Willie Had Surgery

Willie had surgery late yesterday and I was a nervous wreck all day.  They will call this morning to let us know when we can pick him up.  Then the real work begins.  I have spent days turning our garden room into a recovery room. One of us has to be with him 24/7 for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 months. We also have to keep a leash on him and around our wrist while we sleep because he can't be allowed to get up on his own. To distract me a bit, I cooked all day while I worried.  I made a meatloaf so we will have some food for the next few days.  I had an idea to cover the uncooked meatloaf with prosciutto and I will never go back. This is way better than using bacon.

I made some bread too.

But look at this meatloaf!

I covered the rack with tin foil and punctured it all over.  Then I laid down some strips of prosciutto and placed the meatloaf on top of it. Next, I covered the entire meatloaf in strips of prosciutto.

It crisped as it cooked and held the meatloaf together very nicely.

The recipe:

• 2 - 3 cups minced  onions(1 white and 1 yellow)
• 1 stalk of minced celery
  
• 1 teaspoon  thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon of granulated garlic
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
  
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup cream
• 2 tablespoon organic tomato paste
• 3 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)
• 1 cup plain dry bread crumbs
• 3 extra-large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon mustard 
• 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce

Mix it all together and bake it at  350 degrees for about 1 hour and 45 minutes or until the interior temperature is 165 degrees. 

I won't be cooking for awhile.  It will be all Willie, all the time until the New Year.