Thought I would add this (one of my old Facebook Notes) to illustrate the recipe above and add a few little things.
Over The Top Meatloaf
Everybody and their aunt has a meatloaf recipe. Alton Brown, Pioneer Woman, my Aunt Patsy ...
I usually throw a few things together and don't worry too much. However, I wanted to combine a few tricks I've picked up from different sources and use them all in a definitive meat loaf.
Ingredients:
2.5 pounds Boston blend ground meat (60% beef, 40% pork)
1 large onion diced fine
a stalk of celery diced very fine
a carrot diced very fine
4 large button mushrooms diced very fine
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon Old Bay
1 teaspoon Cavenders Greek seasoning
1 large egg beaten
1/4 cup plain yoghurt
large splash Worcestershire sauce
1 cup panko
1 Tablespoon olive oil
First Loaf Paint and Wrap:
1 or 2 Tablespoons Yellow mustard
6 strips thin sliced bacon
Second Loaf Paint:
1/2 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 rounded Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
sriracha or Franks Hot Sauce to taste
Method
Do your vegetable dicing or throw it in a food processor and pulse until diced fine (don't make a paste!)
Gently saute the vegetables in the olive oil until translucent. Add half the Old Bay, Cavenders, salt, and pepper as they sweat.
Allow the vegetables to cool to room temp and place in a large bowl. Add the panko and mix. Combine the yoghurt, Worcestershire sauce, Franks, and the beaten egg and mix. Add that to the vegetables and panko. Add the ground meat and mix without compacting the mixture. I use my bare hands because my fingers can break apart the lumps as I mix. Season with the remaining Old Bay and Cavenders. Put a piece of parchment on a tray pan and place the meat mixture in the middle. Gently shape a rectangle loaf without pressing the meat tightly together. Use a pastry brush to paint the outside of the loaf with yellow mustard. Lay the bacon strips side by side over the loaf and tuck the ends in.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake 30 minutes. Paint the exterior with the second loaf paint and bake until done, approximately 30 minutes more. Remove from the oven and paint the loaf once more and rest 15 minutes before slicing.