Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Meatloaf in abundance

I’m finding myself in the same position as Miss Emma Brand (later Miss Emma Watson) in one of my favorite episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.
The story goes that Miss Ellie Walker, the lady druggist, refused to give Miss Emma her pills without a prescription, whereupon the dear lady goes home to die. They are only sugar pills but Miss Emma is hooked on them and stages her dying pose while her neighbors bring in hordes of food to comfort her.
As she is lying on the sofa with her hand dramatically rubbing her forehead while she’s munching on a drumstick, she says to a neighbor, “Oh, more soup, just put it over there on the table with the rest of the soup.” The table is laden with fried chicken, roast beef and other home-cooked dishes the neighbors have prepared. The pill problem is resolved when Miss Ellie relents and brings Miss Emma her pills.
Pills aside, I am dealing with the same scenario as Miss Emma. I have been inundated with food from friends and neighbors for a few months now. And it’s not that I don’t appreciate their thoughtfulness, I really do. Let me explain.
A few weeks go, my church had a soup luncheon and the pastor and a friend of mine sent me five cartons of various soups that had been served. Later that day, another friend brought me a container of broccoli cheese soup, so there was nothing to do but freeze most of it and eat it all over time. I’m still working on it.
Another friend found that I liked the special chicken salad sandwiches served at a local restaurant. So one day a week, I can count on having a chicken salad sandwich for lunch.
The restaurant where I once ate lunch after church with my friends, makes a delicious blackberry cobbler which I ordered frequently.  So every Sunday afternoon,  my regular waitress sends me an order of blackberry cobbler free gratis. After about six weeks of what was once my favorite dessert, I am in the mood for a slice of lemon meringue pie.
Wednesday night is always chicken and dumplings night from someone who heard me say how much I liked them. However, this totally American dish is beginning to lose its appeal. My taste buds are getting hungry for steak smothered in onions… or catfish and hushpuppies.
Last night I made a meatloaf which I expected to last for three or four days. This morning a friend called and said she would be dropping by with a meatloaf she had just made.  Two hours later another friend called and said “I’m bringing you your supper… meatloaf.” My problem is, how much meatloaf can one person eat? Also, how to prevent these good Samaritans from bumping into one another as they deliver my ‘meals on wheels.’
I plan to milk this as long as I can.  Trouble is, I may have to buy another fridge.

An excellent side dish.

Cheese Grits and Corn Pudding
From Country Living

1.5 cup(s) whole milk
1 teaspoon(s) kosher salt
1/4 cup grits
3/4 cup grated aged Cheddar cheese
2 large egg yolks
3/4 cup creamed canned corn
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
3 large egg whites

Make the grits: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and, stirring constantly, add grits in a slow, steady stream. Continue stirring until thick, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool slightly.
Make the pudding: Stir cheese, yolks, and corn into the grits. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and add remaining salt and the pepper. Beat egg whites in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg whites, in thirds, into the corn mixture. Fill eight 1-cup ramekins and place on baking sheet. Bake until puffed, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve immediately.