When I'm feeling nostalgic and craving Mom's good old-fashioned meat loaf, this is my go-to recipe. It's comfort food at its best.
Makes 6 servings
Cooking spray
Tequila ketchup:
1 cup organic ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon tequila
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
Meat loaf:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, grated (about 3/4 cup)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound ground turkey breast
2 large eggs
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
3/4 teaspoon salt
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. To make the Tequila Ketchup, combine the ketchup, vinegar, tequila, Worcestershire sauce, and chipotle powder in a small bowl until blended. Set aside.
3. To make the meat loaf, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, chili powder, chipotle powder, cumin, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the cilantro. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Add the beef, turkey, eggs, bread crumbs, salt, and ½ cup of the ketchup mixture, mixing lightly just until blended.
4. Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and form into a 6 × 9-inch loaf. Spread the remaining ketchup mixture over the top of the loaf. Bake until an Instant Read Thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf registers 160°F, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.
Image via Ingrid Hoffman
*Recipe used with permission.
