Makes 4 to 6 servings

Every now and then, an envelope of onion soup mix can be a beautiful thing. This recipe, from 365 Ways to Cook Hamburger and Other Ground Meats (now out of print, but easy to find at amazon.com), is one of my favorite recipes of all time.

One 1-ounce envelope dry onion soup mix
3/4 cup sour cream (not reduced-fat)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups crushed salt-free potato chips (about 6 1/2 ounces)
2 pounds ground round or meatloaf mix

1. In a medium bowl, mix the soup, sour cream, eggs, and water until combined. Stir in the potato chips. Add the ground round and mix well. Transfer to a 8 1/2 X 4 1/2-inch loaf pan.


2. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf reads 160°F, about 1 1/4 hours. Let stand 5 minutes. Drain off excess liquid and slice.