It has just been stressful these past few weeks as I battle with my computer(s). The much awaited recovery disks could not revive it no matter how many times I tried and so finally I had to lay it to rest. It seems like the motherboard was the culprit. As I did not purchase the extended warranty, it was not worth sending it for repairs as the cost would come up to the price of a new machine. Lesson learnt, I told myself I would definitely go for the warranty this time round. Ro-Ri San and I went to the store on Sunday to pick up a brand new tower but it was more anxiety than excitement. I have wasted so much time trying to fix the previous one and I just wanted a machine that was up and running again.
As soon as we got home, we proceeded to do the setup. About two hours into the installation the machine froze! Not to be deterred, we did a cold boot and continued loading in all the software, data, and hardware. It seemed to be working fine. The next morning, I turned it on and 10 minutes later it froze! Feeling a little uneasy, I brushed it off and continued to work. It did the daily morning freeze for two more days. The cold finger of dread crept up my spine as I realized that I had a lemon in hands. Here is my predicament, the previous and now deceased computer malfunctioned when it heated up. The new lemon could not start properly when the CPU is cold. Aargh!!!!! I want to pull my hair out! Wait a minute…not a good idea as I must look good even when frustrated π
So I carted the lemon back to the store and exchanged it for another unit. Now I am experiencing “madu tiga” (third honeymoon in Malay) and I hope this one lasts. Third time for keeps. I spent the entire day reinstalling the software and hardware. That was fun! Oh, this is supposed to be a food blog. Now where was I? Ah, back to the meatloaf…..
I made an eggless version as there are food allergies I have to deal with here. If you prefer to have the egg, reduce the milk to a ΒΌ cup instead.
Eggless Meatloaf
(serves 4 to 6)
1 Β½ lbs extra lean ground beef
2 slices bread, finely cubed (I used gluten-free rice bread)
1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 tsp dried sage
Β½ tsp dried thyme
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
Β½ cup milk
Preheat oven to 350ΛF.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour in the milk and mix well. Place mixture in an ungreased 9″x5″x3″ loaf pan. Bake in the oven for 50 to 55 minutes until no pink remains in the center of meatloaf.
Note: Cut into six sections and ladle onto serving plates. Without the egg, it doesn’t hold together as well but it is definitely moist and tasty.
I served the meatloaf with roasted butternut squash and apple wildrice. The recipe for the rice is similar to that of the stuffing in my Cranberry Wild Rice Stuffed Squash. I substituted the dried cranberries with one peeled and chopped apple. I also used apple juice instead of cranberry juice.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! π
Magic of Spice says
November 3, 2010 at 10:24 pmI have my fingers crossed for #3 π
This is an amazing meatloaf dish…looks perfect without the egg.
I don’t eat meat, but I do cook it and this is a great recipe to try for the family π
For me, love the rice dish and will definitely have to try it π
lequan says
November 4, 2010 at 1:19 amhi Biren,
i’m so sorry to hear you had such hair-pulling experiences with your computer(s). i hope three times is really the charm for you.
i’ve actually never had meatloaf before, probably due to the fact that i don’t eat much meat. i know a certain meat-loving hubby of mine (not that i have many hubbies…haha) would enjoy this. even though i’m not a huge meat fan, i do still cook and try different meat dishes for my family. i love your side dishes. i’d be satisfied just having those for dinner too.
Cristina @ TeenieCakes says
November 4, 2010 at 1:30 amBiren: I hope your computer woes disappear soon and that you’re having better experiences. Nothing, absolutely nothing more frustrating these days than hardware/software/internet issues.
I don’t usually do meatloaf, but this meatloaf I could like because it’s eggless. Nicely done! π
tigerfish says
November 4, 2010 at 2:21 amI don’t think I will miss the egg here. There are so many ingredients in the meatloaf already to make it tasty.
Cheah says
November 4, 2010 at 3:21 amEggless is good for a change! Hope you’ll overcome all your computer woes real soon!
Anncoo says
November 4, 2010 at 3:31 amI prefer eggless meatloaf like this one, looks so good with eggs!
Hope your new unit will not give you anymore problems and I think you need a good night sleep π
Biren says
November 4, 2010 at 10:02 amYou are so right Ann. I do need a good night’s rest. The dark rings under my eyes are becoming permanent π
Sonia Nasi Lemak Lover says
November 4, 2010 at 4:17 ameggless meatloaf sound healthy.
Julie M. says
November 4, 2010 at 6:24 amThere is nothing more stressful than computer problems. Especially when you spend so much time using one! I’m glad you were finally able to get it all fixed. Hopefully you will be good now for awhile.
This meatloaf looks like a perfect weeknight fall dish. Warm, hearty and tasty. Yum!
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
November 4, 2010 at 8:54 amROFL Don’t worry Biren – we know this is still a food blog, but sometimes it feels good to just let it all out, doesn’t it? π
You really are having a tough time with your hardware, you poor thing! Hope you have better luck than P Ramlee did with his three wives π
I am very happy to see any eggless recipe – I might actually try this one out very soon as my boys love meatloaf and I always add eggs to mine to hold it together, though I am no longer as fond of eggs as I used to be.
Biren says
November 4, 2010 at 10:07 amYes, I was so frustrated I needed to rant a little. Maybe I should watch those P Ramlee movies again just for laughs. They can be so entertaining π
Egg allergies/intolerance is such a strange thing. For some people, it seems ok if it is baked into the food, in other words, cook to “death”. It causes suffering if left soft or runny.
sarah says
November 4, 2010 at 9:53 amA very good recipe..i love meatloafs…yummyyyy
Angie's Recipes says
November 4, 2010 at 1:28 pmWe could live with some ranting ;-!) even it’s supposed to be a food blog as we all have encountered what has happened to you and your computer. Now back to your eggless meatloaf. It looks very heartwarming and comforting!
Faith says
November 4, 2010 at 3:12 pmOh no, I’m so sorry to hear about all your computer troubles! Third time is a charm though, right?! *Fingers crossed*
The meatloaf looks full of wonderful flavor! I really love the addition of apple!
Victoria says
November 4, 2010 at 4:04 pmSo glad you new computer is working out for you so far! I will keep my fingers crossed π Computers can be such a pain sometimes, haha.
Stella says
November 4, 2010 at 5:34 pmHey Biren, so sorry you’re having so many technical problems. You know, everything seems to be built in such a shoddy way these days. It’s hard to find sturdy, reliable ‘anything’…
Your meat loaf looks wonderful though, and so great of you to post a way to make it for people who can’t eat eggs. I’ve met a lot of people lately that can’t actually…!
pigpigscorner says
November 4, 2010 at 6:05 pmHate dealing with comp issues! THe meatloaf looks great even without the eggs!
Cooking Gallery says
November 4, 2010 at 6:09 pmWhat beautiful-looking meatloaf!!I just passed you an award, please feel free to pick it up in my blog :)!
Joanne says
November 5, 2010 at 6:41 amI hope that all of your computer problems are a thing of the past now! This meatloaf sounds delicious. Who would have thought it was eggless?
Biren says
November 5, 2010 at 7:38 amThanks everyone for your support and kind words. It is much appreciated. I hope this PC behaves and I will visit your blogs soon.
Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls says
November 5, 2010 at 7:41 pmThis looks and sounds delicious! New to your blog but loving it!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
MaryMoh says
November 6, 2010 at 2:45 amOh boy…sounds like some challenges over at your side with your computer. Hope everything is OK now. I would have collapsed if my computer decides to go on strike or die! Love your meatloaf. I can’t remember ever eaten one. Must try one day. Your meal looks delicious. Thanks very much for dropping by while I was away. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Biren says
November 6, 2010 at 8:20 amLOL! That’s to funny Mary. I was near hysteria myself. I guess we are all pretty attached to our computers and cameras π
Meatloaf is an easy comfort food. Do give it a try. You have a lovely weekend too .
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
November 7, 2010 at 12:32 amSo sorry that the recovery disks did not do the trick. When life gives you lemon, make meatloaf π Technology was supposed to make our lives easier – aargh! Hope #3’s a charm!
Biren says
November 9, 2010 at 8:47 amHi Priscilla! So good of you to visit π Yes, technology can be a pain when it misbehaves.
Nutmeg Nanny says
November 8, 2010 at 1:27 pmI love meatloaf! I have never had it eggless but I’m sure it’s equally delicious!
Biren says
November 9, 2010 at 8:48 amHi Nutmeg Nanny! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I hope you will give this eggless meatloaf a try.