Barbecue Meatloaf

Cool weather has arrived and that means it's time for some comfort food from the slow cooker.  It doesn't get more comfort foodish than meatloaf, so Ed went looking for recipes that could be done in the slow cooker, and this one caught his eye.

Ingredients:

• 2 to 2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (we used 2 lbs ground sirloin - why?  it's leaner & it was on sale at Kroger this week)
• 1 can tomato soup, divided
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, divided
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onions
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Preparation:

1. Combine ground chuck with half of the tomato soup, egg, crackers, honey, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, onions, salt & pepper.  
2. Mix well and form into a ball/loaf.
3. Place a crinkled length of aluminum foil in the slow cooker so the ends extend an inch or so out of the pot.
4. Place the meatloaf in the pot (the foil will make it easier to lift the meatloaf out & keep it out of the drippings.
5. Combine remaining soup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, water, mustard, and brown sugar.
6. Whisk together and pour over the meatloaf.
7. Cover & cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. (9 hours worked well in our slow cooker.)
8. Serves 4 to 6.

Our thoughts:

The meatloaf turned out moist with a slightly smoky flavor.  Next time we will probably add some more spicy spices, like chili powder, cayenne, cumin, and maybe some chopped adobo chiles just to give it some kick.