Roast Meat Loaf Or Hedgehog 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.

HEDGEHOG BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
• For the ears and tail: Pinch off a large marble-size piece of dough and set aside.
• For the head and body: Form the remaining dough into an 8-inch-long teardrop shape on the prepared baking sheet. Pull the narrow end out to form a snout. Lay the tip of the snout on an overturned spoon so that it points up slightly. Coat the dough with cooking spray and let rise in a warm place until slightly puffed, about 45 minutes.
• Add the baking soda to 1/4 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved.
• With the snout facing you, visualize a widow's peak (or heart shape) a third of the way up to frame the hedgehog's face. Brush the outline of the widow's peak. Brush behind the widow's peak and the remaining dough, leaving the face unbrushed. Brush a little plain water on the end of the snout and press in a cherry for a nose. Cut two small slits in the face on either side and press in dried cherries for eyes. Divide the reserved marble-size piece of dough in thirds and roll into balls. Attach two pieces to the top of the head (on either side of the widow's peak) with plain water and press with your thumb and finger to make a concave ear shape. Attach the last ball to the back at the base for a tail. Stick the pecans under his body for feet.
• Starting at the top of the widow's peak, use sharp scissors to cut spikes in rows all down the back of the hedgehog.
• Bake until the hedgehog is risen and the back is well browned, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

DAD'S MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Meatloaf:
• In a large mixing bowl combine beef, pork, eggs, bread crumbs, garlic and tomato relish. Finish with olive oil, and then pack into a 9-inch loaf pan and place in the middle of a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the center of the meat loaf reaches 170 degrees.
• Finish the meat loaf with remaining tomato relish and broil at 500 degrees until tomato relish begins to crust. Allow meatloaf to cool before slicing.
• Chop tomatoes, peppers, and onions into a medium dice. Saute over high heat. Finish with ketchup. Lower heat. Reduce to a simmer.

BEST MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Combine the milk, eggs and Worcestershire sauce; mix into the beef mixture. Add crumbs., Grease a large sheet of foil. Place bacon on foil. Mold meat mixture into a loaf and place over bacon. Seal foil tightly around loaf. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. , Place wrapped loaf on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Open foil; drain juices. Combine sauce ingredients and spoon over loaf. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes longer or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°.

ROAST MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix all the ingredients except the catsup and brown sugar together.
• Press the mixture firmly in an ungreased loaf pan 8 1/2 X 4 1/2 X 2 1/2-inches.
• Loosen the edge with a spatula and unmold the loaf in an ungreased baking pan 13 X 9 X 2-inches.
• Mix the catsup and sugar then spoon onto the loaf.
• Bake uncovered for about 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
• Remove the meat loaf to a plate and let stand for 10 minutes.
• Then slice and serve on a heated platter.
• NOTE: If you don't have a pan this size, just form the mixture into a loaf in the large baking pan.
• VARIATION: Roast Meat Loaf Ring: Press the meat mixture firmly into an ungreased 5 to 6 cup ring mold.
• Unmold in the baking pan by rapping mold against the bottom of the larger pan.
• Brush with the catsup mixture.
• Bake for about 50 minutes.
• If you desire, the hole in the ring can be filled with hot potato salad or creamed peas.