Winter In July: A-Genesis

Today is Anzac day, which means I don't have class. I love it.

I made some meat loafs the other night. I made a meat loaf using minced lamb as a base and it was the best meat loaf EVER! The kitchen smelled so good while it was baking. But don't even bother asking, the recipe is top secret. Speaking of lamb loaf, though, my mother told me today that her parents would be flying in this summer from FL to give us a visit. I know you guys read this so, Momoo, Grandpa, if I can find lamb mince in Springfield you can count on having a lamb loaf while you're here. The other loaf I made was a fresh spin on my classic "Bacon-Jalapeno Meat Loaf." I didn't wrap this one in bacon, but I added cooked pieces of bacon to the mince. After the loaf was all ready to go in the oven, I had an epiphany...

This next part, I dedicate to my best friend, Tyler Forster, my only brother, Nathan, my other mother, Jen Hartsell, and the girl who taught me the finer things about cooking, Alison Jenkins.

...I dug a trench down the center of the meat loaf, pinching the sides of the meat together until I had formed a trough. I then deep fried four rashers of bacon, chopped it up, and filled the trough. Then, I sealed the trough over with meat, slathered it with my signature sauce, and baked it off.

Another epiphany I had while writing this....what if I covered all my meat loafs in my Secret Sailor Jerry Sauce?

I cooked the lamb loaf and the bacon loaf at the same time, using the oven from my unit and my sister unit. Somehow, the bacon loaf got overcooked, even though it was considerably bigger than the lamb loaf. It hit 170 degrees almost immediately, which is tragic. However, after a long analysis of the meat loaf, I discovered my fault. I lived and I learned. Never again will I overcook a meat loaf due to such a mistake. And no, I will not tell you what the mistake was. It's a matter of pride.

I made lots of new friend, though, through my meat loaf making. And we devoured all (roughly) four pounds of meat loaf in a matter of 20 min. It was my gift to Australia. I still have two meat loaf recipes to try. One involves whiskey in a beef meat loaf, and one which involves bacon in a lamb loaf. Needless to say, I'm excited to make them both.

Today, my first action of the day was to make my Secret Sailor Jerry Sauce, which is a barbecue sauce, made from scratch, which involves spiced rum. Last summer, Nathan challenged me to make a barbecue sauce made from rum, and I did, and we've never looked back. This batch has a nice spicy kick to it at the end, which is new for SSJS. Grandpa Larry, I may have to make this for you when you visit in July.

Overall, life is good and I'm happy to be living it. I Skyped my brother a few hours ago (which always makes my day) and my mother last night while I couldn't sleep. So today has been perfect! I got to talk to my family, as well as have school off, as well as make Secret Sailor Jerry Sauce. Could you ask for more?

While I was having a hard time sleeping last night, I began planning my brother's 22nd birthday party. I see no reason why this won't be the best birthday he's ever experienced. For the past two years, he's made my birthdays the most memorable ones to date and I look forward to returning the favor.

The incredible Lamb Loaf