Homestyle Meatloaf

Homestyle Meatloaf
An Old Family Favorite...my father's meatloaf recipe is easy to make, moist and flavorful. I don't consider it to be unique or unusual, as it is just a very delicious, balanced recipe. The soft fresh bread crumbs, evaporated milk and egg combine to make it less dense and the parsley adds a nice taste. The free-form shape adds a touch of rustic charm. Often times, my father will use rye or sourdough bread for making his crumbs, making for a subtle yet interesting change of taste. Leftovers, if there are any, make a delicious hearty sandwich the next day.

Ingredients of Homestyle Meatloaf
-- Glaze --
* 1/2 cup ketchup
* 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* Dash Worcestershire sauce
* Dash hot pepper sauce
* 1 tablespoon honey

-- Meatloaf --
* 1 1/2 pound ground chuck (85 percent lean)
* 3 slices of bread, finely diced with a knife (* see note) (about 1 cup)
* 1/2 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (or, about 1/3 cup)
* 1 small sweet onion, finely diced (or, about 1/2 cup)
* 1 clove garlic, finely minced
* 2 tablespoon molasses (or, brown sugar)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon celery salt
* 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
* 1 large or extra-large egg, lightly beaten
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/2 cup evaporated milk, divided (or, half-and-half or sweet milk)
* 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced

Preparation of Homestyle Meatloaf
For the glaze, combine the ketchup, vinegar, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and honey, set aside.

Place oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until foaming; add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to small bowl, set aside to cool.

In a small bowl, whisk egg with molasses, salt, pepper, celery salt, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup of the evaporated milk and 1/2 the glaze mixture, until combined. Gently break-up ground beef in a large bowl. Add bread crumbs, parsley and cooked onion, bell pepper and garlic. Pour egg mixture over meat mixture and mix gently with hands until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute. If mixture sticks to bowl, add additional evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture doesn't stick. Be careful not to overmix, and avoid squeezing the meat. Transfer meat mixture onto the center of a shallow parchment paper-lined baking sheet or pan and form into a 9- by 5-inch loaf shape, avoiding air pockets. Smooth top and edges of meat loaf with moistened spatula. Bake at 350 degrees F until meatloaf is to medium doneness, an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of loaf reads 155-160 degrees F, about 55 to 65 minutes. Brush the remaining glaze onto the meatloaf after it has been cooking for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, let stand 15 minutes. Transfer to a platter, and cut into thick slices.

Makes 6 to 8 servings of Homestyle Meatloaf.
* Note: My father makes his fresh bread crumbs with a knife...you can make them by tearing bread slices into quarters and pulse a few times in a food processor until the crumbs reach your desired texture (three slices will make about 1 cup of soft fresh crumbs).

Cuisine: American Main Ingredient: Ground Beef

Category: Fall Season Food