Meatloaf: Cooking Options

1. Choose meat

Preheat oven to 180°C. Place 700g of minced meat (choose 1 or a combination) in a large bowl.

• Ground beef
  
• Ground turkey
  
• Minced veal
  
• Minced pork

2. Choose a binding ingredient

Add 1 cup (choose 1) to the bowl with the minced meat.

• Breadcrumbs
  
• Instant rice (uncooked)
  
• Cornflakes
  
• Crackers or croutons, crumble
  
• Small bulgur (raw)
  
• Oatmeal (regular or quick-cooking)
  
• Instant Potato Flakes (1/2 cup)
  
• Quick-cooking barley groats (raw; 1/2 cup)

3. Choose vegetables

Choose 1 type, prepare 1-2 tbsp.; add to a bowl.

• Carrots, grate
  
• Frozen chopped spinach, thaw and squeeze out
  
• Swiss chard or kale, finely chopped
  
• Bell pepper, finely chopped
  
• Mushrooms, finely chopped
  
• Zucchini, grate and squeeze
  
• Celery, finely chopped and fried

4. Additional ingredients (optional)

Choose no more than 2, add 1/2 cup total.

• Raisins or prunes, chopped
  
• Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  
• Cooked bacon, chopped
  
• Pickled cucumbers or gherkins, sliced
  
• Green chili peppers or pickled jalapenos from a jar, chopped
  
• Walnuts, chopped
  
• Roasted red pepper, chopped
  
• Grated cheese (no more than 1 cup)

5. Bake the meatloaf

Add 1 cup grated onion, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons chopped herbs (parsley, chives, basil, and/or thyme), 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; mix with your hands to combine. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet to form a 9 x 5-inch oval “loaf.” Top with strips of bacon, if desired. Bake until halfway done, 30 minutes.

6. Make the glaze

Brush the top and sides of the meatloaf with glaze and continue baking until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 160°F (70°C), about 25 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Classical
Combine 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 teaspoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Garlic with herbs
Combine 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 grated garlic clove, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

Hot barbecue sauce
Combine 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar.

Spicy glaze
Mix 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons apricot jam, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon ground ginger.