Harrison Happenings: Husband’s turkey meatloaf a hit with Hepnar

Carol Hepnar can relax after long day of volunteering with this comforting dish

Carol Hepnar’s ancestors, the McAdams, came from Maine (and Quebec) in the early 1900s to California where she was born. She grew up there, and met her husband, Ernst, who was from Vienna, on a Cunard-line ship as she and a friend were returning from a trip in Europe. He settled in Vancouver and eventually they got together and Harrison Hot Springs became their home in l957. Ernst worked for 14 years at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort in a variety of jobs including Assistant General Manager. Three sons were born and Carol eventually got a Teacher’s Certificate after completing a program at Simon Fraser University. She spent her entire 21 years of teaching Grades 1 and 2 at the Kent Elementary School in Agassiz, from which she retired in l994.

She was a member of the Harrison Hikers and later also joined the Multicultural Singers and then became one of the first members of the HHS Multicultural Choir. Over the years, Carol has volunteered for many different causes such as the Kent-Harrison Arts Council, Emergency Social Services, the Agassiz Museum, Harrison’s Communities in Bloom Committee and last, but not least, she types and e-mails all my weekly articles, for which I am forever grateful!

Like many members’ husbands, Ernst is an excellent cook and Carol truly appreciates his great meals. One dish she finds irresistible is the turkey mixture, which can be a meatloaf or balls or patties. While I am sure they can be served with many things, I will try them with rice.

Here then is Carol’s favourite dish:

 

Ernst’s Turkey Meatloaf or Meat Balls

 

You Need:

1 – 1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey

1/4 lb. ground pork

1/4 lb. ground hot Italian sausage

(Buy all of above already ground)

1 egg

3 Tbs. grated Parmesan (or other, if prefer)

3 Tbs. breadcrumbs

4 slices turkey bacon-crumbled

1 onion chopped

4 cloves garlic – minced

1 Tbs. Marjoram

2 Tbs. Oil – whatever you have

1 Tbs. Paprika (preferably smoked)

A little sugar or honey

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Method:

1.  Cut bacon into small pieces and fry in oil until brown,

2.  Add onions and garlic,

3.  Mix all other ingredients in bowl, then add onion mixture and blend with hands,

4.  Put mixture into meatloaf pan to bake at 375 degrees for about 1 hour or, form meatballs and fry in oil until browned and cooked,

5.  Serve with homemade or canned tomato sauce.

 

To read Ruth’s previous columns, click here.

 

 

Agassiz Observer