Mixing Up Your Meatloaf
For the many who have grown up on Sunday night meatloaf, they know exactly what their “perfect” meatloaf should taste like. Meatloaf is one of the most celebrated comfort foods out there, which is why we have dedicated an entire post to this delicious dish! For those who already know what their perfect meatloaf is, you can still make it using your old family recipe, but remember that there is always room to make your own meatloaf that your kiddies can pledge their loyalty to too!
The major components that go into making a meatloaf are: the meat, veggies, liquid, seasoning, and filler. Let’s start with largest piece of the dish: the meat. There are so many options to choose from when looking at what ground meat from which you’ll compose your masterpiece! While some choose an all-beef loaf because it retains its shape easily when cut into, others have suggested that combining ground chicken, sausage-meat, or both, to the mixture will soften the meat and make it less chewy.
Another important part to consider is the filler, or what keeps the meat from coming apart. While some will use plain bread crumbs in their loaves, others will use grains such as barley, oatmeal, and flaxseed. There are endless healthy possibilities!
Next come the veggies, and in this category it is completely a taste issue. Some praise spinach as the ultimate addition because of the way it breaks up the meat, helps to retain moisture, and complement’s the density of the meat with its delicate texture. Others will add veggies like onions, mushrooms, and peppers to their dishes.
Similarly, people will always add some sort of liquid to the mix to both help bind the meat together and make it nice and moist. Many swear by stock as a great liquid that accomplishes these two goals extremely well, while others will use milk or beaten eggs to do the trick.
Last but not least, seasoning is a very important component. Some will use curry powder, chili sauce, Dijon mustard, Worchester sauce, thyme, parsley, garlic, cheese, salsa, onion or a homemade sweet and sour ketchup glaze will always do the trick! There are lots of possibilities of recipes to play the mix and match game with and come up with your own special lovely loaves!
Whatever you find that you like in terms of meat, veggies, liquid, seasoning, and filler, have fun with mixing your meatloaves and be adventurous! Try a bunch of different combinations and have the kiddie’s help you mix the ingredients together and spread them into a pan for some added family fun and delicious time!
From our kitchen to yours…… Enjoy!
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Cheers,
Chef Lisa Ruscica
Chief Food Ambassador