Meatloaf with Sweet Onion Glaze

Meatloaf with Sweet Onion Glaze

A good, old fashioned, homemade meatloaf recipe is hard to beat and everyone needs a good standard version in their comfort food repertoire. This has been my standard recipe for at least the last 25 years but with a little recent updating; a great recipe s always an evolving thing. This one stays moist and juicy and gets a major flavor boost from a tangy, sweet onion glaze. Some mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes is all it takes to complete one of the best comfort food meals ever.

 
Originally published on  Jan 8, 2008

Of all the things I've ever cooked for her, my meatloaf is what Spouse most often requests. It is a very good standard recipe made even better with the addition of a sweet and spicy onion glaze. With her other favorite, yesterday's Rum and Raisin Ice Cream for dessert, I guess I have no fear of the doghouse for the time being...and they say the way to MAN's heart is through his stomach ...luckily I'm not sexist! ;)

Meatloaf

Serves 4

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves finely chopped garlic 
• 1 medium red onion, finely diced
• 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 3 ounces milk
• ½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 beaten egg

Saute the garlic and red onion in the olive oil only until softened but not browned.

Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for a few minutes before adding to the ground beef. 

Mix together the Parmesan cheese, pepper, thyme, oregano, nutmeg and paprika. Mixing these together first helps to distribute the seasoning evenly through the meatloaf. Add to the ground beef and breadcrumbs along with the beaten egg.

Combine all well and press into a medium to large sized loaf pan. It's a good idea to use a loaf pan that's a little larger than the amount of meatloaf mixture to allow for the addition of the glaze later. The pan I use is perfect.  It gets filled to about 1/2 inch from the top rim.

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 40 minutes. Drain excess fat from the loaf pan and add the sweet onion glaze. Return to oven for an additional 30-45 minutes. Drain excess fat again before serving.

Sweet Onion Glaze

In a small saucepan sauté for 3 minutes

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, julienned
• 3 cloves minced garlic

Add

• 1 cup plain tomato sauce
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 tbsp hot sauce (more or less to taste)
• 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp dry mustard powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger

Simmer slowly for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.