Sundried Tomato Meatloaf

 

I was inspired to cook this meal when I was talking to my friend Michelle. She made mashed potatoes and meatloaf for dinner the other night and I really got a taste for it! I decided with this super-cold weather, a meal of stodgy comfort food was just the ticket! I got this recipe from "Canadian Living" years ago and love it so much that it has become a family favourite!

 

The beauty of this meatloaf is that it tastes fantastic in a sandwich as well as on the dinner plate, owing to its bold flavours.

 

 

SUN-DRIED TOMATO MEAT LOAF

 Ingredients:

1 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive)

1 1/2 cups of thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps or white mushrooms

1/2 cup minced onion

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 free-range egg

1/2 cup panko or regular bread crumbs

1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves

1/4 tsp each, salt and black pepper

1lb of organic ground pork or beef

1/4 cup chili sauce or ketchup

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves 

• Heat oven to 375F. In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and stir fry onions, mushrooms, celery and garlic. Stir occasionally until softened. Add balsamic vinegar and stir until evaporated; about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl using a fork, beat the egg. Add the breadcrumbs (I use panko crumbs because I really enjoy the crispiness of them), tomatoes, 1/2 tsp thyme, salt and pepper. Mix in the mushroom mixture and then add the meat. Combine well.
• Pack mixture into a loaf pan (1.5L), mounding in the middle.
• In a small bowl, combine chili sauce, Dijon mustard and 1/4 tsp of dried thyme; spread over the top of the meatloaf.
• * At this point you can cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours*
• Place in oven and bake until a meat thermometer registers 170F (approximately 50 mins.). Let stand for 5 mins. before slicing and serving.

 

I really think that you will enjoy this updated version of an old classic - the flavours are bold and the sauce is really savoury!! ENJOY!