A number of people* have brought it to my attention that despite my claim, when I launched my blog back in . . . when was that? Summer sometime? Well, anyway — despite THE VOW** I made to blog four times a week, in the last couple of months I haven’t blogged four times a week. Or at all.

Here’s the thing. In addition to my awesome career as a blogger (does it count as a career if you don’t get paid?) I actually write, you know. Books. I have a manuscript due March 1, and if I had any idea what today’s date is, I’d tell you how many days that gives me to finish it. I know it’s not a lot.

However. Valentine’s Day is coming up. Woo hoo! So before I get back to working on my manuscript*** I wanted to share my recipe for Heart-Shaped Meatloaf. In truth, this is not really “my” recipe; I got if from Cooking Light. However, the heart-shaped bit is my own special twist. (My friends tell me I’m very creative.)

     *My sister

     **That’s me trying to get web hits off of people wanting to see that movie about the girl with amnesia.

***Or watching “The Millionaire Matchmaker” with my daughter. (Judge not: it provides countless “learning opportunities”)

Heart-Shaped Meatloaf

  • 3/4 cup ketchup, divided
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground round
  • Cooking spray

Combine 1/2 cup ketchup, oats, onion, parsley, brown sugar, salt, pepper and egg whites in a large bowl. Add meat; stir just until blended. Shape meat mixture into a heart on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Brush 1/4 cup ketchup over meat loaf. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.