Review of a locally famous take-home meatloaf.
Earlier I reviewed the family owned Hen House Supermarkets located in the Kansas City area. They are part of the Balls Food Stores begun one hundred years ago (1923) by Sidney & Mollie Ball. These markets have been family owned all this time, first by Sidney & Mollie, then by their son, and now by their grandson.
Reading the story of Mollie Ball, I discovered that she was no doubt a pioneer in the field of take-home “Grab n' Go” meals.
When World War II began, many mothers and wives began working in defense plants and found it difficult to find time to make dinner for their families. Mollie said “no problem, we'll make take-home dinners for you.” Her take-home meatloaf, in particular, became famous throughout the neighborhood.
Today it is easy to find 'ready-made' or frozen meals at the supermarkets, ready to cook for a quick dinner. Not so in the 1940s, but Mollie made it happen. She was a true pioneer when it came to 'take-home' meals. Mollie Ball was known for her generosity and for caring about the larger community.
Her original recipe for Mollie's Meat Loaf is shared below with permission from the Ball Food Stores.
Mollie's Meat Loaf
Ingredients:
2 cups bread crumbs
2 tbsp. Flour
1 ½ tsp. Salt
4 tbsp. onion, chopped fine
¼ tsp. Paprika
¼ tsp. Mustard
1/8 tsp. Sage
½ lb ground beef
½ lb ground veal
½ lb ground pork
1 egg
1 ½ cups milk
Instructions:
- Mix together the bread crumbs, flour, salt, pepper, onion, paprika, mustard and sage. Work this into the meat.
- Add beaten egg to the milk and knead into the meat mixture gradually.
- Mold into a loaf and place strips of bacon over top.
Cook at 375 degrees F for 2 hours
Makes 8 servings.
Summary
The Hen House and other Balls Food Stores in Kansas City are well-known for their locally-sourced fruits, vegetables, bakery items and meats. Their website also has a selection of recipes for your cooking and eating pleasure.
- Check out the dozens of wonderful recipes at the Hen House Recipes page.
- For more Recipe Reviews here on ReviewThisReviews, click on ReviewThisRecipes.com
Happy Eating!
That is a very interesting recipe! I have never made meatloaf with a combination of 3 meats, or with paprika or sage. I am sure it is delicious and a recipe I should try. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I have no doubt that many people though Mollie Ball was a Godsend in a time when help was much needed.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried using three meats in a meatloaf either, Mouse, but it sure looks delicious. Will also have to give it a try.
DeleteI have made meatloaf and meatballs using a beef, veal and pork mixture and it’s delicious. Mollie Ball was a true pioneer and patriot during that terrible wartime era!
ReplyDeleteMolly Ball was indeed a clever woman, Margaret. She helped her husband, Sidney, begin a single market after World War I and turn it into a successful chain of supermarkets which are thriving today - all in the Kansas City area. Truly a hometown success story.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful place to shop - so nice when family businesses get passed down from generation to generation - I hadn't heard of Mollie Ball, she sounded like a wonderful person - the recipe is very close to the one I use - I'll have to make a meat loaf next week :)
ReplyDeleteBarbara, you would not have had the opportunity to ever hear of Mollie Ball if you haven't spent some time in Kansas City where the Ball Food Stores (and Hen House Markets) are located. But she is definitely a woman who deserves recognition for what she accomplished in her life.
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