Diner Meat Loaf Food

MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 120 degrees C (about 250 degrees F).
• Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add oil. Saute carrots, shallots, mushrooms and garlic until they become soft around the edges, about 2 minutes, then add paprika, nutmeg and 4 grams salt. Cook for 30 seconds, then add BBQ sauce and Worcestershire. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Meanwhile, mix cream, eggs and remaining 14 grams salt in a bowl until they are a uniform color. Add the bread and allow to soak for around 15 minutes, then blend in a blender (it can still be a bit chunky, but not large pieces). Mix in the meats, then the veg until it looks uniform and is slightly tacky when touched. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and put mixture into the pan. Bang it on the counter a couple times to ensure that it makes it to the corners. Bake until its internal temperature registers 70 degrees C (about 160 degrees F) on an instant-read thermometer, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Can be served immediately, but for best results allow to cool overnight, then slice and reheat slices in a pan with a little oil.

THE BEST MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Whisk the eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce and 2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl until completely combined. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and lightly golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add 3 tablespoons of the ketchup and cook until most of the moisture has evaporated and the mixture is thick and brick red colored, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the onions cool slightly. Then add them to the beaten eggs and mix to combine.
• Add the beef to the egg and onion mixture. Break up the meat with a fork or wooden spoon, and then mix to thoroughly combine; you don't want to see any lumps of raw beef. Add the panko and mix to combine. Stir the meat vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 7 seconds; it will become more homogenous and tackier.
• Transfer the meat to the prepared baking sheet and shape into a 9-by-5-inch loaf. Smooth the top and evenly spread the remaining ketchup over top. Bake for 5 minutes, and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Continue to bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf registers 150 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

GOOD OLD DINER MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, beef broth, onion, 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano.
• Don't overmix, but combine it well (hands work the best).
• Transfer meat to a shallow baking pan and shape into a loaf about 5 inches wide.
• Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• While meatloaf is baking, combine ketchup, brown sugar and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Pour or spoon over the meatloaf (after the 1 hour, 15 minute baking time). Bake for about 15 more minutes, until temperature reaches 160 degrees in the center of the meatloaf.
• Let meatloaf rest 5-10 minutes in baking pan, then remove to a serving platter.
• The drippings from the pan are obscene over mashed potatoes.
• I've made this with all the beef/pork combo, all beef and even buffalo and beef combined. It's always outrageous (we think). Also,it is better with the beef broth, rather than the milk.

MILE-HIGH MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
• Line 3 (9-by 5-inch) loaf pans with wax paper and set aside.
• Make bread crumbs by placing the bread in the work bowl of a food processor and processing until finely ground. Transfer crumbs to a large bowl. Add all ingredients, except ketchup, to the bowl; mix until just combined. Divide and shape the meat mixture into loaves in the prepared pans. Spread a layer of ketchup over the top to cover the meat loaf. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until completely cooked through. Remove from heat and let meatloaf cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

DINER MEATLOAF MUFFINS (LIGHT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.
• Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.
• Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.

DINER MEATLOAF AND MEATBALLS MIXTURE

Steps:

• Combine onion, saltine crackers, salt, pepper, egg and milk.
• Add ground beef and mix to combine.
• At this point, you can shape into loaves, wrap in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag and freeze for later use.
• If using for meatballs, spread mixture out on plastic wrap in a flat square; put in freezer bag and freeze. I use defrost level in microwave to defrost 1 lb ground beef.
• For meatloaf, we simply pour a layer of ketchup over the loaf and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For meatballs, shape into desired size; brown in fry pan with 1 tablespoon oil. Add meatballs to tomato/spaghetti sauce or chili sauce with grape jelly sauce.
• Variation: Feel free to add garlic powder or minced garlic and/or Parmesan cheese.

DINER-STYLE MEAT LOAF WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Sauce: heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over med-high heat.
• Add the onions and thyme and sauté until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and sauté until they begin to color and the liquid in the pan evaporates.
• Transfer the contents of the skillet to the insert of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker.
• Whisk the flour and ¼ cup broth together in a large bowl.
• Add the remaining broth and the soy sauce to the slurry and whisk until smooth.
• Pour the mixture into the cooker.
• Cover and cook on HIGH while you prepare the meat loaf.
• Meat Loaf: heat the oil in a small skillet over med-high heat.
• Add the onion, bell pepper, and sage and sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes.
• Cool the mixture and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Add the remaining ingredients.
• With clean hands or a large wooden spoon, mix together until well combined, being careful not to compact the mixture.
• Pat the meat into a loaf shape 6 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 2-3 inches tall.
• Set the loaf on top of the sauce in the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 1 hour.
• Decrease heat to LOW and cook for 4-6 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center reads 165 degrees.
• Remove the loaf from the cooker using two long, wide spatulas.
• Cover with foil and let rest 15 minutes.
• Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
• Cut the loaf into ½ inch slices with a serrated knife and serve napped with some of the sauce.
• Serve any remaining sauce on the side.