A Proficient Actor

Have I mentioned that when Archie was in high school he clocked up a number of detentions?

Archie was a drama student and acting was his most favourite subject, if not the only subject he enjoyed.

In Year 12 Archie and his mate, Webb, had roles in a David Williamson play, The Removalists.  For their roles they were taught stage fighting, a subject they both loved and became very good at.  I’m not sure what role Webb was playing but Archie was playing the role of the boofhead, Ross.


Meatloaf with Tangy Tomato Sauce

Besides being in the same drama class, Archie and Webb were also in the same rugby team.  Prior to the rugby season Archie had been a rower by early morning and The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance by night.  Spent and exhausted he didn’t want to be in a serious rugby team so put himself in the Social Sevenths.  As did Webb.  This meant that rugby was not to be taken too seriously and was more a fun way to spend a Saturday.

Halfway through the season Archie and Webb were in the middle of a game that others were taking seriously.  The opposition scored a try.  At that moment, Archie and Webb decided they would put on a display of their newly acquired skills as stage fighters.  Fortunately, I wasn’t there, but from what I’ve been told, Archie and Webb began by angrily swearing at each other.  Webb then pretended to punch Archie in the head.  Archie came back at him, swearing, then punched Webb in the face.  Webb bent over and put his hands over his face like he’d been terribly hurt then Archie did a turn and fly-kicked him in the face.  Webb threw himself backwards and land on his back on the grass where he lay there like he was either unconscious or dead.

Their act was all done in front of a large audience of mostly parents who were lost for words and standing there in complete shock.  One horrified parent rushed onto the field of play and yelled at Archie, ‘What the f… was that?’  He went to grab Archie but the unconscious Webb, thinking perhaps their charade had been a little too life-like, jumped up and said, ‘I’m fine, we’re fine, it was all just a joke’.

Not all spectators have a sense of humour though.  Archie and Webb were given detentions and advised to keep their acting skills within the confines of the drama theatre.

Both boys were boarders and meatloaf was a common boarding school dish.  Archie didn’t like the meatloaf he was served at school but he didn’t mind this with its tangy tomato sauce.  This is very basic fare but wonderful fare for families or those wanting something comforting on a cold night in.

Boarding School Fare but better!

Meatloaf with Tangy Tomato Sauce

Serves:  6

Degree of Difficulty:  2/5

Cost:  This will feed a family of six for less than $20.00.

  • 750gms premium mince
  • 1 brown onion, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup cooked rice or 1 cup dried breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup tomato sauce
  • small handful chopped parsley
  • seasoning
  • 1/4 cup HP sauce

Tangy Tomato Sauce:

  • 2 tbspns olive oil
  • 1 brown onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 400gm tinned tomatoes
  • 1 tbspn tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup malt vinegar
  • 1 tbspn brown sugar

Preheat oven to 200C or 180C fan-forced.

Lightly grease a loaf tin with olive oil.

In a medium-sized bowl combine mince, onion, carrot, egg, rice, sauce, parsley and seasoning.  Mix with hands until well combined.  Place in loaf tin and press down to flatten.  Pour HP Sauce over the meatloaf then place in the oven for 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the Spicy Tomato Sauce.

In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil.  Add onion and cook until softened.  Add garlic and stir, being careful not to burn.  Pour in tinned tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar and sugar.

Simmer for 5 minutes.  Taste for seasoning.

Slice meatloaf and spoon tomato sauce over.  Serve with steamed baby potatoes and green vegetables.

Serve with baby new potatoes and steamed greens

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Comments

  1. Sweet Posy Dreams says:

    The meatloaf looks like a comforting dinner. I haven’t made meatloaf in ages. Too warm here now, but this reminds me to make one once the weather cools. I like the idea of adding carrot. I’ll try that.

    • hotlyspiced says:

      I’ve heard you’re having a heatwave so yes, this is much better served in cooler months. I add the carrot because it’s a way of getting those vegetables into the kids! xx

    • hotlyspiced says:

      I add the carrot to raise the vegetable count. Meatloaf is a great way to disguise vegetables for fussy kids. xx

  2. Norma Chang says:

    Love the tangy tomato sauce, I think it would go well with many other dishes besides meatloaf.

  3. I love the sauce with the meatloaf. This certainly would make meatloaf more appetizing to me as well. I would love to have been a spectator at that game!

  4. Haha, what a character Archie is 🙂 My mom’s meatloaf is almost the exact same recipe and it’s one of my absolute favorites! Yours looks delcious. I have to post mine soon too.

  5. A_Boleyn says:

    Archie would encourage me to have a glass of something handy at every phone call. 🙂 Or at least to develop the sense of humour you must have. As to the meatloaf, it does sound quite tasty with the tomato sauce accompaniment. But, my favourite side to go with meatloaf is usually mashed potatoes.

    http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/

  6. Mary Bergfeld says:

    This sounds like a wonderful family meal. I’ll wager the boarding school loaf couldn’t hold a candle to this one. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  7. I bet you drink a lot of wine, Archie sounds like a hoot! Busy and possibly stressful, but also fun loving. 🙂

    • hotlyspiced says:

      I think April, that Archie has caused me to drink too much wine. Didn’t drink at all before he was born! xx

  8. claire @ live and love to eat says:

    I love those classic meals, fancied up a bit. Sounds warm and filling for a chilly night! 🙂

  9. i’m such a bad actor, I couldn’t pull that out hahaha but I have to say your son is really funny…

    http://www.bakinginspain.blogspot.com

  10. GlamKitten88 says:

    Archie sounds like someone I would love to know! Great personality. This food looks awesome!

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

  11. Sigh. He’s a character, your Archie. I’m sure it would have been a great distraction for the game, and lots of parent goss for the rest of the week! Meatloaf looks hearty and warming! 🙂

  12. Wow now that is real acting my friend 😀
    Gotta love improv!
    Though detentions for art is totally out!
    Lovely looking meatloaf my friend, looks so flavoursome!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/

  13. Victoria at Flavors of the Sun says:

    I love the boys’ enthusiasm and sense of confidence and of self. Of course, I can imagine some parents weren’t amused–but I bet some were.

    Is there anything ore comforting than meatloaf? Looks like a good, solid recipe for it as well. It’s funny how it can jump continents and still spell “comfort.”

  14. Claire @ Claire K Creations says:

    Oh Archie, you get more entertaining the more we find out! I love meat loaf. Such a simple but delicious dinner. I haven’t made it for ages!

  15. Hhahhaah Archie is simply the funniest teenager 😛 punching eat other and then saying it’s all an act hehe ~ Ohhh meatloaf ~ i’ve never made it or had it much but this looks easy and yummy!

  16. Anna @ The Littlest Anchovy says:

    This is a really good staple recipe with a fabulous twist! I really need to make some meatloaf, it can carry you through the week in lunches! Great story, Archie sounds like a classic!

  17. ChgoJohn says:

    Meatloaf is definitely a favorite meal and this sauce of yours makes it really special. Malt vinegar. Who knew? For me, the best part of a good meatloaf comes the next day, in the sandwiches served for lunch. Few sandwiches can compare. Kinda like your Archie. Few teens can compare.

    • hotlyspiced says:

      You would probably prefer to use a lovely balsamic but malt vinegar is great with tomato sauces. And yes, I always hope to have some meatloaf left for sandwiches but alas, the teenagers strike again. And as for Archie, yes, he’s a handful! xx

  18. I have actually never had meatloaf but I am definitely going to try this tomato sauce. It sounds wonderful, whatever it might be served with! I have also never tried stage fighting and I think on reflection that may be for the best 🙂

  19. InTolerantChef says:

    Maybe he would have been better behaved on bread and water? Obviously the school gave the boys too much protein if they had that much energy. This meatloaf is definitely chocked way to full of goodness and yumminess to depress boyish spirits 🙂

  20. I love meatloaf and the mister hates it. We don’t have it very often at all which makes me sad. I wonder how he’d like it with this tangy sauce? I think I’ll give it a try. I bought some beef mince and now I know what to do with it.

    What an amazing schedule for a kid to keep in high school. As Celia says, Archie is quite a character but then look who he has for a mother. 🙂 Well done to you both.

  21. I love meatloaf, with rice, on bread or even on its own. Such a classic

  22. Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake says:

    That sounds like a boys thing to do! 😛 They must have thought it was fun and I’m sure it would have been fun to watch if the act was known to be a joke. 😛 I love meatloaves as well, this looks like such a tasty recipe! 🙂

  23. I would’ve loved to see that. And I love meatloaf

  24. love2dine says:

    I really love your style, and yourphotos are so magical!

  25. Eva Taylor says:

    That display sounds like it was worth a detention!
    I’m not much for meatloaf either, but that tangy sauce is right up my alley.
    Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

  26. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:

    Hehe oh Archie! Lucky he is such a charmer, I bet he charmed himself out of plenty of detentions 😉

  27. They should have been applauded for such a realistic presentation!!

  28. yummychunklet says:

    I’m excited to try that tangy tomato sauce!

  29. Hahaha, I had to chuckle at this – I can imagine the scene 😀

    I actually love meatloaf… I always think it’s much maligned, though I suppose it’s the kind of thing that can be terrible if it’s badly made!

    • hotlyspiced says:

      I know. It’s such an ordinary dish but perfect for a mid-week family meal with the weather is as ordinary as it has been. And the sauce lifts it! xx

  30. Home made tomato sauce…YUM! I won first price in the local show in my home town a few years back from a batch of plums that are a prune plum. The tree is in our backyard and is about 100 years old! they are not too good for eating but great for making sauce, jam or chutney. sadly we have had to move to the city for work and miss it very much. maybe when we retire back there I can start again 🙂

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