Mike's Secret Meat Loaf recipe

Well, secret no more, perhaps, but relatively secret as far as the intended audience for this dish: finicky, younger diners. If they knew raw onion- and a pretty hefty amount- went into this, along with whole grain crackers and- gulp!- an egg- it would probably be a hard sell. But maybe I am underestimating my dear children. I'm pretty sure all of them have seen the meat loaf in the process of being made and have yet to make a comment- not one declaration of "gross!" In any event, meat loaf is a great way to bring some healthy ingredients into a kid's diet with practically no objections.

Mike's Secret Meat Loaf recipe

Ingredients

1/2 -3/4 lb ground sirloin
1/2- 3/4 lb ground turkey
(note: just as long as they are about the same)
1 small-medium onion, chopped
1 small carrot, sliced or diced, doesn't matter
whole grain crackers or crisp bread- I use Ryvita or multigrain saltines
1 egg
3 tbl worcestershire sauce
a hearty slather or squirt of dijon mustard
ketchup
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.

whizz enough crackers in the food processor to make about a cup of crumbs. I have to say I don't have a precise measurement here, just eyeball it.

Now, combine the onion and carrot in the processor and pulse until finely chopped. You may have to mash the stuff down several times- the objective, especially with the carrot, is as close to pulp as possible.

Mix the onions and carrots with the crumbs in a bowl. add an egg, mustard and worcestershire. Toss in a couple pinches of kosher salt and several grinds of fine black pepper, and the garlic powder. Mix with a spoon until consistent throughout.

Add the turkey and beef. Sorry, there is no avoiding it- the best way to do this is with your hands. Wash up, roll up your sleeves and get into it. it must be thoroughly combined, but not compacted too harshly. Use your fingers, not your palms. I've tried processing it all together in the cuisinart and really just don't like the texture- too fine and even and tough, rather like an overcooked hot dog. Yuck. Hand mixed is best.

Plop it into a loaf pan. Gently pat the top down until flat. paint on a layer of ketchup with a basting brush. Bake on the center rack of your oven 25-35 mins, depending on the shape of your pan. Ours is an older, smaller loaf pan, which means it's a deeper loaf. It takes about 35 mins.

This never fails to be a crowd pleaser. This time we served it with haricots verts (small, pleasantly mild green beans) and roasted whole carrots- which Louis loved along with the grownups. He's becoming a young man! All in all, a delicious, hearty meal. Hope it becomes a hit with your family too.