Nothing is more exasperating to a Cook then a finicky eater!

You know the one who refuses to taste, try or cooperate, like Mothers-In-law.

It was a big day.  My first dinner for my in-laws.

The menu was perfect – Cornish Game Hens with Apricot stuffing, creamed Peas with Water Chestnuts and a light airy dessert.

Preparation took hours!  I toiled over the creamed peas, basted the hens with just the right amount of butter, and 7,549 hand mixed beats for the light airy dessert.

Exhausted but feeling proud.  We gathered at the table.

“Yum, yum,” grinned Father in-law. “Looks great hon,” quipped husband. 

Wiping the spots off the silverware, mother-in-law just smiled.

We were halfway through with dinner when husband said, “Gee Mom, aren’t you hungry?’

Nibbling On the Game Hen leg (the size of a sardine), she said, ‘I really prefer cold chicken, and have you ever been to “so and so’s oh my was the dinner good there.”

As I was wrapping her leftovers, I decided to start my first family tradition. 

When mother-in-law visits I hide those Creative Cookery books and exchange them for “Cooking with Canned Soup and Fun with Meatloaves.

Do you know what?  Family dinners have been a smash hit ever since!

BEST EVER MEAT LOAF

1 Can (10 1/2 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom or golden mushroom soup.

2 lbs., ground beef 

½ Cup fine dry bread crumbs

1-3 finely chopped onion

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 t salt  

1-3 cup of water

2 to 3 tablespoons drippings

Mix thoroughly ½ cup soup, beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg and salt. 

Shape firmly into loaf in shallow baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes.