Meat Loaf Almôndegas Provincial Food

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.

ROAST BEEF BRAZILIAN STYLE (CARNE ASSADA)

Steps:

• Use a sirloin tip, heel of beef or boneless rump roast- 5 or 6 pounds. Perforate several times with a fork. Season with white wine or vinegar, chopped garlic, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Let the roast sit over night turning occasionally. Place in a roasting pan with all of the seasonings. Add a little oil and cook at 350 degrees, basting occasionally. VARIATIONS: make holes in the raw roast beef before roasting and insert carrot spears.

BRAZILIAN MEAT BALLS (ALMôNDEGAS)

Steps:

• Mix well and form balls. Roll in the flour and deep fry in hot fat until well browned. Reserve. Sprinkle with parmesan. Brown the onion in the cooking oil, add the other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Add the meat balls. Turn the heat down and let the meat balls simmer until well done and the sauce is thick.

MEAT LOAF (ALMôNDEGAS PROVINCIAL)

Steps:

• Make the meat mixture as in the recipe for meatballs. Form into a loaf. Inside the loaf, hide 2 peeled whole boiled eggs. Dip the loaf into flour and deep fry in hot oil. Place the loaf in the sauce and increase cooking time over low heat so the almôndegas will be well cooked inside.