Friday, July 25, 2008

Mom's Cajun Meatloaf

You know how Taste of Home Magazine has a "Mom's Best Meal" section in every issue? Subscribers send in recipes from their moms, along with an essay of sorts talking about why they chose those recipes and the memories the recipes envoke. If I were submitting a "Mom's Best Meal" to the magazine it would be this: Mom's cajun meatloaf, along with her carrot casserole, green vegetable medley, and peanut butter pie.

This is hands down THE best meatloaf you will ever put in your mouth. Even if you don't like meatloaf you will like this meatloaf. It has the perfect amount of heat that just hits the back of your tongue without being too spicy. The flavors are great, and it's one of those dishes in which you can taste each ingredient individually. I served it this time with mashed potatoes the way I always make them: with salt, pepper, butter, milk, cream cheese and sour cream. The list of ingredients may seem a little intimidating, but it's so worth it -- what a hearty, delicious meal!

Mom's Cajun Meatloaf
Source: my mom

2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup chopped peeled onion (about 1 medium onion)
1/4 cup chopped celery (1 stalk)
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 pepper)
1/4 cup chopped green onion (I omitted)
2 teaspoons crushed garlic cloves
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup ketchup
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 pound groung pork
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup dry bread crumbs

1. In a small bowl, combine bay leaves, salt, cayenne, black and white pepper, cumin and nutmeg; set aside.

2. In a skillet, melt butter and saute onions, celery, green bell pepper, green onions, garlic, hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in spice mixture and cook for about 6 minutes.

3. Stir in evaporated milk and ketchup. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool.

4. Preheat oven to 350°. Place ground beef and ground pork in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, the vegetable mixture and dry bread crumbs. Remove bay leaves and mix until combined. Transfer meat mixture to an ungreased loaf pan. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.

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