Classic Meatloaf, by Cheryl

Forgot to take a picture! This is from here

Cue what do I make for dinner tonight? In comes meatloaf! I'm not the biggest fan of meatloaf, but this classic dish was so moist and sweet that it may have converted me. My family loved it and it was super easy to make. Yum!

Ingredients:

1lb. ground beef

1 cup dried bread crumbs

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 cup milk

1 large egg, beaten

2 tbsp. ketchup

1 tbsp. Worcestershire

1 tsp. dried parsley leaves

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

For the topping:

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350. 

2) In a large bowl add all of the ingredients except for the topping. Use your hands to mush and mix very well. Under mixing this moist recipe can result in the meatloaf being too soft/mushy.

3) Add meat to a loaf pan. Pat the meat into an even layer. 

4) In a small bowl add the toppings ingredients and mix. Pour the sauce on top of the meatloaf and spread evenly.

5) Bake for 55 minutes. Let rest about 10 minutes when done. 

Cajun Meatloaf, by Diane

Supremely unattractive photo but I had to cut it in the center to see if it was done!

I've been missing some cajun-style food since coming back from NOLA a few months ago. I saw this recipe and decided to try it, since I'm also a huge fan of meatloaf for a quick and easy meal that lasts for days! It was pretty spicy, and very juicy! I didn't make it with the cajun-style potatoes as suggested but I think that would have complimented the spice well. I also modified the recipe from mini loaves to one big one, hence me cutting it in the center to see if it was done and ruining my photo! Modified recipe posted below-


Ingredients:

1 tablespoon EVOO

5 Andouille sausage links, casing removed 
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 poblano or small green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 rib celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped

1 teaspoon celery seed
2 teaspoons granulated onion
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2- 1 teaspoon cayenne

Kosher salt and pepper
1/2 cup light lager or chicken stock (I would omit this next time because it was too wet)
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg
1 cup chili sauce

 

 

Directions:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a large meatloaf pan or broiler pan and set aside.

 

2. Over medium high heat, add EVOO to a large saucepan. Add in sausage, onion, pepper, celery, garlic, and thyme. Crumble sausage and mix until cooked through. Let cool slightly.

 

3. While sausage mixture is cooking, add remaining ingredients except chili sauce into a large bowl.  

 

4. Add the sausage mixture to the bowl and mix lightly until just combined.

 

5. Form into an even loaf and baste with chili sauce.

 

6. Cook for 50-55 minutes, or until done in center. 

Asian-Style Meatloaf, by Diane (UPDATED!)

This is a Cooking Light inspired recipe, and was very different from the regular American version of meatloaf. There's a lot going on in this dish that makes it healthy and anti-inflammatory: the garlic, ginger, and onions, the rice crackers instead of traditional bread crumbs, the ground turkey and pork over the usual red meat, and the hoisin sauce which does contain sugar but unlike ketchup it also contains fermented ingredients and good immunity spices.

This recipe was SO GOOD. It came out juicy as you can see, and tasted like a Chinese dumpling dipped in sauce. I have made it without fail at LEAST once a month, and it is always a hit. Yum!


Recipe from: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/asian-style-meat-loaves-10000001160603/


Ingredients:

1 (3 1/2-ounce) package plain rice crackers (such as ka-me)
1 pound ground turkey breast
1 pound lean ground pork
1 cup chopped green onions
3/4 cup hoisin sauce, divided
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 large egg whites
Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Place crackers in a food processor; process until finely chopped.
3. Combine cracker crumbs, turkey, pork, green onions, 1/2 cup hoisin, and remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.
4. Shape mixture into an even loaf on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; spread remaining hoisin sauce over the top of the meat loaf. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a thermometer registers 165°. Let stand 5 minutes.