Meat Loaf

This meatloaf recipe was is using minced beef. You can use a mixture of beef and pork. I following a more Western style recipe but it can always be adapted  to a more Asian palate by using curry spices or soy sauce. It is up to each individual cook's preference how they want their meat loaf to taste. I did not add vegetables in this recipe but you can add peas corn and diced carrots. The panade (breadcrumbs and milk) help to make the proteins in the meat less dense. In some meat loaf recipes, a few tablespoons of tomato ketchup is added too. Herbs like thyme or parsley is used. For an Asian version maybe spring onions and coriander leaves can be used instead. Lastly, it is the fat that gives added flavour and if you wish, wrap your meatloaf in layers of bacon strips before baking. Brush the top with glaze.

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

½ cup bread crumbs

¼ cup milk

1 egg

¼ cup tomato ketchup or chilli sauce

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce

1 kg minced meat (beef, pork mutton or chicken)

1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas and corn), optional

2 tablespoon cornflour

1 beef or chicken stock cube

2 tablespoons butter

Salt and black ground pepper

Heat one teaspoon of butter in a skillet and saute the onions for 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.  Set aside.

Place the beef stock cube in a small bowl with 2  tablespoons of hot water. Mix to a paste. 

Put the minced meat in a big mixing bowl. Add the beef stock paste and mix well. Mix the breadcrumbs and milk together and add to meat. Then add the fried onion, garlic, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. ( Add mixed vegetables if using). Keep mixing the ingredients by hand. Add the egg and cornflour. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper each. Mix well till all ingredients are combined thoroughly.

Heat a small skillet and take a little pinch of meat mixture and fry. Taste it and adjust seasoning to your liking. 

When you are satisfied, put the meat on a lightly greased baking tray and form it to look like a loaf of bread but not too high ( the middle might still be raw when the outside is done).

Spread some ketchup or chilli sauce over the top of meat loaf. (Alternately, you can also use BBQ sauce or a mixture of these sauces. Its up to individual preference)

Bake in a hot 180 °C / 350 °F oven for 50 minutes to an hour. minutes Serve with mashed potatoes.