Midwest Meatloaf Food

MASHED POTATO-STUFFED MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
• For the mashed potatoes: Poke each potato with a fork several times and microwave until soft, about 15 minutes (or use your microwave?s potato setting). Cool until you are able to handle them with a towel, about 2 minutes. Halve the potatoes and scoop out the flesh with a spoon and discard the skin. Mash the potatoes and butter in a medium bowl until smooth then fold in the sour cream, chives and 1 teaspoon salt until well combined. Set aside.
• For the meatloaf: Toast the bread crumbs in a dry skillet over medium heat until browned and fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside. Add the oil, onions, garlic, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring, until onions are tender, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly. Add the onion mixture to the bread crumbs along with the meatloaf mix, Parmesan and Worcestershire sauce. Toss and mix gently. Add the eggs and mix it completely into the meat mixture.
• Transfer 1/2 of the meatloaf mixture to the prepared baking sheet and gently press into a 12- by-3-inch rectangle. Gently create a well down the middle of the meatloaf mixture with a 1/2-inch wall on all four sides. Spoon the mashed potato mixture into the well. Working with a quarter of the remaining meatloaf mixture, gently flatten the mixture with the palms of your hands. Lay the meatloaf mixture over 1/2 of the mashed potatoes. Repeat with the remaining meatloaf mixture ensuring the potatoes are completely enclosed.
• For the glaze: Whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar in a small bowl. Spoon the glaze evenly over the entire loaf.
• Bake until an instant read thermometer registers 160 degrees F in the center of the loaf, about 45 minutes.
• While the meatloaf is cooking, cook the peas according to package directions. Toss with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Slice and serve the meatloaf with butter, black pepper and the peas.

SLOW-COOKER MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Combine the meatloaf mix, panko, eggs, 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, the scallions, parsley, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl; mix with your hands until just combined. Form into a 5-by-9-inch loaf.
• Transfer the meatloaf to a 6-quart slow cooker. Scatter the potatoes and carrots over and around the meatloaf. Pour in the chicken broth. Cover the slow cooker and cook 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
• When the meatloaf is done, skim off any excess fat from the juices in the slow cooker. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and the brown sugar in a small bowl, then whisk in 1/4 cup juices from the slow cooker. Brush the top of the meatloaf with the ketchup mixture. Cover the slow cooker and let the meatloaf rest, 10 minutes.
• Remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker and slice in half. Serve half with the vegetables; top with more parsley. Reserve the remaining half for Meatloaf Quesadillas.

MIDWESTERN GERMAN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large mixing bowl combine all of the ingredients. (Go on - use your hands -- you can't make meatloaf any other way!).
• Form meat mixture into a loaf and place into a casserole dish.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes.
• Nice with scalloped potatoes and steamed green beans.