Pastel de Carne

To be prepared with someone special - in the kitchen, in mind, because you are that special someone or with multiple specials someones.

Prevents work-day blues and atrophy of the heart. Encourages heat in the kitchen - preheat oven to 375.


Start by caramelizing white onions with your choice of dark beer (tip: 90-min Dogfish Head)

Let onions cool and add brown mustard

Hand-mix fine salt, course black pepper, chopped mushrooms, fresh parsley, crushed red pepper, bread crumbs, one egg + ground beef

Combine onions/mustard and flavored beef mixture - form into a loaf shape with no holes

Place the loaf of meat in a loaf-shaped baking tin and into oven for 40 mins - all kitchens differ so alter temp and time for best convection - an inserted knife will not lie

Pull out and top with romano cheese and mashed potatos - back in oven for couple mins

My special someone made a tomato sauce to boot -- whole tomatoes cooked down, with lots of garlic and spice

Garish with a tall glass of milk and the latest of episode of the Office