The Holidays are coming but for now it's all about Meat Loaf.-

Yes, not too much time left before the holidays will be upon us. Have you decided on your Holiday Meals? Whatever your thoughts or inclinations special food brings memories, nostalgia and creates traditions. I'm still in the process of sorting out our holiday meals for several important dates: Xmas Eve, Xmas Day, Ricardo's B'day on the 28th and finally New Year's Eve and NewYear's Day..... but for now we will focus on the tried and true, good old American Comfort Food staple which is Meat Loaf.

Don't let anyone tell you that there is a definite recipe for this old standby, through the years many additions and versions have evolved so no matter your taste, there is one out there just for you, or better yet, create your original masterpiece. For the most part I look at Meat Loaf as a kind of "whatever is around" kind of dish which makes do, lessens waste and the result is something the whole family can love. Cool, huh?

Let's start with the basics. There are only a few: Meat - eggs - a binder - seasonings, all else is optional and left to your taste. You can use one type of meat or several. I like mixing hot Italian Sausage with ground beef. Experiment with meats, as long as they're ground, they're cool.  The eggs? About 2 large eggs per 2 lbs of meat. Binders can be crumbs of toasted bread, prepared, saltines, Ritz... you get the idea.

We'll start with a good all around Meat Loaf, ok? If there is an ingredient you don't like, leave it off. If you don't care for ketchup you can use another type of sauce like Marinara, green sauce, etc.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup of minced onion
• 1 celery rib, minced
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 carrot, cut fine
• 1/2 cup of minced green onion, including the onion greens
• 1-2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2/3 cup ketchup, divided 1/3 and 1/3
• 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef (chuck)
• 3/4 pound of spicy ground pork sausage or Italian sausage (a mix of sweet and hot if you are using links)
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 2 large eggs, beaten slightly
• 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley leaves

1- Preheat oven to 350° F, with a rack in the middle.

2- In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter on medium heat until foamy. Add the minced onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the carrots are tender, stirring occasionally. Add the salt, freshly ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/3 a cup of the ketchup. Cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and let cool to the touch.

3- In a large bowl, use your clean hands to combine the ground beef, spicy ground pork sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, the cooked vegetables from step 2, and parsley.

4- Press mixture into a loaf pan with 2-inch high sides, or form the mixture into a free standing loaf and place in a rimmed roasting pan. Cover the loaf with the remaining ketchup.

5- Bake the meatloaf in a 350°F oven for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 155°F. Let rest for 10 minutes. Then gently remove by lifting with a spatula to a serving plate, and slice to serve.

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Cupcake Chicken Meat Loaves.-  Little tasty tidbits.....

Ingredients 

• 1 
  cup panko
• 1/2 
  cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 
  tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 
  egg
• 1 
  pound ground chicken
• 1/2 
  cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 
  cup diced white onion
• 2 
  cloves garlic, minced
• 1 
  tablespoon dried oregano
• 6 
  fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1 
  pinch salt and pepper
• 16 
  small mozzarella cubes, cut from a block
• 2 
  cups marinara sauce

• Preheat oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, combine the panko, half of the Parmesan cheese, and the olive oil. Using your fingers, combine the mixture until it's evenly coated. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, lightly beat the egg. Then add the chicken, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, oregano, the remaining Parmesan, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands. Lightly coat a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Place a couple of tablespoons of the chicken mixture in each well. Nestle a cube of mozzarella in the center of the mixture. Pat the chicken over the cheese to completely cover it.
• Sprinkle the panko/Parmesan mixture on top of each chicken mound, lightly pressing it into the meat.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the panko is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. If needed, you may broil the panko to further brown it.
• Let rest 5 minutes. Then using a knife, lightly loosen each cupcake from the muffin tin.  In the meantime, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan.

Serve meatloaf cupcakes with warmed marinara on top or in a small bowl for dipping.

Note.- If you make each step in advance so all that's left is filling the molds, you can make a large quantity for a group. Would be great on a buffet or cocktail party.

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I have some serious menu planning to do with my guys, don't like to leave things until the last minute so I have time to shop and prepare. A big item will be trying to decide which favorites to put on our dessert table.....  So many choices, such great flavors! Check this space..... Ciao!