A comfort meal: Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

I'm a big fan of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  I don't make it often because ground beef can be expensive, but on the occasion that I do make it I always make both, you can't have meatloaf without some fluffy mashed potatoes!

Meatloaf

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20, or 90/10)
• 3/4 cups quick cook oats
• 1 Tblsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 small onion, diced (optional)
• 1 Tblsp Italian seasoning (or 1/2 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp sage, 1/2 tsp garlic salt or pepper)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375.
2. In a large bowl mix together all ingredients.
3. Scoop meat mixture into a baking dish.  You can use a casserole dish, or a loaf pan.
4. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until meat is cooked all the way through.  Don't worry if there is a little bit of a pink tint (a tiny bit) because it may be caused by the onion and Worcestershire sauce.
5. Serve after cooling for about 5 minutes.

Mashed Potatoes

Recipe can be adjusted to your preferences.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium or large potatoes
• Whole milk
• 1/2 cup salted, or sweet cream butter
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 clove garlic, mashed or finely diced (optional)

Directions:

1. Rinse and peel potatoes (wet potatoes are easier to peel than dry ones).
2. Slice potatoes into 1/2 inch thick slices.  Place in a large pot.  Fill pot with water until potatoes are covered, but not more than just covered.
3. Bring to a boil on high heat. Turn heat down to medium high and boil for 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft enough to mash.
4. Drain water and place potato slices into a large bowl.
5. Begin mashing.  Add butter, sour cream, and garlic.  Continue mashing.
6. Add in milk 1/4 cup at a time while mashing until you achieve preferred consistency.
7. Serve immediately.