Good Ole Meatloaf
I always remember my Mom making the best meatloaf...other kids would turn up their nose at it yelling that they weren't going to eat that night if it was served but I would throw my road hockey stick like a javelin and tear home when given the "supper's ready" signal on meatloaf night!
This meatloaf is a mixture of ground beef and pork, chili sauce, onion, garlic and spices with a tangy glaze for the top...it seems to hold it's form nicely and is very easy to cut into thin slices for cold meatloaf sandwiches the next day...James' fave!
In a large bowl add about 3 lbs of ground meat...I used 1 1/2 lbs. of ground pork and 1 1/2 lbs. of ground beef...then throw in a small chopped onion, 1 minced garlic clove and 2 tsps. of dry mustard powder.
Next, add 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/4 tsp. of ground pepper...
...about 1/2 cup of chili sauce ( I just dump it in and eyeball the amount)...
...a 1/2 tsp. of thyme, several shakes of worcestershire sauce and 1 egg....mix it all up with your hands, making sure the egg and spices are thoroughly mixed into the meat.
Next, add about 1/4 cup of dry breadcrumbs...just enough to bind everything together. You don't want your meatloaf turning into sawdust, especially if your mother in law is dining with you that night!!
Work the breadcrumbs into the meat mixture...preferably with clean hands, but that's your call...
...and dump it into a loaf pan, forming it into a lovely, neat little...well, meat loaf...hence the name, I suppose! Set this aside while you make the glaze.
In a separate small bowl, add a 1/2 cup of ketchup,
...1 tsp. of dry mustard powder,
...1 tbsp. of brown sugar,
...and 1/4 tsp. of ground cloves...
...whisk it all together and pour over top of meatloaf, reserving a few tbsps. to brush on top of cooked meatloaf, if desired.
Cover top with bacon...
...and set the pan on a foil lined baking sheet (to catch any drips...that's all you need...sawdust meatloaf AND the smoke alarm going off as your mother in law arrives!!) Put in the oven at 375 degrees for about 1 1/4 hours...Towards the end of cooking time, I usually take the meatloaf out and drain off some of the grease, then pop it back into the oven until done...if you find that the top is cooking faster than the rest, set a piece of foil on the top until everything is thoroughly cooked.
Remove from oven and brush remaining glaze over top...let cool for about 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Voila...my Mom's best "hockey stick throwing, run home as fast as I can" meatloaf! Enjoy! :)
"Good Ole" Meatloaf
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef/ 1 1/2 lbs. ground pork
1 small chopped onion
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
2 tsp. dry mustard powder
1/2 tsp. thyme
several shakes of worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/4 cup bread crumbs
3-4 bacon strips for the top
Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees, then in a large bowl, using your hands, mix everything together until fully combined...dump it all into a loaf pan, pressing the meat mixture down, forming it into a loaf.
Glaze for meatloaf
1/2 cup of ketchup
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard powder
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Whisk this all together and spread over top of meatloaf, reserving a few tbsps. to brush over top when it comes out of the oven...cover with bacon strips and put it in the pre-heated, 375 degree oven for about 1 1/4 hours or until done. I place my loaf pan, on a foil lined baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Closer to the end of cooking time, I remove the meatloaf from the oven and drain off most of the grease, then put it back until thoroughly cooked. You may need to place a piece of foil over meatloaf toward the end of cooking time if the top is cooking faster than the rest. Remove from oven when done and brush remaining glaze over top...let sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing.