Meat Loaf with Variations

MEAT LOAF WITH VARIATIONS

6-8 SERVINGS

A basic recipe to change around as you wish.

1,5 pounds ground beef

1/2 pound ground pork

1/4 cup minced onion (1 small onion)

1 cup soft bread crumbs, rolled oats, crushed crackers, or cereal flakes

2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/2 cup diced celery, including tops (optional)

1/2 cup milk, water, stock, tomato juice, catsup, chili sauce, or red wine

Combine ingredients and turn into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350° F. for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Bacon strips may be laid across the top before baking.

FANCY DRESS FOR MEAT LOAF

Barbecued: Shape loaf in shallow baking pan. Spoon barbecue sauce over it at intervals during baking. lndividual loaves may be shaped.

Catsup or Chili Sauce Topped: Use another liquid in the loaf itself and pour 1 cup catsup or chili sauce over it before baking.

Cheese Topped: Lay slices of process Cheddar cheese over the top of the loaf 15 minutes before the end of baking.

Mushroom Meat Loaf: Add to the basic loaf 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sauteed in butter and chopped fine.

Peachy Meat Loaf: Pack mixture in 8-inch square pan, Make 6 indentations in surface and bake 35 minutes. Place a peach half in each hollow. Fill peach cups with catsup. Sprinkle surface of loaf with brown sugar and bake 25 minutes longer.

Potato Topped Loaf: Place loaf in square pan, spread with chili sauce, and bake 40 minutes. Pile on top 3 cups fluffy mashed potatoes and flute into ridges with tines of fork. Brush with butter. Return to oven for 20 minutes. Or bake loaf in square for 40 minutes, turn out on hat platter, cover with butter-brushed mashed potatoes, and broil a few minutes, just to heat through and brown lightly. Instant mashed potatoes are dandy for this purpose. You could beat in an egg.

Sausage Meat Loaf: Substitute bulk pork sausage for park, and use just 1 teaspoon salt.