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.


 

Comments

Marcia LaRue said…
The meatloaf looks so delicious! Now, while you are tethered to Willie, who will make sure you are taken care of? You are always cooking for everyone else ... who will be cooking for you?
Hopefully Willie will be a good patient for the duration!
I can smell the meatoaf from here! This is going to be a rough duty for you. I suppose Willie will be glad to have you so near and all the attention.
Mary V said…
Thankfully you have been through this before…but gee what work for you! Best of luck.
I hope Willie's surgery is successful and he will be a compliant patient.
bobbie said…
Hugs for you, and gentle healing vibes for Willie ~
Leanna said…
Willie will be fine. I'm sure he is getting the best care right now. OMG!
I never thought to use prosciutto for a meatloaf. That is ingenious! It looks so good!
Poor Willie and poor You! The coming months will be anything but fun for either of You but at least You know it'll be better and You already know what You'll go through.

That meatloaf looks delicious!

Christer.
DrumMajor said…
Oh dear, you'll be veterinarians by osmosis soon! Can you put Willie in a crate at night near your bed? Hope the whole home health team does well. Linda in Kansas
Marcia said…
Wishing all goes well for both Willie and you!
Megs said…
Get better, Willie!
Guillaume said…
I love a good meatloaf.
Unknown said…
Wow that meatloaf looks amazing. I don't dare show it to my husband. Looks like you have a couple months of hard work ahead of you. But knowing how much you love your pups, Willie will be just fine. He's in very good hands.