Valentine's Day Meatloaf

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces garlic-flavored croutons
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
• 3 whole cloves garlic
• 1/2 red or green bell pepper - chopped
• 1 pound ground meatloaf mix (pork & beef mixture)
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 egg

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup catsup
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine croutons, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and thyme. Add onion, garlic, and red/green pepper. Add meat mixture.
Season the meat mixture with the salt and pepper. Add the egg and combine thoroughly.

Shape meatloaf into heart.....put LOVE into it. ;-)

Combine the catsup, Worcestershire sauce, and honey. Brush the glaze onto the meatloaf after it has been cooking for about 10 minutes.
Add sliced onions on top, (optional). Cook approx. 1 hour - checking occasionally.

For the past 28 years, (haven't missed one yet). I have been making the same dinner for my husband, Steve, on Valentine's Day. Not sure how or why I came up with the idea but the first year I made the dish for him - it wasn't even about how it tasted as much as his laughing over why ANYONE would make a heart out of meat loaf! Well, I did and of course, as each year went on - he was prepared for his heart-shaped meat loaf and he will tell you each year it has tasted differently. I guess, like life - just keeps changing. :-) Enjoy~

Submitted by Barbara