A Good Meatloaf

Once in a while I make a meatloaf that
is just a little bit better than most.
This is a real good recipe for meatloaf.
Before you commit the meat to its pan,
pull a piece about the size of a walnut
and make a patty out of that and fry it
in a dry skillet, then taste for seasoning.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 lb ground beef
1 1/4 lb ground pork
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 small onion, minced
1 green pepper, minced
2 slices good bacon, chopped fine
1/3 cup ketchup
2 Tbs horseradish
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt, pepper, Tabasco and/or herbs

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine everything in a large mixing bowl.
Stir with a fork to distribute ingredients,
then use your hands to blend and knead
until it's a fairly firm and homogeneous
mass that will hold its shape.
Form into a loaf,
then put into a 2-qt loaf pan,
pressing down the sides to eliminate
any gaps along the bottom edges.
Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hrs,
to an internal temperature of 150 degrees F
For a sweet/savory topping,
you can mix some ketchup and horseradish
together with a little Worcestershire sauce
and brush this over the top
of the loaf after the first hour.