Not a recipe, just an observation about meatloaf

I hated meatloaf too until I watched a chef on Youtube who was responsible for making meatloaf for inmates of a large US jail. The difference from his American meatloaf to my Aussie one is that he soaked bread in milk and boy what a difference, it was so moist and delicious.
Yes, absolutely. That is the best way to maintain moistness in a meatloaf. It really does make a HUGE difference. Not only that , but it keeps the meatloaf from crumbling when sliced.
PS: meatloaf should rest for 10-15 minutes after coming out of the oven BEFORE slicing it.
 

Meatloaf is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. After the initial meal, the leftovers are meant to become meatloaf sandwiches. Meatloaf for supper is fine; meatloaf sandwiches are as close to heaven as I expect to be.
Meatloaf for breakfast sounds super. I made soup from the last of my garden zucchini onions beef bouillon cubes and tomatoes. Beautiful for supper then breakfast.
 
he soaked bread in milk and boy what a difference, it was so moist and delicious.
This is how I make meat loaf and meatballs.^^

"So what is a panade? It’s simply bread, or bread crumbs, moistened with dairy (milk or cream), water, or stock. You can either use a lot of liquid and squeeze most of it out, or use just enough to moisten. Then add this to your ground meat mixture, and shape/cook as usual."

"When meat is exposed to heat, the proteins and fibers contract, or tighten. If you’ve ever noticed a pork chop curl, or another piece of meat seem to almost lift up in the saute pan, that’s the tightening I’m referring to. The panade interrupts this process, so the meat can cook without pulling together and tightening."

from:
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-a-panade/
 
@Aunt Bea , I remember those square meatballs as well. lol

Sometimes my mom would stretch the meat by adding 3 hardboiled eggs down the middle and bake as usual. She called them eyeballs because that's what it looked like when the loaf was cut.

When I was in high school I always took my lunch. My mom bought a clear heavy plastic container the exact size of a sandwich that was popular back then.
The day after we had meatloaf she would make me a meatloaf sandwich which I loved. I kept the container with a rubber band around it in my large handbag. No refrigeration or fancy ice packs back then.
As it got closer to lunch I would see that sandwich staring at me in my open handbag.
I would drool just waiting for it.
I think if someone tried to snatch it they would have lost a limb.
 
Years ago there was a restaurant chain called Homestyle Buffet.

They used to serve meatloaf as a weekly special.

The leftovers appeared the next day as meatloaf parmigiana, slabs of leftover meatloaf topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese.

We used to laugh and make fun of it but it was actually quite good.
 
My mom used the Quaker Oats recipe for meatloaf. She covered it with a thick layer of catsup. I do that, too. She soaked the oatmeal in milk, as I recall. I don't do that, but I'm going to try it.
Meatloaf for breakfast sounds super. I made soup from the last of my garden zucchini onions beef bouillon cubes and tomatoes. Beautiful for supper then breakfast.
I made a large salad for breakfast a couple of months ago. Oddly, it didn't feel strange to be eating salad for breakfast. I got 4 of my preferred 9 veggie servings all in one swoop. I should do that again. Your soup sounds delicious. I love to make and eat homemade soup.
 
Agreed. Whenever I make meatballs for spaghetti, I always make plenty extra so that I can make hot meatball subs, heavy on the mozzarella.
There is a restaurant here called Firehouse Subs (I think). I've never been there, but my daughter orders them for us on Door Dash. They make the best meatball subs I have ever tasted. When I eat them, I always feel a squinch of "what are you doing, eating food you can easily make for yourself, and cheaper, too".
 
Two days ago I was up at night, due to pain, and made my first Italian style meatloaf. I was going to make many meatballs, but couldn't face more pain, so shortcutted it by making the meatloaf.

Through the years I've made meatloaves Chinese, Mexican, German, BBQ. etc. just using various spices and herbs, sauces, etc. I don't measure the additions, I eyeball and most of the time it turns out fine. Never had to throw any of them into the garbage.

Anyway, at 6am the meatloaf was finished baking. At 7am I cut a slice and had it with some of my leftover spaghetti. Excellent.

Radish Rose said, "I don't believe that breakfast or supper are foods. They're just meals." So true.
 
Meatloaf is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. After the initial meal, the leftovers are meant to become meatloaf sandwiches. Meatloaf for supper is fine; meatloaf sandwiches are as close to heaven as I expect to be.
Wow, so many comments about meatloaf! Bet you didn't expect all these responses! ☺️
 


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