It's Creepy and It's...Delicious!

It's October so I thought I would share one of my favorite ideas for a meal around this time of year. I hope you can stomach it!

Growing up I was a picky eater. Whatever you think of as picky multiply it by 100 and that was me. I am still picky but I have gotten better! My issue is primarily texture more than flavor. However, I eat so much more variety today than I did even 10 years ago.

As a parent we want to make sure our children are eating healthy meals and build healthy habits. I know first hand that this is easier said than done. I also know that sometimes creativity can make it a little bit easier. Creativity can be as simple as hiding vegetables in unsuspecting ways. I like to mix a can of Rotel in with the meat I cook for tacos, for example. They won't eat tomatoes but they don't think twice about a big spoonful in their shell.

Another way I like to have fun with a meal is with meatloaf.

Oh I have heard how gross this is but, uh, HELLO! I am a mom of three boys and I like to have fun!

First of all we usually use ground turkey as our meat of choice as it is more lean but it does lack some flavor. For my family one pound of meat is never enough because they just devour it!

Here's what I do. Sorry I don't have exact measurements. I just eyeball everything. I combine about 2 pounds of meat with some bread crumbs and an egg or two. I add some kind of seasoning such as chipotle, bbq, italian or sometimes just salt, pepper, garlic powder and worcestershire. I finely (remember I am hiding these things so they have to be small!) chop a green pepper, carrots, and onion.

Now, you can have some fun. Who wants boring old meatloaf?!?

I have made them as individual servings in muffin pans, in a big loaf in a baker, in the crock pot (which by the way was THE juiciest I have ever had)...and as pictured above, like a monster hand!

However you decide to shape it, I always wrap it in bacon. Bacon makes everything better.

If using a muffin pan I line the edge with a slice or I literally wrap the loaf. But when I am making the hands I lay the strips on and it ends up looking like muscle and tendons. Gross. But cool! Many use ketchup but we like barbecue sauce. And for fun, if making the hands, I cut a few pieces of onion to make finger nails which just adds to the grossness and creepy factor which all of my boys (husband included) think is hysterical!

We serve ours with mashed potatoes and a veggie, usually corn because it's what mine will eat (and I've hidden others in the meat so, all good!).

Watch out...there is usually a fight for the fingers.

Happy Eating!