The Best Meatloaf Ever. Even for Meatloaf Haters.

   
 
I hate meatloaf. Hate upon hate upon hate. When I think of meatloaf, I think of the dry, strange meatloaf from my youth (sorry, Mom).  Meatloaf is Public Enemy #2 in my kitchen, right there behind cilantro.

The sad thing is, Jack loves it.  We were out at a popular sandwich place in NY a few weeks back, and Jack was deciding between a chicken cutlet sandwich or a meatloaf sandwich. 

"Which should I get," he asked me, while staring up at the board. "Meatloaf or Chicken Cutlet?"

"MEATLOAF?!" I exclaimed. "That's disgusting. Chicken cutlet." The Italian in me would never let Jack pass up a chicken cutlet sandwich. Especially because I was getting a salad and I wanted a bite.

Jack looked at me incredulously. "I love meatloaf," he defended.  But as a good boyfriend, he got the chicken cutlet. 

Fast forward to a few weeks later.  I was in my kitchen, trying to decide what to make for dinner. I wanted to make something simple and delicious, and I was stumped.  I opened up some of my favorite recipe sites for some inspiration.  There, on the first page, was a large picture of meatloaf.  I clicked right past it, not even giving it a moments thought.  Then, I stopped myself from clicking any further. 

Let me try the meatloaf, I thought to myself. It'll make Jack's night.

The meatloaf is a delicious combination of pork, veal, and beef flavored by a sauteed mix of celery, carrots and onions, robust garlic, (or as we in the food world like to say, a mirepoix) Worcestershire sauce (I love saying that word), cider vinegar, spicy cloves, plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and parsley. Prunes and bacon are also listed in the recipe, but I left them out.  The last time I made Jack something with prunes in it he almost spit it out, and I forgot the bacon. 

I served it alongside mashed potatoes, but I did something along the way that made them go beyond mashed and turned them ultra-creamy and dense.  I almost threw out the mixture, but it was actually delicious. I have no idea what I did. I boiled the potatoes for an hour, peeled them, put them in my food processor (I like to do that to get very creamy mashed potatoes) and processed with some milk and salt. I must have processed way too long, but I loved the outcome. 

When it was time to serve dinner, Jack still had no idea what I was making. When I put down the plate above on the table, he almost jumped for joy. When he tasted it, he did jump for joy. Then I tasted the smallest piece, wondering if this was any good.

Not only was it good, it was delicious.  It was out of this world. And not, I wish I could throw this meatloaf into outer space out of this world. It was out of this world good. 

Maybe I'm a meatloaf convert? 

Maybe only with this meatloaf. 

The Best Meatloaf Ever adapted from Epicurious

• 1 cup fine fresh bread crumbs (from 2 slices firm white sandwich bread)
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium celery rib, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 pounds ground mix beef chuck, pork, and veal
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

Soak bread crumbs in milk in a large bowl.

Meanwhile, cook onion, garlic, celery, and carrot in butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low, then cook until carrot is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, allspice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Add to bread-crumb mixture.

Finely chop bacon and prunes in a food processor, then add to onion mixture along with beef, pork, eggs, and parsley and mix together with your hands.

Pack mixture into a 9- by 5-inch oval loaf in a 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish or pan.

Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatloaf registers 155°F, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Comments

[Kristen]

Like you, the meatloaf of my youth was quite repulsive and usually it called for a layer of ketchup on top (my public enemy #1).
As I got older though, I began to think of meatloaf as just a larger version of a meatball. Obviously the quality of the meat and good seasoning make all of the difference (as does not over mixing). Using the three types of meat here really must make for a delicious meatloaf and I am glad you like it now!

[Jessie]

wow I cannot believe you hated meatloaf! I do not like meatloaf that is bland and dry. I know how you feel.

I have always loved meatloaf and over the years I have tweaked my meatloaf recipe and it is absolutely tasty. This recipe is definitely something different because I have never seen prunes being added into a meat dish.

[Nicole]

My mom always hated meatloaf, so I was never exposed to it dry or otherwise. My husband loves it, though and I've tried making different versions to ensure a tasty one. This one sounds like a winner!

[Mireya]

Looks tasty! I've added pork sausage to it which gives it a really good flavor too!

[Katie @ cozydelicious]

Oooh, I have never had allspice in meatloaf. It sounds yummy! I usually make a spicy meatloaf with chipotle salsa in the mix and smeared on top - because I too have a huge fear of icky dry meatloaf. The salsa does the trick, but, of course, it has to be really, really good salsa if you want really good meatloaf.

[Jennifer]

I'm very excited about this meatloaf, since it doesn't contain tomatoes...YAY!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[Eliana]

It's gonna take a whole lot to make me a meatloaf convert. Maybe I'll get won over with this one. And processing your potatos....I'm gonna try that soon. There is nothing better than super creamy mashed potatos.

[Raffaela]

yea my mom's meatloaf is too dry hence not allowing me to enjoy it... this recipe looks yummyyyy i may be a meatloaf convert as well

[jenn (Bread + Butter)]

Hehehe...I love meatloaf, but the Filipino version of meatloaf. I'll have to make that sometime. See it only takes one recipe to convert people to the meatloaf side of things. It ain't so bad. ;-D Besides, you did a great job with it. ;-D

[Cheri]

Wow! That sounds unbelievably delicious. James hates meatloaf as well.. maybe I can convert him with this recipe. :)

[DailyChef]

Meatloaf can range so widely - I've had some terrible ones and some wonderful ones. This looks like one of the wonderful ones! Will have to try this variation next time I want a filling meal.

[grace]

my favorite part about meatloaf is generally the ketchup on top. how sad. this recipe is very interesting--the allspice appeals to me.

[Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction]

I actually like meatloaf... This recipe looks great! I think the key is adding lots of flavorful ingredients to flavor the meat mixture and keep everything moist. If you like this, you should try Ina Garten's turkey meatloaf... http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/turkey-meatloaf-recipe/index.html

I usually make half the recipe (or even a quarter) and use BBQ sauce on top (homemade if I have the time/energy).

[missfoxxxxxxx]

Cilantro is your public enemy #1? Mine, too! For the past several years it seems like I can't escape from its popularity. It's everywhere! The meatloaf recipe looks really good and unique. Now that you've gotten over your meatloaf hatred, maybe you can move on to the next step: the cold meatloaf sandwich made from the leftovers for lunch the next day, (with mustard). Yum.

[Amanda]

oh thank you! i've been dying to try a "real" meatloaf recipe forever. I've been using the McCormick seasoning packet FOREVER and while I like it, I've always wanted a from scratch recipe. Most of them use ketchup, but this doesn't!

So glad you are a convert too :)

[Natasha - 5 Star Foodie]

Sounds like an excellent meatloaf recipe! I like the mix of ground meats here!

[Sugar B]

You're such a good gf! Ryan, my hubs, would actually just order off of our home menu.

"What would you like to eat tonight, honey?"

"Um, I would like grilled Vietnamese chicken with a side of dumplings."

Yes, really. That is THE secret to a happy marriage. HIS happy belly.

I will definitely have to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing, DAHLING!

[Mary]

Thanks for sharing!

[Maria]

I never liked meatloaf as a kid either, for the same reasons you didn't (and my mom made it pretty regularly)!

I have been itching to make a good meatloaf myself though. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

[Amanda]

Hey chickie :) I linked to this post from here http://www.amandascookin.com/2010/02/best-meatloaf-recipe-ever.html I haven't made your recipe yet, but your post played a part in mine ;)