Diner: “Waiter! What’s this fly doing in my alphabet soup?”

Waiter: “Learning to read, sir!”

Chiles, garlic, pepper, mustard, onion. Classic Cajun seasonings star in this intensely flavorful and moist meatloaf.

The Salted Fan Potatoes are an elegant side to the homey meatloaf. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they are a welcome change from the usual mash or baked potato accompaniment.

Cajun Country Meat Loaf

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1/2 pound hot sausage
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup cooked rice
2 eggs
1/2 cup ketchup
1 Tbs Dijon mustard
2 tsp prepared horseradish
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 Tbs chili powder
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash of hot sauce
2 strips bacon
1/2 cup ketchup combined with 1/4 cup beef stock

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375℉. Grease a 9x5x3-inch pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, sausage, onion, garlic, carrot, red pepper, rice, eggs, ketchup, mustard, horseradish, breadcrumbs, chili powder, paprika, mustard seeds, cumin, fennel, cayenne, hot sauce, salt and pepper.

3. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place in prepared pan. Top with the bacon strips and bake for 30 minutes.

4. Pour the ketchup and beef stock mixture over the meat, and continue baking 30 to 40 minutes longer.

5. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan 10 minutes before slicing.

Serves 6 to 8

Roasted Salted Fan Potatoes

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds new potatoes
2 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs kosher salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375℉.

2. With a paring knife, make small crosswise cuts 1/8 inch apart in potato but do not cut all of the way through.

3. In a large bowl, mix the potatoes with the oil to coat. Sprinkle with the salt.

4. Place the potatoes, cut side up, in a baking dish and put into oven. Bake until tender, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Serves 6

Recipes from Nathalie Dupree Cooks Great Meals For Busy Days

I’m all over this song just out last week. Wicked catchy with a fun electronic beat, Glasgow twosome The Mouse That Ate The Cat have a winner of a tune here.

I’m not so sure about the band name, though. So far, since we got our kitten 6 weeks ago, there has not been a single mouse in the house. So if a giant mouse came and ate the cat, I’d be pretty peeved. :)

Check out The Mouse That Ate The Cat on their Website and Bandcamp page, where you can also get the music.

Cheers!