Saturday 20 August 2011

Poor Man's Roast - Meat Loaf Recipe

Hello Everyone,

This is one of my favourite recipes from childhood. I'm the oldest of five children, born just after WWII when food was still on ration and money was short. Out of necessity cheap, economical but tasty dishes became my mother's speciality ... she really could make a meal out of nothing!! My mother also came from a large family and so the extended family was ... well, extensive :) I had lots of lovely young aunts and handsome young uncles - many of whom were in the forces doing their National Service - and when they were home they were always popping in and out of our house, not to mention the frequent visits from my grandmother. It was all great fun for me and my siblings but must have tested my mother's ingenuity at times. This meat loaf was a cheap and cheerful Sunday dinner, and Poor Man's Roast presumably because it could be sliced up just like a real meat roast.  Back then it was served up with roast potatoes, homemade gravy and whatever green vegetable was in season. My own children preferred it if I served it up with chips and sweetcorn!



There are a lot of recipes for meat loaf around and I'm sure many of you have tried them out ... perhaps you've got your own favourite. What makes this my favourite is that there is no bacon or ham included - I'm not keen on the flavour these ingredients give to a meat loaf. I do, however, sometimes add some crushed chilli seeds and cumin seeds for a bit of a modern twist on an old favourite. We have herbs growing in both the garden and in pots, so I just pick a bunch of whatever is in season - when I cooked the loaf this week I was able to pick a mix of parsley, marjoram, thyme and chives. Here's the recipe:

Meat Loaf Recipe

Pre-heat oven to 190°C – Gas Mark 5
2lb loaf tin

Ingredients:

1 lb mince beef
½ lb pork sausage meat
1 cup of fresh breadcrumbs (preferably wholemeal, but white will do)
1 large onion – finely chopped
1 dsp tomato purée
1 bunch of fresh mixed herbs – finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried herbs)
1 beef Oxo cube (optional)
2 eggs – beaten
Salt & pepper to taste

Method:
Put all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly as you go, and seasoning to taste. Press the mixture into a 2lb loaf tin, spreading evenly, than bake in the oven for 1 ¼ hours. When cooked, it will have shrunk from the sides of the tin. Allow to cool slightly before placing on a serving dish. 

We like it served with hot, homemade tomato sauce, baked potatoes and sweetcorn, but it’s also very nice served cold with salad and pickles. Leftovers make a good sandwich filling.


Hopefully, if you decide to give this recipe a try, you will enjoy it as much as we do.

Happy cooking,


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had a desire for meat loaf my self this week but wish I had seen your recipe earlier as I sort of made mine up as I went along. It was quite delicious though even if I says so myself. Will try your one next time - looks like it will feed us for a day or two!
x Tricia

Di said...

Great Elizabeth - I haven't made a meat loaf for years and will definately try this one out this very week. It looks and sounds delicious! Could almost smell it here! Happy Sunday! Di xx

Jackie said...

Thank you for sharing Elizabeth. Me and cooking do not get on but I may be tempted at some time to try this one :o)
Jackie xx

HeARTworks said...

the meat loaf looks great! I'm sure it tastes great too!

Di said...

Di again! Mentioned this one to 'The Boss' - guess what I'm cooking for dinner tonight as a result :)) Di xx

Elizabeth said...

Oh dear, Di, looks as though I've started a cookathon in your kitchen ... I'm sure he will enjoy this one, it's tasty. I'm cooking up another treat for the EM, who will be wending his way home later today. I'll probably post it next week ... as long as I remember to take a photo, of course :) Elizabeth x

Alex said...

Read your post the other day about making meat loaf, so thanks for sharing the recipe. I've not had this in a very long time and might make this one day :)

Funny, I was reading your recipe/ingredients etc and I had my "craft" head on thinking - what's dsp mean - I only know it as "Designer Series Paper" - as I don't venture into the kitchen much, lol.

Bye for now,

Alex x

Di said...

Hi Elizabeth. I've been meaning to say that I DID make your meatloaf on Sunday and it was scrumptious!!! We both loved it and it's going to be a favourite. We had the rest on Monday with salad and new potatoes, bolstered by a couple of hard boiled eggs as someone here sneaked back into the kitchen for seconds on Sunday! That's a sure sign of a hit! I served it with what you suggested on Sunday - jacket potatoes, sweetcorn and homemade tomato sauce (Jamie Oliver's one using canned tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil - quick and easy). Thanks so much again - and I did love rolling my sleeves up, scrubbing my hands and then getting stuck into squidging all the pre-measured ingredients together :) Di xx