Mom, Where's the Meatloaf?

Photo by Mary Diaz

The traditional American comfort is beginning to appear on the menus of upscale restaurants such as The Majestic. This recipe makes a very large batch so you may want to only make half of the recipe. This is one of the ultimate comfort foods and it is perfect for the winter season. This meatloaf recipe was featured on Capital Cooking's American Classics episode where Chef ‘Red’ Shannon Overmiller from the Majestic Restaurant joined me for simple American cuisine consisting of Mint Juleps, Fried Green Tomatoes, Meatloaf, and Strawberry Shortcake.

*Wine Pairing: Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Makes a 10 lb. batch
 

Ingredients:

5 lbs. ground beef

3 lbs. ground pork*

2 lb. ground veal

10 eggs

2-3 cups rolled oats

¼ c. Worcestershire sauce

1 c. rendered bacon fat

2 tblsp. Cayenne pepper

2 Tblsp. Dry thyme

Salt and black pepper, to taste

4 large onions, raw - brunnoise

2 tblsp. ketchup

1 tblsp. mustard

1 tblsp. chopped garlic

Ketchup glaze*

Meatloaf gravy*

Pre-heat oven to 350°. In a large mixing bowl, add all above ingredients and mix vigorously until well incorporated. Check seasoning by sautéing a small patty of meat to see if adjustment is necessary. Form into loafs in baking dish or sheet tray. Glaze or coat the loaf with the tomato glaze to cover completely. Bake uncovered until a temperature of 155° is achieved. Let cool, slice to desired thickness. Serve with whipped tomatoes and meatloaf gravy.

Ingredients for the Meatloaf Gravy:

Drippings of meatloaf

½ lb. butter

1 medium onion - small dice

½ c. flour

Chicken stock

2 c. Heavy cream

Thyme

Salt and black pepper

½ c. white wine

Fresh chopped parsley to garnish

In sauce pot add drippings from cooked meatloaf, and any end pieces, sauté with butter. Add onion, and allow to sweat out. Add flour, then cook flour out. Season with salt and black pepper. Deglaze with white wine. Add chicken stock to cover. Add fresh thyme, then simmer for 30 minutes. Finish with 2 cups heavy cream. Strain through fine strainer. Check consistency as it should coat the back of a spoon, and reduce if necessary. Adjust season, finish with parsley. 

Ingredients for House Cured Bacon:

20 lb. Pork belly

12 oz. salt

6 oz. brown sugar

2 oz. Instacure #1 or selrose

Rub - onion powder

dry thyme

dry sage

Mix dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Rub pork down heavily with mixture. Cover and set in refrigerated setting. Let rest 10 days pressed. Flip after 5 days.

(May increase or decrease amounts accordingly).

Ingredients for the Whipped Potatoes (Serves 8):

6 peeled Yukon gold potatoes, cut into rough one inch pieces

Salt to taste

½ lb. butter, cold, to taste

Heavy cream, for desired consistency

1 pinch nutmeg

Boil potatoes in salted water just to cover, making sure to start the potatoes in cold water, and bring up to the boil. When potatoes yield to a fork, they are ready to be strained. Place potatoes into a ricer to achieve fine smooth consistency (can also use electric hand held mixer or whisk). Replace potato pulp into the cooking pot to “dry-out.” This method is to cook slightly more dry so excess moisture is removed from the pulp thus giving a lighter, less gummy potato. Slowly add cold butter and cream to the potatoes off the heat, whipping with a spatula. You want a sort of emulsification. Add a pinch of nutmeg and salt to taste. Continue to add cream and butter until consistency and flavor achieved. Store in warm place for service.

Ingredients for the Tomato Glaze:

1 c. tomato paste

2 c. ketchup

½ c. dark corn syrup or molasses

2 tblsp. dark brown sugar

2 tblsp. white vinegar

2 tblsp. mustard ( of choice)

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients together to incorporate. Follow application directions in meatloaf.