Meatloaf (Beef with Tomatoes and Brown Sugar Glaze)

You can make a great homestyle meatloaf and you can do it faster than you think. This tried and true favourite hasn’t met a pair of lips that didn’t like it and it can be made the night before (I think it has its best flavour then) and baked when you come in from work. Toss together a salad and that’s the heartiest of hearty dinners in under an hour.

1 lb ground beef chuck
1¼ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
½ cup onion, chopped
½ cup green bell pepper, chopped
1 egg beaten
1 (8 oz) can diced tomatoes with the juice
½ cup quick cooking oats

Brown Sugar Glaze:
⅓ cup ketchup
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C/170°C fan, Gas Mark 5).

Mix the ground beef, salt, pepper, onion, green peppers, egg, oats and diced tomatoes well. You may have to use your hands, but don't overwork the meat. Just until the ingredients are mixed in.

Form a loaf and place in a baking dish.

Make the Glaze: 
Mix ketchup, brown sugar and mustard together and spread over meatloaf.

Bake uncovered for 1 hour, draining grease away twice by tipping the dish and using a spoon or holding the meatloaf with a spatula and draining straight from the dish.

Makes 6 servings.