Fall has arrived Down South, bringing with it cooler weather, vibrant foliage, and a perfect atmosphere for indulging in comforting dishes like meatloaf. The changing seasons and array of autumn activities seem to sharpen our appetites, making the thought of a warm, hearty meal even more enticing. Nature is signaling that it's time to cozy up with a delicious slice of meatloaf and savor the flavors of the season.

Minnie Glover was a treasured family friend who could cook anything from a Sunday feast to a workday breakfast. Her biscuits made a busy day easier. Gifted with wisdom, patience and good humor, she left me with precious memories and many wonderful recipes.

Minnie Glover's Delicious MeatloafPhoto byDown South Today

Minnie Glover’s Meatloaf

Ingredients

Meatloaf:

1 pounds ground beef

1 pound ground pork

1 Vidalia onion, chopped

1 cup ketchup

1 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

2 eggs

1 ½ teaspoons sea salt

¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Sauce:

1 ½ cups ketchup

¼ cup water

3 tablespoons Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Barbecue Sauce

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Mix pork, beef, onion, 1 cup ketchup, bread crumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Press beef mixture into a loaf in the prepared loaf pan.
Mix 1 1/2 cups ketchup, water, BBQ sauce,brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce together in a saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until sauce is smooth and warm, about 10 minutes. Pour 1/3 the sauce over meatloaf.
Bake in the preheated oven, basting every 25 minutes with more sauce, until meatloaf is cooked through, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing.

Wine: A velvety Malbec is wonderful with meatloaf.

Malbec Enhances the Subtle Flavors of Good Meatloaf.Photo byDown South Today