Happy birthday hubby!

In making sure my husband has a great birthday, I set about today going to the market. I shopped for birthday cards from me and the animals. Then I was all about making sure I had everything I need for his requested dinner.

When he called at lunch, he confirmed he wanted meatloaf, not burgers. Mashed potatoes, not fries, green beans and a chocolate cake. We had discussed it a couple of days ago and I already had a few things in mind.

Meatloaf

I can’t seem to make meatloaf the same way twice. This time I included flavored croutons, roasted red pepper, portabella mushrooms (previously fried), as well as seasonings and sauces.

It was all going together well until I made the catsup topping. For my taste, it was to sweet. Nothing I could do, I had no time to re-do. Hubby is not as picky, thank God.

The sides

The beans were a no brainer. Take them from the freezer, put them in a sauce pan with a couple of tablespoons of butter and let them simmer. Same with potatoes, but the gravy? That was altogether different.  I took the pan I fried the mushrooms in, shredded last weeks beef roast leftovers in it,and commenced frying it. Adding flour mixed with pepper and milk. I ended up needing a little bullion for flavor, it was lumpy but the flavor was just right for the meatloaf.

The cake

The cake was to be perfection. I found a spectacular recipe on Pinterest. It was to be the grand finale! Despite my pre planning it was not to be. When I baked the three layers before heading off to market, I forgot to remove them from the buttered and floured pans. When the time came to build the cake, it was hopelessly stuck to the pans.

I could barely function the rest of my dinner with the cacophony that was going on in my head. The frosting was as it should be but I need more of it. Once assemble, I was only able to give the cake a crumb coat.

I cannot cook anymore.

In looking at the pictures, none of it really looks that great. And I realize I’m not a fan of food porn. Maybe if I were better at it. The most important thing is that hubby was appreciative of my efforts and said that it was all delicious (except for the cake, it was too late to try any of it so it will wait until tomorrow). He is worth a million to me! That’s the meaning in the gold flakes on the cake…..