Mushroom Meatloaf
Ingredients
1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped (optional)
1 rib celery, coarsely chopped (optional)
1/2 medium onion (coarsely chopped)
1/2 medium red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (optional)
4 white mushrooms, coarsely chopped
2 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup plain bread crumbs
Instructions
Place carrot, celery, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor; pulse until very finely chopped, almost to a puree. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Add the ground beef to the vegetables, along with the Worcestershire sauce, egg, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until ingredients are just combined. Sprinkle in bread crumbs and gently mix with your fingertips until just combined; don’t overmix.
Baking in a Zojirushi Bread Machine
Remove the Kneading Blade, and place the mixture in the baking pan.
Press the COURSE button to select Course No. 15 (Homemade). Cycle Knead, Rest, Kneed, Shape, Rise, Rise, Rise all to 0 (zero). Set BAKE to 40 minutes.
Press the START button.
When the melody indicates that the baking is complete, remove the Baking Pan and pour out any excess grease. Remove the meatloaf from the Baking Pan.
Baking in a Regular Oven
1. Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature allows the meatloaf to cook evenly without drying out.
2. Prepare the Pan. Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment and shape the loaf free-form. (Free-form loaves develop more crust; loaf pans retain more moisture.)
3. Add the Meatloaf. Place the shaped meatloaf in the pan or on the sheet. If using a glaze (ketchup-based, tomato paste, or gravy), spread it evenly over the top before baking or during the last 15 minutes.
4. Bake. Bake uncovered in the center of the oven for 50–60 minutes. Smaller loaves: check at 45 minutes. Larger or denser loaves: may take up to 70 minutes
5. Check for Doneness. The meatloaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C)
6. Rest Before Slicing. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes slicing clean and easy.
7. Add Mushroom Gravy before serving. Best with mashed potatoes and roasted butternut squash (see recipe at awaretrade.com).
Resting
Rest before slicing. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes slicing clean and easy.