Meatloaf

Word on the street is that Meatloaf is not glamorous. In detail I explained to Mitch how it’s such a shame that meatloaf isn’t considered fancy whereas its relative the meatball is given such better treatment and even considered a comfort food. And really they’re pretty much the same thing. Meatloaf is just a big ole’ meatball, I said. He listened silently and patiently, which I’m sure means I was impressing him with my thoughtful logic. And then I took a stand and made meatloaf from ground lamb and ground grass-fed beef to go with some cauliflower mash. A real meat and “potatoes” meal for us that we both liked…

Meatloaf, Spinach Salad, and Cauliflower Mash

You would think I would have been tired from my earlier speech, but I was able to get the energy together to explain to Mitch that I was physically not able to add cinnamon to meat and instead the garlic powder was calling to me from its alphabetized place on the spice shelf. So that’s the only change I made to TGIPaleo’s recipe (well, plus using less ground lamb because I was out of $$$$ and dropping the dates because I don’t do dates!).

So much to love about this big ole’ meatball: This meal was a great one to make early in the week to then have leftovers for lunch. Also, it only took about 5 minutes of hands-on prep work before putting it in the oven and moving on to other things. And I loved the addition of pine nuts for the flavor and to give a bit of texture.

An important note: Mitch said that when he took the meatloaf out of the oven he had to drain a lot of grease out. A LOT. Better out than in, I said while silently celebrating that he got stuck with that job…

Meatloaf

1 1/4 pounds ground lamb
1 1/4 pounds ground beef
3 eggs
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup pine nuts, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon all spice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a food processor (or by hand), chop the onion into small pieces. Add the pine nuts and pulse a few times so that the onions are diced and the pine nuts are chopped (but not pulverized!).

3. In a large bowl, combine the onions, pine nuts, eggs, cumin, all spice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the ground lamb and ground beef; mix well.

4. Press mixture into a loaf pan.

5. Bake the meatloaf at 375 degrees for 1 hour, 15 minutes or until done. Remove meatloaf from the oven (and drain as needed).

Source: slightly adapted from TGIPaleo