Lucias Meatloaf Food

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.

CLASSIC MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the meatloaf mix, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, onion, garlic, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix together until well combined.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and form it into a compact oval-shaped loaf about 9 inches by 5 inches. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.
• Stir the brown sugar together with the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire in a small bowl for the glaze. Brush the top and sides of the meatloaf all over with the glaze. Return to the oven and bake until the glaze starts to caramelize and a thermometer inserted in the center of the meatloaf registers 160 degrees F, about 25 minutes more. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Add all ingredients for the meatloaf to a large mixing bowl (with the exception of the coatings). I usually add 2 large pinches of salt and several grinds of black pepper, but you can adjust that to your own taste. Work the ingredients through the meat mixture just enough to incorporate (it doesn't matter if ingredients aren't distributed uniformly. Check the consistency of your mixture: you want to be able to form it into a loaf without having it fall apart, but you don't want it to be too dry. If the mixture is too wet and falling apart, add an additional 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs. If the mixture is too dry, add another tbsp. of tomato sauce (more if needed).
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set a baking rack onto the foil and coat generously with cooking spray. Form the meat mixture into a loaf, making sure that it's roughly the same thickness throughout for even cooking. Rub on the tomato sauce and sprinkle with Romano cheese. Sprinkle lightly with salt and fresh-ground pepper.
• Tent some aluminum foil over the meatloaf: I sometimes lay 2 pieces of foil over each other and fold one side of the long ends over several times. This is the "spine" of the tent. The foil doesn't need to cover the meatloaf tightly: just tuck the open ends down toward the baking rack. Place the meatloaf in the oven.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers, onions, and garlic. Sauté until soft and translucent, 6-8 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, stir to combine. Sprinkle with the vinegar and sugar or Splenda; stir. Bring almost to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Simmer for 45 minutes.
• Check the meatloaf after an hour with an instant-read thermometer: the meatloaf needs to be 160° throughout. Remove the foil. At this point, you can spoon some of the sauce on top of the meat loaf if you'd like. Continue baking as needed.
• Remove the meatloaf from the oven and rest for 10 minutes. Slice thickly and serve with the sauce. Enjoy!

MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.

LINDA'S LUSCIOUS MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Put beef and onions together in a lg.
• bowl.
• Mix well.
• Add bread crumbs, eggs, and milk, and mix well.
• Add rice and water, and mix well.
• It will be soupy.
• Add 1/2 c.
• ketchup, and 1/2 c.
• tomato sauce, salt and pepper, and mix well.
• I use my hands to mix it together.
• Put mixture in a 9x13" casserole dish, shaping into a loaf.
• In a bowl, mix the remaining ketchup and tomato sauce together.
• Pour over top of meatloaf.
• Bake in 350 oven for 1 hr.
• and 15 mins.
• ,or until no longer pink in the middle.