Growing up, I didn't care too much for meatloaf. It was just so poor. I was convinced that only poor families ate meatloaf. We had it at our table a lot; I vowed that when I grew up, I would never eat meatloaf again.
And so for a long time, I didn't eat it, wouldn't even consider it. I can remember being appalled that people would actually order meatloaf in a restaurant. I don't recall when I came off my high mountain and joined the common folk, but I know that I've missed some mighty good eating. And made right, I would certainly serve it to company. This is a recipe I have served to company. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor speaks volumes.
Ole Sweetie-Pi and I agree: we love this meatloaf. If your preference is savory, you may not care for this as the sauce is definitely sweet, but that just satisfies my sweet tooth.
Once again, I fall back on one of my favorite cookbooks by Marcia Adams, New Recipes From Quilt Country.
Meatloaf with Sweet & Sour Sauce
Sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Meatloaf
2 eggs, beaten
2 small onions, finely diced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup cracker or unflavored bread crumbs
2 pounds lean ground beef
Preheat oven to 350 F.
To make the sauce: thoroughly combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
To make the meat loaf: In a large bowl, add the beaten eggs, half the sauce, and the remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly using a large spoon, (or if you're not squeamish, your hands) until all ingredients are well combined.
Dump the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Firmly pat the mixture into a loaf shape, leaving room all around it so any cooking fat can be easily removed.
Bake for 40 minutes. Pour the remaining sauce over the top of the loaf and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from the oven and allow to rest for 5 or 10 minutes before serving.
Depending on appetites, this will serve 6 or 8. It makes a mighty fine meatloaf sandwich too.
I just replied to Dishy's blog about "meatloaf", I have never made one I've been happy with, and now I have two to try! Thank you, friend. Kathye
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an awesome meatloaf.. so delicious.. I love the sweet and sour glaze, perfect comfort food.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way years ago about not liking meatloaf, but now I cook it often. I haven't tried it with a sweet sauce, but it sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried a meatloaf with a sauce like this but it definitely sounds good. In our family, meatloaf in a sandwich the next day is like a delicacy!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a classic! I love meatloaf. xox
ReplyDeleteI would make this meatloaf without hesitating. Most Amish recipes are outstanding but nee more salt. You've created a lovely and unique blog. I'll be visiting a lot more often.
ReplyDeleteI love meatloaf! I'll have to give the sweet/sour sauce a try.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I always felt similarly about meatloaf -- but have recently begun to change my tune. Creativity and meatloaf go hand in hand... and I think this is a nice example. I'll bet the sweet & sour sauce makes this something special.
ReplyDeleteThe meatloaf looks very good. I grew up having a lot of meatloaf also and it was not one of my favorites. Now I make it once in a while and have found it's pretty versatile....I like to make it differently each time!
ReplyDeleteI love meatloaf like this. Unfortunately, Grumpy doesn't like the sweet. Sometimes I make it this way to please myself though and he just has to deal. ha.
ReplyDeleteMy internet has been spotty and I am so far behind in my blog reading!
I need to try this recipe. I have a horrible time finding a meatloaf recipe that the kids will eat. Hubby loves it but the kids.... So I'll be making this one this week!
ReplyDeleteWe like this meatloaf a lot. I also like the non-sweet kind (though I tend to fall back on this one far more often; I have that sweet tooth thing going on!).
ReplyDeleteI have another meatloaf recipe I'm going to post "some day" that's much different than this one. Not even a little bit sweet.
As Debbie said, they are pretty versatile and I'm always looking at everybody's recipes as well.
Kathye, Bunny, if you try this I hope you drop me a line and let me know what you thought of it. I enjoy hearing other people's opinions!
I so welcome all your visits and comments. You all make this fun for me. Thank you so much!
First of all, thanks for stopping by my blog. I don't get many comments so it is nice to have a 'chat' once in awhile. I suppose I would just cook and cook anyway...my blog is more of a cooking journal than anything. Grin. I love your meatloaf. As many of your readers say....we probably all grew up with foods like this...then spurned them,....then realized how good homecooked food really was...is! Especially nowadays with everything being sooo very expensive, I think we can certainly learn from our parents. I like this recipe...I make almost the exact same loaf...sometimes using pickle juice instead of the cider vinegar if I have saved the empty jar. I've never used nutmeg before though and I think that is certainly worthy of a try! Happy Sunday....have a good week ahead.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone goes through the anti-meatloaf stage. I grew up with it but refused to make it when I left home. I married a man who LOVES meatloaf, so guess what? I make it a lot! Your recipe sounds delish, a nice change of pace from traditional meatloaf.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to strawberry cake. It's amazing how it uses many of the same ingredients in the recipe I tried, except everything is in different proportion. I'm going to give it a try. I love the Pink Princess name for the cake, don't you?
Katy, The chocolate malt cheesecake was a wow! I need a new camera so I couldn;t take a picture...but it was like a professional. I was so proud!!
ReplyDeletethis sounds really good. I will be giving it a try... :)
ReplyDeleteSo cool - that's the sauce I use on my meatloaf, too! Mom made it all the time as I was growing up and now hubby likes it. I have to make a HUGE meatloaf since he wants leftovers for sandwiches. He says that's the best sandwich in the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is how I make my meatloaf too (except I use ground turkey most of the time). Very good! I haven't made it in a while and you just reminded me of how good it is so I am going to make it this week.
ReplyDeleteKaty thank you for sending me a link for this! I've bookmarked and will be making it:)
ReplyDeleteKaty I made this lastnight and it was a HUGE success!! The topping is so so soooo good and the meat itself is so moist and has such a wonderful flavor. I posted the recipe on my blog:) Thank you so much for a recipe that we will use time and again!
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