Cold and rainy days call for comfort food, and meatloaf is just that. A few years ago, I had a random hankering for some, so I reviewed a few recipes, tinkered with ingredients, and, lo and behold, made the moistest and tastiest meatloaf in all the land. In an effort to preserve the meal, I wrote the recipe down, which means it’s really special because, I mean, who really has time for that?

A few things to note first. When I say “finely mince your veggies,” I’m placing a large emphasis on “finely.” No one wants to bite into large chunks of carrot and celery. If someone says otherwise, that person shouldn’t be your friend and you shouldn't be cooking for them. Also, sweat the mirepoix. Sweating vegetables draws out their moisture, evenly softens them, and builds flavor. Again, no one wants to bite down on crunchy vegetables in a moist, soft meatloaf, so take extra care during this step. Finally, use all of the homemade sauce and slather the heck out of the top of the meatloaf. Once you taste that caramelized sauce on the meat and mashed potatoes, you’ll thank me. Oh, and if you’re thinking of eating this with anything other than mashed potatoes, please don’t.

This recipe calls for one loaf; however, I like to double it, since I’m already doing the hard work of mincing and sweating (the vegetables that is). I give away and freeze the surplus, which blesses others and future me. Win, win.

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MEATLOAF RECIPE

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil

• Mirepoix of 1 small onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1/2 cup of green onions, finely minced

• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced

• 1 1/2 TSP of salt

• 1/2 TSP of pepper

• 2 TSP of Worcestershire sauce

• 3 TBS of tomato paste

• 1 lb of ground beef

• 1 lb of pork sausage (like Jimmy Dean)

• 1/2 lb of ground turkey

• 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs

• 1 egg

• 1/3 cup of chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.

2. Sweat all vegetables except parsley until very tender.

3. Add salt and pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Let cool.

4. Mix in all other ingredients and place into loaf pan.

5. Top with the homemade glaze (see below for recipe) and bake for 1 hour.

6. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

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MEATLOAF GLAZE RECIPE

(Smitten Kitchen Recipe)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of tomato paste

• 2 TBS of apple cider vinegar

• 2 TSP of honey

• 2 TSP of Worcestershire sauce

• 1 TBS of dijon mustard

• 1/4 TSP of salt

• 4 TSP of vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a heatproof pot and simmer, whisking for 2 minutes.

2. Top meatloaf with all of the sauce.