From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaves…the best!
So I was looking for a great fun delicious dish for kicking off the Father’s Day Weekend. What guy doesn’t love meatloaf? Okay can we be honest? If you are not a vegetarian, the chances are great that you love meatloaf. So here is the recipe I love, a basic old world meatloaf, packaged in a mini individual loaf and wrapped in bacon that crisps (with the help of The Amazing Rub) and just sets this dish off!
We are gluten-free on this recipe, because way back when, the Frenchies in my neck of the woods always made meatloaf or meatballs with oatmeal that had been ground…a little like an oat flour.
So tender, so delicious….hope you enjoy! My plating suggestion is the perfect baked potato, maple glazed carrots and KB’s Spicy Ketchup (recipe also below)!
SERVES: 6
LEVEL: Intermediate – you got this!
INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup of your favorite medium chunky salsa
2 ½ pounds of ground beef/pork (I like 1 ½# beef, 1 # pork)
1 cup instant oatmeal, I like to buzz in blender to make finer grounds
2 large eggs, beaten with fork
½ C parmesan, or your favorite finely ground cheese
6 thin strips of bacon
2 Tbsp of The Amazing Herbes (this is all flavor)
2 Tbsp of The Amazing Rub (this will enhance and crisp the bacon)
*Options: Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce and 1 tsp beef bouillon or concentrate (These last 2 ingredients are optional, but I always include!)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat olive oil and sauté chopped onion over med-low heat for about 8 minutes, at the finish add the 2 Tbsp of the Amazing Herbes to allow spices to blossom and warm. Set aside.
In large bowl add ground beef/pork mixture, add onion mixture, salsa, oatmeal, beaten eggs, cheese, and the optional ingredients if desired. Use a fork to toss and mix, careful not to over mix and do not compress – better to toss to create the tenderness desired. This mixture can be divided in 6 with 1 generous cup of meat mixture each, and should create 6 mini meatloafs. Use mini loaf pans, or just form mini loaves. When formed loaves, wrap each loaf in the bacon strip and sprinkle the loaf and especially bacon with the Amazing Rub. (This again helps that great taste and crispness of the bacon wrap). Bake for 45 minutes until cooked through. Serve hot or cold, and kick up your Ketchup as described below!
SAUCE
KB’S Spicy Ketchup
1 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp The Amazing Rub
1 tsp Blazing Belle…it’s our heat, folks
1-2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Combine all ingredients in a small glass bowl, and heat in microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each 30 seconds until hot.
Now that will wake the plate up!
