Meat Loaf

Thom Hackett

Serves:  8

How many ways can you make a meat loaf?  I don't know but it seems as if each cook has a meat loaf recipe.  All the ingredients except the ground beef can be substituted.  I am sure there is a cook somewhere that will even substitute for the ground beef.  This cook feels it "ain't" meat loaf without ground beef.  I like to add 2 teaspoons of good Horseradish to my meatloaf.

Ingredients

1½ pound lean ground beef
½ pound ground pork or pork sausage (lean as possible)
2 cups fresh bread crumbs, about 4 slices
½ cup milk
½ cup red onion, minced
2 egg, beaten
1 teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons Horseradish, optional
1 each Meat Loaf Glaze

Cooking Method

Preheat oven to 350° F. 

In a large bowl,

1. combine bread crumbs and milk

2. add minced onion, beaten eggs, salt, pepper and horseradish; combine

3. add hamburger and sausage; mix all ingredients. 

Spoon mixture into 9" by 5" loaf pan; with spoon, level top. 

1. Spread "Meat Loaf Glaze" over top.

2. Bake meat loaf at 350°F for 1½ hours.

For easier serving, let meat loaf stand at room temperature 5 to 10 minutes; pour off and discard drippings.  With spatula, loosen meat loaf from pan; invert onto warm platter.

SUBSTITUTIONS FOR MILK:  Prepare meat loaf but omit milk; add one of the following:

1 (8-ounce container) creamed cottage cheese
½ (8-ounce package) processed cheese spread, cut in ½" cubes
½ cup sour cream
½ cup tomato juice or sauce
½ cup red burgundy
½ cup beer

SUBSTITUTIONS FOR BREAD CRUMBS:  Prepare meat loaf but omit bread crumbs; add one of the following:
1½ cups cooked rice
1 cup uncooked rice (cover with foil so rice can cook)
1 cup cooked or uncooked macaroni
1 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
1 (16-ounce can) kidney beans, drained and mashed
2 cups fresh rye bread crumbs
⅓ cup quick cooking tapioca

ADDITIONS:  Prepare meat loaf; add one or more of following:
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons horseradish
½ teaspoon basil
1 tablespoon curry powder
½ teaspoon caraway seeds
½ teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon soy sauce (use only 1 teaspoon salt)
½ cup green pepper, minced
½ cup celery, minced
¾ cup sweet pickle relish
1 (12-ounce package) squash and ½ teaspoon salt (omit milk)
1 (10-ounce package) mixed vegetables and ½ teaspoon salt

1 cup carrots, shredded
1 cup sauerkraut (use only ¼ cup milk)
1 (12-ounce can) whole kernel corn
1 (4-ounce can) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 (4-ounce jar) diced pimentos, drained
¼ cup parsley, chopped
½ cup pimento-stuffed olives, chopped
½ cup pitted ripe olives, chopped