I think just about every cook in America has their very own meatloaf recipe. Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food. I think it is impossible to spell out just one recipe for meatloaf as I change mine constantly.

There are some constants that I always use such as ground beef, bread, breadcrumbs, and onions. But really, you can add just about anything you want to meatloaf. Here is the version I have been making lately that the family just loves. If there are any leftovers, they do not last very long.

• 2 pounds ground beef.
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped.
• 3 medium stalks of celery, chopped fine.
• 1 large carrot minced. I use a small food processor to mince.
• 3 large cloves of garlic, minced.
• 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
• 1/2 tablespoon Tabasco Garlic Hot Sauce.
• 1/2 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar.
• 2 large eggs.
• 3 slices of bread.
• 1/2 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs.
• Olive oil.
• 1/3 cup ketchup.
• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar.
• Salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Add enough olive oil to a medium skillet to coat the bottom, about two tablespoons. Heat to medium and cook the carrot, onion, celery and garlic until the onion starts turning clear. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, add the meat, Worcestershire, Tabasco, and Balsamic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked vegetables, and eggs and mix with your hands until combined.

Quickly soak the three slices of bread in water and then squeeze the water out. Break into pieces and then add to the meat mixture. Add the bread crumbs and combine with your hands. Form mixture into a loaf and place in a large greased casserole dish.

Mix the ketchup and brown sugar together in a small bowl. Using a spoon, or spatula, or your hands, spread the ketchup/sugar mixture all over the top of the loaf.

Place the dish into the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 and cook another 40 minutes. Cut into slices and serve hot.