Lately, I have put a lot of thought into legacy. It may have a bit to do with my obsession with watching Long Lost Family on TLC. My mom is all about our ancestry, and has tracked back our families to the beginning of the revolutionary war. One of my great great great great greats served with George Washington. I think that is pretty amazing! I think about my “great” and his wife. She was a military spouse too, just like me! I think about the fear she must have felt in her own homeland. But then, I also think about how proud she must have been that her husband was fighting for freedom. I totally relate, because I am pretty proud of my husband who serves.
We all have a history. I still regret not spending time in the kitchen with the only grandmother I ever had. I can still taste her green beans cooked in fat back. Yes, I said fat back! I wonder what her mom taught her about food. I have the best memories of being in the garden with my Granny. I always snapped peas with her. My favorite was going to pick wild muscadines to make jelly.
I was recently talking with my mom about her mom (whom I never met) and what she liked to cook. I was surprised to learn she loved her pressure cooker. My mom has never used a pressure cooker! She told me they always scared her! Now, when I use my Instant Pot, I think of my grandmother Lena. I wonder what she was like and what I missed. I need to have more conversations with my mom about her grandmothers. I know there is a fondness for buckwheat pancakes, but this really has me inspired to interview and collect all my mom’s recipes for my entire family and put them into a recipe book for us all to enjoy.
This recipe is probably one of my all time favorites. It has quickly turned into one my husband’s favorite dishes. Even though I make it, I think my mom’s is better. It’s her recipe, but there is something about her making it that makes it magical.
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1.5 tablespoons dried minced onion
- 2 eggs
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add ½ can of the tomato sauce, eggs salt, pepper, minced onion, ketchup, oatmeal, and then beef.
- Use your hands to combine well.
- Place in a 9 x 9 dish.
- In the tomato sauce can with remaining sauce, add ¼ cup brown sugar.
- Pour sauce/sugar mixture over the beef in the dish.
- Bake for 45 - 50 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Author: Betsy Ramirez
Betsy is a registered dietitian/nutritionist, homeschool mom, & fairy tale junkie, who loves getting crafty. Being on my bike and lifting weights are my therapy. Thinking outside the box is my jam!
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