Would You Like A Classy Mediterranean Dinner? Taste This Greek-Style Meatloaf
Meanwhile, although meatloaf may appear distinctly American, there are variations found throughout the Mediterranean. Try this Greek-inspired meatloaf dish, which is nutritious and flavorful.
I use finely chopped veggies, fresh mint, cardamom powder, and coconut flour to flavor the ground meat, but the real stars are the bacon and lettuce leaves. Apart from adding a delicate flavor, the lettuce leaves and bacon help to retain all the juices. The result is a meatloaf that is elegant enough to serve at a party and is juicy and tender. If desired, you can remove the lettuce leaves before serving. Using lettuce leaves is mostly done to keep the meat soft and moist.
Ingredients you’ll Need:
- 2 and a half pounds of ground beef
- 3 large eggs whisked
- 3 tablespoons of your preferred cooking oil
- Diced 1 large yellow onion
- 9 Oz of button mushrooms, any variety
- Diced 2 jalapeño stalks
- Diced and peeled a medium-sized carrot
- Ground black pepper with sea salt
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves only (approximately 1/2 ounce)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, including leaves and stems
- Half a cup of coconut flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon of red chili powder (for a spicy meatloaf like mine)
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- Half a teaspoon of cardamom powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or as per taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
For Topping:
- Cut 8 to 10 slices (about 14 ounces) of bacon in half
- 6 to 7 lettuce leaves
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- 3 tablespoons ketchup (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Directions,
Set oven temperature to 375°F.
After cleansing the mushrooms of debris, place them in a food processor with the stems. Grind until extremely fine particles form, about the size of rice grains. Set aside. Heat the cooking oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Season the onions, carrots, and jalapeño with salt and pepper. Cook for 7–9 minutes, stirring periodically, until the carrot softens and the onion and jalapeño become translucent and golden. When the mushrooms begin to brown and release the majority of their water, transfer them to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes.
Mix the fresh herbs, coconut flour, spices, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl while the mushrooms are cooking.
Transfer the ground beef to a large mixing bowl and pour the eggs over it. Using your hands, mix up the herb-and-spice mixture and evenly distribute half of it over the meat. After adding the cooked veggies and mushrooms, stir in the remaining blend of spices and herbs. Mix well all the ingredients using your hands.
Cooking with a Loaf Pan:
In an 8 by 4-inch loaf pan, layer the bacon strips and lettuce on top of the meat mixture. Set the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet.
Using a Wire Baking Rack for Cooking:
Place a baking sheet with a rim on top of a wire rack. Once the beef mixture into a loaf, place it on the rack. Lay the bacon on top of the meat. After the loaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F, bake it for about an hour, wrapped with foil.
Take off the lettuce & cover halfway through so the bacon can crisp up. If the bacon still needs to brown after baking, turn the oven to broil for a further two to three minutes. (If the meatloaf is being baked in a loaf pan, you might need to drain the pan approximately 3/4 of the way through baking, as the meatloaf will likely lose some liquid.) Before serving, sprinkle some cilantro on top and pour some ketchup & sweet chili sauce over it.
Before Slicing, Let the Meatloaf Rest,
Before slicing with a thin, sharp knife, let the baked meatloaf sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes to allow it to settle. The texture of the loaf is coarse and it will be crumbly unless you slice it after it cools, in which case it will solidify and become more manageable. Once cooled and solidly set, the loaf looks much better in slices.
What to Pair with Greek Meatloaf,
Mashed potatoes are a staple American side dish for meatloaf, but I prefer something light and refreshing to balance out the dish’s heaviness. Begin with a large fresh Greek salad, then serve with fresh sautéed beans and tzatziki sauce to drizzle over everything. For an elegant dinner party, serve this meatloaf with garlic bread and Greek salad. And for dessert, try Greek Honey Cake with raspberries and walnuts.
How to Freeze & Store Beef Loaf,
Remember to freeze any leftovers for future meatloaf sandwiches! Properly wrapped in plastic, refrigerated meatloaf can last up to 5 days. The remaining chilled loaf, or the entire cooked and cooled loaf without glaze, can be frozen by placing it on a sizable piece of plastic wrap. It can be wrapped whole or sliced thickly, with little pieces of parchment paper inserted in between the slices.
After the loaf is securely wrapped, pull the sides of the wrap over it and rewrap it in foil. For up to 2 to 3 months, store in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge for a full night, then bake for 22 to 25 minutes at 350°F, or until thoroughly heated.
