Traditional Meatloaf is comfort food – so I love it. You could use ground turkey or chicken if you prefer that but add a bit more tomato sauce and one tablespoon of oil as the lack of fat in those ingredients can make it a bit dry. And remember to wash your hands before preparing this ( and all food). There is something wonderful about using your fingers and hands in food preparation – sort of going back to nature -and meatloaf is the perfect dish ( so is making bread!). Children love using their hands – make sure they are clean – and then let them dig in to mix the ingredients. My meatloaf is a little different. I like to add turmeric and curry – my South African heritage – where there is a wonderful dish called Boboti – for another posting!
Here is a little history from Wikipedia on Meat loaf ( the dish not the singer!). They also have a great picture of meat loaf with sauce – reproduced here because I forgot to take a picture of mine! It was so delicious that we had devoured it before realizing that we had not preserved it for posterity. This one looks a lot more beautiful than mine – but mine tasted great!
Ingredients:
1 | beaten egg |
1/2 | teaspoon salt mixed with 1 tsp of turmeric and 1 tsp of curry powder |
1 1/2 | lbs ground beef ( if you use extra lean, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil) |
1 | cup fresh breadcrumbs (use Panko Breadcrumbs which I love) |
4 | ounces tomato sauce ( you could use ketchup) |
1 | small onion, chopped |
1 | cup water |
2 | tablespoons brown sugar |
2 | tablespoons vinegar |
2 | tablespoons prepared mustard (use the grainy kind) |
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients up to and including the onion and mix thoroughly with hands. The grandkids LOVE to do this. Be sure that they have clean hands!
- Press into an 8-inch square pan or 9 X 5-inch loaf pan. ( Is this easy or what?)
- Combine water thru mustard; pour over loaf. I also add a little bit of olive oil here too ( about a teaspoon).
- Bake at 350° for 1 hour 15 minutes in a loaf pan).
- Let sit 15 min before serving.
This is perfect with mashed potatoes – I like to use Yukon and Sweet potatoes mixed – and for Halloween times add a yam or two to add that orange flavor!