Kate’s Meatloaf

 I have always loved Katharine Hepburn, although I’m not sure I could articulate exactly why.  She was eccentric, certainly. And perhaps sometimes a bit full of herself, but what an extraordinary life. She had guts.  Lived on her own terms and accepted no less.  Fenwick, the location of her beloved family home on the shores of Old Saybrook, CT isn’t far from here.  I used to take a ride through now and then with the hope that I would figure out which house was hers, and perhaps catch a glimpse. You couldn’t ask the locals, they were fiercely protective.   I was looking at all the wrong houses, however, assuming it must be one of those hidden behind walls, hedges and long driveways.  I was wrong. It was right in front of me all along, with the lighthouse directly out in front of it.  I didn’t figure this out until she had passed on.

If you’re a KH fan, an excellent book written by Eileen Considine-Meara, At Home with Kate, has honest insight into the home life of the star, truly a fun read.  Eileen’s mother was Kate’s companion, housekeeper and cook for many years.  One of  Ms. Hepburn’s  favorite dishes was Fenwick Meatloaf.   I’m not a big fan of meatloaf, but my family loves it.  Over the years I’ve tried to find a recipe that I can actually enjoy, and this one is delicious.   Recipe below:

Fenwick Meatloaf
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground veal
1 cup bread crumbs (Kate liked Pepperidge Farms) 
1/2 cup beef boullion
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
1 onion, chopped fine
1 tsp minced garlic
salt & pepper to taste
Olive oil for greasing the pan
3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat Oven  at 350 degrees – In large bowl combine meats, bread crumbs, bouillion and cheese. Stir in eggs and onion. Add garlic, salt & pepper.  Place the mixture in large greased loaf pan and make a deep horizontal indent along the top of the loaf. Sprinkle the parsley into the cut. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Serve immediately.