowl, put in 1 pound ground beef.
Add one chopped garlic clove, 1/4 cup Penzey's White Minced Onions, a few really good shakes of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, ground chili powder, and a hefty amount crushed red pepper.
Add 1 large egg, 1/2 cup ketchup, and 1 cup uncooked rolled oats.
Just dive right in and mix it all together with your hands.... Unless your like me and you'd rather lick a public toilet... Then call your husband to mix it up for you... Or figure it out for yourself.
Pat down in muffin tins. Add a little more ketchup on top to keep it moist. And some sharp cheddar cheese!
Bake about 20 minutes. (If your oven is old and crappy like mine, then turn them intermittently.) Check inside one of them if you're unsure whether they're done or not... Obviously that's not professional, but I'm not claiming to be =)

Serve with Jamaican Mac & Cheese. Oh, what's that? You've never heard of Jamaican Mac & Cheese? Well, stay tuned for more on that later! (And no, it's not from a box... that's why I only ever make it about once a year.... =)