Ask Dr. LJ: Meatloaf!

[saxikath]

I found an herb mix that, on smelling, made me think immediately of either meatballs or meatloaf. So I want to make meatloaf, something I think I've done maybe once.

Other than the meat and seasonings (and things like onion and garlic), what do you put in meatloaf? Bread crumbs? egg? Something else?

Comments

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Both egg and breadcrumbs, actually. But go light on the breadcrumbs, I say.

[saxikath]

Fresh or dried breadcrumbs?

[ex-colorwhe.livejournal.com]

i like fresh.

also, not too light -- otherwise the final texture will be just like hamburger.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

For a pound of ground beef:

1 cup of oats
small can of tomato paste
an egg or two

I like to add worchestershire sauce with the seasoning. Sometimes I've added shredded carrot.

[tenwii.livejournal.com]

I second the oatmeal---makes it less mooshy than with breadcrumbs. Better texture I think. I also second the Worceshire sauce and one egg. My mom's meatloaf is my FAVORITE food EVER and this is what she does.

J

[jayfurr.livejournal.com]

http://www.furrs.org/recipes/meatloaf.htm

[crossfire.livejournal.com]

Fresh chopped parsley. And fresh grated parmesan.

If you're going the all-beef route, I recommend skipping the breadcrumbs and going for a panade: take three slices of white bread, crusts torn off. Tear into pieces and mix with 1/3 cup buttermilk. Mash with a fork and let sit, mashing occasionally, until a smooth paste forms, about 15 minutes. This should make enough panade for a good-sized meatloaf; you may not need it all if you're making a smaller batch.

If you're doing the traditional beef/pork/veal mixture, fresh breadcrumbs are fine.

[42itous.livejournal.com]

I use a cup of oats, a package of frozen chopped spinach, some shredded carrots... an egg... and usually ground turkey. Other people's meatloaves sound yummier than mine, but I bet mine's the healthiest.