Uncle Rays Meatloaf Recipes

WONDERFUL MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, combine the beef, rice, brown sugar, onion and 1 tablespoon ketchup. Mix well and place in a 5x9 inch loaf pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Spread remaining 1/2 cup ketchup over the top of the loaf. Bake for 15 more minutes.

MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.

CLASSIC MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place the carrot, celery, onion, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor, and pulse until very finely chopped, almost to a puree. Place the minced vegetables into a large mixing bowl, and mix in ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce, and egg. Add Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix gently with a wooden spoon to incorporate vegetables and egg into the meat. Pour in bread crumbs. With your hand, gently mix in the crumbs with your fingertips just until combined, about 1 minute.
• Form the meatloaf into a ball. Pour olive oil into a baking dish and place the ball of meat into the dish. Shape the ball into a loaf, about 4 inches high by 6 inches across.
• Bake in the preheated oven just until the meatloaf is hot, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved.
• Remove the meatloaf from the oven. With the back of a spoon, smooth the glaze onto the top of the meatloaf, then pull a little bit of glaze down the sides of the meatloaf with the back of the spoon.
• Return meatloaf to oven, and bake until the loaf is no longer pink inside and the glaze has baked onto the loaf, 30 to 40 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loaf should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Cooking time will depend on shape and thickness of the meatloaf.

NUTTY TURKEY LOAF WITH CRACKED CRANBERRY AND ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the cranberries in pot with the sugar, orange peel and juice and 1/2 to 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat a bit and let it bubble away until the cranberries burst and form a sauce; remove the orange peels. Let cool to room temperature or chill.
• Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat and cook the celery, carrot and onion until very tender, 10 minutes. Add the sherry and cook to evaporate, then turn off the heat and let cool.
• Place the turkey in a bowl and season with the cloves, nutmeg and some salt and pepper. Moisten the breadcrumbs with the milk and squeeze off the excess, then add to the meat along with the egg. Add the hazelnuts, pine nuts, parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage and cooled vegetables and mix to combine. Form 4 miniature loaves and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Serve individual meatloaves with the cranberry sauce on the side.

UNCLE RAY'S MEATLOAF

Steps:

• 1. Mix together the first 6 ingredients until evenly mixed, don't over do it as it will make the ground beef tough. Shape like a loaf of bread and place on a large baking dish or cookie sheet. I like to use foil that is sprayed with Pam, and leave the sides of the loaf uncovered and not touching the sides of a dish.
• 2. Mix the gravy according to the directions on the package. Punch a hole in the center of the loaf and add the gravy in the hole. Cover lightly with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. For the last 1/2 hour uncover the top and let brown but not to crispy. (unless you like crispy.)
• 3. I like to serve this with sour cream mash potatoes, stewed tomatoes and a salad, Enjoy!