Meatloaf has long been a standard main dish in America, and according to John Mariani in "Encyclopedia of American Food And Drink," was first seen in print as early as 1899. For many, meat loaf is an ultimate comfort food, bringing back pleasant childhood memories of family meals.
There are many ways to cut the calories and enhance the flavor of ordinary meatloaf, from tasty additions to spicy toppings. Ground round is a great choice if you're using beef for your meatloaf, since excess fat in fattier ground meats is absorbed by breadcrumbs. Use soft bread crumbs in place of dry for a moister meatloaf, or substitute grated potato or carrots for a portion of the meat, which will also eliminate some of the calories. Baking the meatloaf on a rack will keep it out of the fatty drippings. Sharon Tyler Herbst, author of "The Food Lover's Tiptionary," describes a method for making your own meat loaf pan by piercing holes in an inexpensive loaf pan then setting it on a rack in a larger baking pan.
Another great thing about meatloaf is that you can bake it in the oven, microwave, electric roaster, or crock pot. Truly, the only limit is your imagination!
If Mom's basic meatloaf has lost its appeal, try one of this week's featured recipes
or create your own with some of the tips below.
Enjoy!
Tips and flavor-enhancing ideas:
Page 2: Meatloaf Recipes
