Meatloaf haters-- take your free-love hippie selves to the tomato or spinach thread.
Meatloaf lovers-- tell us about your encounters with meatloaf.
My current life-goal is to make my own meatloaf one day.
Have you ever made meatloaf? Was it good? What are your secrets? When did you last have meatloaf? What makes a good side-item with meatloaf? With what tomato-based ingredient do you top your meatloaf? Or-- do you use something else entirely to top it, or even NO topping??
Please leave no detail out!!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Meatloaf and I first danced when I was a boy. The attraction was immediate. From then on, I'd have dreams on those cold and hungry nights.
My mom made the best meatloaf and the thought of it makes my stomach moan for more. I have no idea what her recipe was since I don't cook (my parents, brothers, sister and wife are all great cooks--I'm just a great customer ).
My wife makes better meatballs than my even my Mom and my sister (who is a chef and graduate of the Italian Culinary Institute of Manhattan, I may add), so I'm trying to convince her to try her hand at meatloaf.
I'm good for at least three slices since I'm still rather glutonnous and in denial about my aging body not getting fat via overeating. So at least one slice I do absoluely no topping, to inhale the deliciousness. I sometimes will do regular ketchup on the next, since like any red-blooded American, I love ketchup. And then I sometimes will use some A-1 steaksauce, which goes with it really well! (A-1 steaksauce should not be used on steaks; yet, its too good not to use on other things).
Posted by MLLASH on :
Oooh, your wife MUST attempt meatloaf!
Tell her Lash demands not only his own satisfaction but the satisfaction of Cobie as well, which can only occur when she makes meatloaf!
Posted by rickshaw1 on :
I eat it fastern' a bat outta hell.
Posted by cleome45 on :
I love to make my own meatloaf. However, I don't do the awesome full-fat version my Mom used to make. It had a crispy exterior layer, often augmented with BACON!
Ah, Seventies, this is why you were glory above all.
My version is usually lean beef and some ground pork (in a 3 to 1 ratio), augmented with veggies, lots of herbs and then coated with a layer of seasoned tomato paste to keep it from drying out in the oven.
I don't think meatloaf weather will really begin again until late September at the earliest, though. It's not Summer-y food.
Posted by Set on :
My favorite meatloaf recipe involves mashing a pound or two of ground beef up with an egg and some bread crumbs, and then putting it down in the baking pan and adding a layer of barbecue sauce and mushrooms and cheese, and then another layer of meat, and then another layer of barbecue sauce, mushrooms and cheese on the top, and then baking it.
It ends up greasy (I probably use more cheese than most), so I pour the grease out and let it sit for a bit. I've tried it with croutons and / or garlic cloves baked in, but that's a choice not everyone loves.
More recently, we've mixed beef, pork and whatever, because of an Atkin's fad in the house, and cut out the bread crumbs entirely (and the mushrooms, 'cause of those darn obligate carnivores), but I prefer all-beef and loaded up with mushrooms.
Bacon sounds like it would be an amazing addition, cleome. I can't believe we've never done that, since we generally agree that *everything* is better with bacon...
Meatloaf, lasagna, egg-drop soup and 'breakfast stuff' (eggs, omelettes, french toast) are about the only things I can cook that don't make people run away in terror. My tastes are completely different than other people's, it seems.
I want to make a meatloaf someday with peppers and onions cooked into it, with a beef bourguignon sort of flavor, but I live with an eclectic mix of Atkins carnivores and vegetarians, which pretty much nukes the idea of preparing large meals for the whole family, since I think the only thing everyone will eat is cheese...
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
Some people like it cold, in sandwiches, but I like it hot, with HP sauce. My meatloaf is nothing special, though. Just ground beef, lamb & pork with bread crumbs, herbs & spices & onions. Still, it's tastier than my lentil loaf.
Posted by future king on :
I make one mean meatloaf! It bears a superficial resemblance to conventional meatloaf .... but upon further inspection you'll find that it's, well, FAR FROM THAT!!! Posted by MLLASH on :
I'm loving the meatloafy info.
For my first self-attempt, I plan to go with the very basic: beef, breacrumbs, something tomatoey to top.
Loving Cobie's A-1 idea too...
I am thinking I may attempt this as soon as this weekend... certainly no later than next week if the obsession maintains current levels.
Posted by MLLASH on :
ps/ As a high-fiber side, I am leaning toward lima beans and brussel sprouts.
Posted by He Who LSHes on :
Bat Out of Hell is one mean album.
. . . oh, wrong Meat Loaf.
Posted by rickshaw1 on :
Posted by future king on :
quote:Originally posted by MLLASH: I'm loving the meatloafy info.
For my first self-attempt, I plan to go with the very basic: beef, breacrumbs, something tomatoey to top.
Loving Cobie's A-1 idea too...
I am thinking I may attempt this as soon as this weekend... certainly no later than next week if the obsession maintains current levels.
... ummm, you forgot onions. It ain't meatloaf without the onions. It just ain't. Posted by Jerry on :
Yes, the top of the meatloaf should be totally covered with fresh chopped raw onions before going into the oven.
Posted by MLLASH on :
oooh... I *love* onions, so not a problem!!
Posted by cleome45 on :
Just about every giveaway cookbook in the last Great Depression has some meatless version of meatloaf. Just check out the upper right hand corner of this pic.
Ironically, subsidies and the like have likely made it cheaper these days to just eat the ground beef, as opposed to peanuts, lentils, or whatever else usually formed the basis of the faux-meat. Which kind of sucks, IMHO. Americans really do eat too much meat and not enough other stuff.
Posted by cleome45 on :
[snip]
quote:Originally posted by Set: Bacon sounds like it would be an amazing addition, cleome. I can't believe we've never done that, since we generally agree that *everything* is better with bacon...
It was pretty awesome. Mom also used to impress us kids by embedding a couple of hard-boiled eggs in the loaf. When she sliced it, there'd be a slice of egg in each piece.
I really don't think I could eat the beef-egg-bacon combo today. It'd probably kill me.
[ August 25, 2011, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: cleome45 ]
Posted by MLLASH on :
It's in the oven.
There are only 2 ways this will turn out:
j'awsesome or a j'abortion.
There can be no in-between.
Posted by MLLASH on :
I'm eating it now. I think for a first attempt it is pretty good!
I went pretty basic... 90% lean beef, panko breadcrumbs, bell pepper, onions, 2 eggs, seasoned with Heinz 57 (Cobie's steaksauce idea sounded so good!!), tomato sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
I baked it for the final 20 minutes with a glaze topping consisting of more tomato sauce, more heinz 57 and ketchup.
I'm pretty into it... it's yum. Of course, I can't eat like this often but I'm already getting ideas for the next time... (like using ground sirloin and less tomato sauce but MORE steak sauce)...
Also please note my high-fiber side, a mixture of corn and lima beans!
Posted by MLLASH on :
Also, I plan to eat some Cheerios later to help balance this somewhat healthwise; I already had 1 bowl this A.M.
Posted by Set on :
quote:Originally posted by Fat Cramer: Still, it's tastier than my lentil loaf.
Ooh, that sounds intriguing! I love a good lentil soup (although I just have Campbells).
quote:Originally posted by cleome45: Ironically, subsidies and the like have likely made it cheaper these days to just eat the ground beef, as opposed to peanuts, lentils, or whatever else usually formed the basis of the faux-meat.
Lopsided food subsidies leading to America being #1 in childhood obesity is annoying. And the people hardest hit are the ones who can't afford to make massive campaign contributions and buy a vote to stop it, so it will not change anytime soon...
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
quote:Originally posted by MLLASH: I'm eating it now. I think for a first attempt it is pretty good!
I went pretty basic... 90% lean beef, panko breadcrumbs, bell pepper, onions, 2 eggs, seasoned with Heinz 57 (Cobie's steaksauce idea sounded so good!!), tomato sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
I baked it for the final 20 minutes with a glaze topping consisting of more tomato sauce, more heinz 57 and ketchup.
I'm pretty into it... it's yum. Of course, I can't eat like this often but I'm already getting ideas for the next time... (like using ground sirloin and less tomato sauce but MORE steak sauce)...
Also please note my high-fiber side, a mixture of corn and lima beans!
send some over, pretty please?
Posted by future king on :
< cuts off a 4 inch piece for himself and sits down at the table>
Hmm... no bad! Posted by cleome45 on :
LASH, if you're not dealing with heartburn today, that's a sign you're on the right track.
(BTW, my favorite side with meatloaf is steamed string beans. Potatoes are nice, too. Sliced and baked in the oven is good because you can cook them right alongside the main entree.)
Posted by cleome45 on :
[snip]
quote:Originally posted by Set: Lopsided food subsidies leading to America being #1 in childhood obesity is annoying. And the people hardest hit are the ones who can't afford to make massive campaign contributions and buy a vote to stop it, so it will not change anytime soon...
I have my doubts about much of the "obesity" hype, but I'm no fan of subsidies, either. Between that and the diet industry, I'm kind of amazed that anyone in this country manages to have a sane relationship with food at all.
[ August 26, 2011, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: cleome45 ]
Posted by MLLASH on :
Absolutely NO heartburn today! Hooray!! Also today it's been all-healthy food: Cheerios for breakfast, a salad for lunch. Dinner will likely consist of margaritas with no salt.
Posted by Dev - Em on :
I thought the A1 Steaksauce commercial where Meatloaf sings was pretty funny personally.
Posted by Thriftshop Debutante on :
So was this merely an infatuation , or do you have an enduring meatloaf relationship, Lash?
Posted by LASHbrain on :
I'll definitely make it again, but probably not until well after Thanksgiving!
Maybe a second go-round before Christmas, as a treat to myself!
Posted by Thriftshop Debutante on :
I am fixing to loaf.
Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
A jug of (red) wine A loaf of meat And...me.
Posted by Thriftshop Debutante on :
You know it, sister. I don't plan to share, either.
Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
That's okay. I never share mine.
Posted by Fat Cramer on :
The grocery store is selling uncooked prepared meatloaf, in a plastic pan, just shove it in the microwave. That just seems wrong.
Posted by cleome45 on :
Beef, or turkey? Ah, the possibiities.
Posted by LASHbrain on :
Sadly, I am having an all-high-fiber day.
fat-free refriend beans for breakfast... homeade all-veggie tomato sauce with whole-wheat penne for lunch.
But meatloaf must happen sometime well before Christmas...
Posted by cleome45 on :
Turkey-sage loaf w/mushroom gravy... side of buttery mashed spuds plus sauteed broccoli... [dreamy sigh]
Chez What Cafe' on Alberta St. made the... best... EVER! 8-10 years since their sad demise, and I still dream of it. At-home attempts at duplication just never come off right...
Posted by Thriftshop Debutante on :
I am going to try this cranberry meatloaf recipe. Well, sort of, because I don't have all the ingredients. But cranberry with chili sauce ---- CHILI SAUCE, Lash!---- sounds intriguing.
Posted by LASHbrain on :
No sauerkraut and I winged the CHILI SAUCE, Lash (chili seasoning + water) but it turned out very well. Tasty!
Posted by evil MLLASH tot on :
Guess what! I should have meatloaf in about 30 minutes!!
I went with 1 lb 90% lean and 1 lb 80% lean beef...
To this, I added onions, plus green red AND yellow peppers, tomato sauce and a Heinz 57/A-1 steak sauce mixture!
To make it even LESS non-healthy, this time I used 3 cups of OATMEAL and instead of eggs, those egg-beater things!
Also, taking Jerry's suggestion, I topped the whole thing with diced onions before putting it in the oven-- I am very much an onion lover.
I'll make a picture! Posted by evil MLLASH tot on :
Sadly I have to call this meatloaf a failure. I forgot to add spices (such as garlic powder) and the A-1/Heinz 57 combo is WAY too powerful.
Also, I prefer strictly green bell peppers for meatloaf.
I'll try to eat most of it.
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
I heard adding some cream or sugar can help dilute powerful sauces. Not sure if it'll help with the meatloaf, though.
Posted by cleome45 on :
Trying out a new turkey meatloaf recipe tonight!
Wish me luck, LW Gourmands!
Posted by Kent Shakespeare on :
I would do anything for love, but I won't do that.
oh, that's not the Meatloaf being discussed here?
my bad.
Posted by Kent Shakespeare on :
but seriously, good luck, cleomedear!
Posted by cleome45 on :
Well, the aroma is promising. We shall see. It's got some rather outre' ingredients in it. But I had to get out of the way so mr_cleome could do the rest of the cooking. (Twice-baked spuds, steamed Brussels sprouts.) Only time will tell...
Posted by MLLASH classic on :
My last batch disappointed me so much I have yet to desire more... I hope the verdict is good for you!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Lady Cobalt made a kick-ass meatloaf last week with mashed potatoes! It was so good that I've been walking around like Mike Tyson for two weeks!
Posted by cleome45 on :
quote:Originally posted by MLLASH classic: My last batch disappointed me so much I have yet to desire more... I hope the verdict is good for you!
Awww... what went wrong, LASH?
This one turned out great, BTW. Actually there was so much that we ended up with a loaf-and-a-half at the end. Plenty left over for sandwiches galore later in the week! w00t!
Posted by Abin Quank on :
2lb ground turkey (or 97% fat free beef) 1/2lb hot italian sausage 2 med eggs 1 med yellow onion, diced 1 med green pepper finely diced 2 cups italian bread crumbs 1 sm can tomato paste salt, black pepper, cayanne pepper, garlic, to taste. 1 sm can tomato sauce
Combine all ingredients, except for the tomato sauce in a bowl.
form the loaf in a large baking dish (or two meatloaf pans)
Cover the top with the tomato sauce.
bake at 375 degrees until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees.
Enjoy.
Posted by MLLASH classic on :
Hot italian sausage? GOT to try that!
Posted by Abin Quank on :
Made that recepe last night, turkey version. Delicious!
But next time I'm adding Jalapeno's.
Posted by Lard Lad on :
Abin, do you cut up the sausage into circlets or what? Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
Lardy, maybe Abin has a grinder, or maybe he just buys already-ground sausage at the store.
Posted by Lard Lad on :
Yeah, I've heard he likes ta grind his sausage...
Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
Posted by Abin Quank on :
Ever heard of Sausage Patties?
Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
Who hasn't? Posted by Legion Tracker on :
quote:Originally posted by Abin Quank: Ever heard of Sausage Patties?
Weren't they seldom-seen twins in the Peanuts neighborhood?
Posted by Fanfic Lady on :
LT, that would be 3 & 4. They also had a brother named 5. Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
The meatloaf discussion never ends.
Posted by lowercase mllash on :
I should note that last week, I made my 3rd attempt at meatloaf, at my Grandmother's request.
It was not as good as the first attempt but nowhere near the colossal failure of the 2nd attempt.
I had to use her products, which consisted of 1 lb ground sirloin, 2 eggs, meatloaf mix, onions, bell peppers and perhaps a tad too much tomato sauce.
One of these days, I will make a 4th attempt, and I predict it will be perfect.
Posted by Leap Year Lord on :
There's more chili-cran in my near future, let me tell you what.
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
Love meatloaf with mustard and ketchup. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Posted by Conjure Lass on :
I like to make my meatloaf with stovetop stuffing mix in it. Despite what you might be thinking, it's DELICIOUS. Makes it moist and is SUPER EASY.
Posted by Viridis Lament on :
I had a store bought meatloaf a few days ago. Better than I'd make, but no way close to as good as Desdemonia's
Posted by cleome46 on :
I never did share that awesome turkey meatloaf recipe that I found. So here it is:
I did some minor modifications. I cut the amount of salt and Worcestershire sauce in half. (I usually dial salt way back in most recipes.) I added about four drops of Angostura bitters to the meat mixture, too. (Almost any dish with tomato is better with that addition.) Instead of going with ketchup for the tomato topping-mix, I used a little dry vermouth.
Fabulous! (A moist, rather than crispy loaf. You can spoon the pan juices over your side dish. We had white rice.) Plenty for tomorrow's sandwiches, too.
[burp!] Takes some elbow grease to get it all chopped and mixed, but well worth it! [burp!]
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
^ OOhhh, I wish I'd seen that earlier! Would have loved to have tried that for dinner!
Posted by cleome46 on :
Try it, IB! You won't be sorry.
Earlier this week, I did make the classic beef-pork combo, molded free-form into an oval rather than packed into a loaf pan. It had strips of bacon over the top, and the very last of this summer's fresh herbs in it.
I'm pretty sure it should be illegal to eat this kind of food more than once every other month. Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
Heck, eat it every day! It's a good protein source
Maybe I'll adapat to add some boiled eggs. We have a lot of local meat rolls that include those, as well as raisin bits and cheese.
Posted by Viridis Lament on :
quote:Originally posted by Invisible Brainiac: Heck, eat it every day! It's a good protein source
Maybe I'll adapat to add some boiled eggs. We have a lot of local meat rolls that include those, as well as raisin bits and cheese.
You took the words right out of my mouth
Posted by cleome46 on :
I bet raisins would be good. The cheese might make it too rich for me, though.
As I said upthread, my Mom loved to impress us kids by embedding a couple of whole hard-boiled eggs in the meatloaf before baking it. Then each slice of loaf would have a slice of egg, too. (I can't make that now, because mr_cleome thinks hard-boiled eggs are horrible.)
Posted by Invisible Brainiac on :
I prefer cooking eggs and mixing the yolk into the meat, myself. Hmmm, I wonder how that would go over...
Posted by He Who Wanders on :
My girlfriend and I have twice gone to a local restaurant noted for its Meatloaf Benedicts. Both times, they were out of meatloaf!
Posted by Viridis Lament on :
quote:Originally posted by He Who Wanders: My girlfriend and I have twice gone to a local restaurant noted for its Meatloaf Benedicts. Both times, they were out of meatloaf!
Sounds like the first restuarant I cooked in. "Seafood Galley"...we ran out of fish almost every day.
Posted by He Who Wanders on :
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