© Meat Loaf MAKES: 6108 servings TIME: About 1 hou; largely unattended Freeform meat loaf has several advantages over those cooked in loaf pans: Ir develops a lovely crust on three sides instead of just one, and the fat can run off, rather than become trapped between pan and meat. Plus its 2sy to shape by hand and always turns out in the shape you wanted. You can also shape this mixture into meat- balls if you like; just bake them for about half the time. ‘Ye cup bread crumbs, preferably fesh (page 876) Ye cup milk 2 pounds mixed ground meats: bef, veal lamb, andifor pork (you can use turkey or chicken also if you like) 1 egg. lightly beaten Ya cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese “Ye cup minced fresh parsley leaves Ya teaspoon minced garlic 1 small onion, minced 1 small carot, minced ‘teaspoon minced fresh sage leaves or 1 pinch dried sage leaves Salt and freshly ground black pepper slices bacon (optional but good, especialy ifthe ‘meat s very lean) @ Hear the oven to 350°F. Soak the bread crumbs in the milk until the milk is absorbed, zbour 5 minuces. © Mix together all the ingredients except the bacon. Shape the meat into a loaf in a baking pan; top with the bacon if you like. Bake for 45 0 60 minutes, basting ‘occasionally with the rendered pan juices. When done, the meat loaf will be browned lightly and firm and an instant-ead thermometer inserted into the center will read 160°. Meat Loaf with Spinach. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Trim and wash a 10-ounce package of fresh spinach; cook it in the boiling water for 30 sec- ‘nds, then remove it. Drain and coo! it, then chop it finely, sprinkling with salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg, In Step 1 increase the bread crumbs to 1 cup. In Step 2, integrate the chopped spinach into the meat loaf, substituting grating of nutmeg forthe sage. Spiced Meat Loaf. Omit the Parmesan and substicure cilantro for the parsley and 1 tablespoon curry pow- dex, garam masala, chili powder, or other spice mix- ture (to make your own, see pages 65-69) for the sage. Mest Loaf with Dried Tomatoes. Substitute 1 cup chopped reconstituted dried tomatoes for the carrot and fresh rosemary for the sage. Spread barbecue sauce or ketchup (to make your own, sce pages 51-52) over the top if you like.