Meatloaf is so under-rated! It was one of my favourite dinners as a kid and still is today. I like that it has all the veggies and meat in one pan; and, I love to serve it sliced on sandwiches the next day. It is also great for picnics.
Ingredients:
8 strips of bacon
1kg beef mince/ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic
2 carrots, grated
1 zucchini, grated
salt and pepper
handful of parsley, chopped
2 eggs
3 tablespoons chia seeds
topping:
tomato paste
salt
fresh herbs - rosemary, lemon thyme, oregano (well chopped)
water, if needed
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a loaf pan with baking paper.
Mix all of the meatloaf ingredients together in a bowl, except the bacon. Allow to sit for a few minutes to allow the chia to swell. Place five strips of bacon along the lined loaf pan, then put the meatloaf mixture over the bacon. Place the last 3 strips of bacon on the top. Bake for 30 minutes.
Mix all the topping ingredients together to make a paste while the meatloaf is cooking. Remove the loaf from the oven and top with the tomato mixture, spread evenly. Return the meatloaf to the oven and continue to cook for an additional 20 minutes or until cooked through.
Remove from oven and allow to sit 5 - 10 minutes before removing from the loaf pan. Slice what is needed for dinner and reserve the rest of the meatloaf.
Serve with a green salad and roasted potatoes or steamed broccoli.