Positive and Negative Uses for Ketchup

Not all of the domestic applications of Bernoulli's Principle are positive. Give any child a full squeeze bottle of ketchup, and he'll quickly figure out how Bernoulli operates all on his own. Give him a couple years, and he'll discover if he jumps on a fast food packet in the parking lot, he can spray ketchup several feet... and most likely all over mom's new spring skirt. As exciting as it may be to use these opportunities to help illustrate characteristics of fluid flow, and the relationships that Bernoulli discovered between pressure, area, and velocity... odds are that clean up duty will take priority.

So instead I will share with you my favorite all-time use for ketchup, and it doesn't involve Bernoulli or his Principle at all:

Magic Meatloaf Sauce

I think my sister first learned how to make this sauce in her Home Ec. class in junior high. Maybe it was high school, I don't exactly remember, but I know my sister was the source. She started stirring it up on the stove, and it looked average enough... but that night we put a bit on our meatloaf, and it was fantastic! My family flipped out over it, and we never had meatloaf without it again. My dad made sure she would make extra so he could use some on his meatloaf sandwich the next day. It's three simple ingredients, but don't underestimate it. It's yummy!

1/2 Cup Ketchup
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Prepared Mustard

Warm over medium/low heat until it just begins to bubble. Turn heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes.

There are as many meatloaf recipes out there as there are moms, and I'm pretty sure this sauce will taste fantastic on all of them. (That's why it's magic!) But just in case you need a meatloaf recipe to go along with your sauce, here's a simple one I use at home. Serve with some mashed potatoes, peas, and a fresh green salad.

2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Egg
1/4 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Teaspoons Garlic Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder

Heat oven to 350 F. Mix all ingredients thoroughly, and shape into a loaf approximately 8x4x2 inches. Place in an ungreased rectangular baking pan, 13x9x2 inches. Bake uncovered 1 hour.

Remove from oven, let cool for 10 minutes. Cut into 1-inch thick slices, and serve with a bit of Magic Meatloaf Sauce on top. Serves 6-8.