DANISH MEAT LOAF

6 slices of dense square packaged pumpernickel (Wild's Westphalian is perfect) or 3 1/2-inch slices of bakery pumpernickel
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 medium yellow onions (1 cup) finely chopped (not minced)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 pound ground beef
3/4 pound ground veal
3/4 pound Italian sausage, squeezed from casing (Sausage can be sweet or hot. Guess what? I prefer hot.)
Plain store-bought or fine homemade bread crumbs to sprinkle on top

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Soak bread in warm water for 3 or 4 minutes. Squeeze out water and tear bread into pieces.

Combine lightly beaten eggs, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Using a big mixing bowl, mix bread and egg mixture together, then add onions, garlic, and the meats, and blend together with a wooden spoon or your hand. Pat into an oval or square baking dish or a loaf pan, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until instant-read thermometer registers 155 degrees F.

Remove from oven, pour off excess fat, and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Servings: 6 to 8
Source: Insatiable: Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess by Gael Greene