Recipe: Biba's Bolognese Meatloaf (using pancetta and lemon zest) (Italian)

BIBA'S BOLOGNESE MEATLOAF
(coated in bread crumbs and browned in a skillet before baking)

1 cup bread cubes (crust removed)
1 cup milk
1 pound ground beef
1/8 pound pancetta, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiana cheese
salt and pepper (to taste)
zest from 1/2 lemon
1 egg, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/8 cup olive oil
1 yellow onion, sliced

Soak bread in milk, 5 minutes, until mushy. Squeeze out and discard the excess milk; set aside the soaked bread.

In a large bowl, mix ground beef, pancetta, parsley, Parmigiano, salt and pepper. Add bread, the lemon zest and an egg. Mix with hands or a large spoon. If mixture is too wet, add more Parmigiano or breadcrumbs. Shape into a rectangle and coat with breadcrumbs.

Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet and brown the meatloaf on all sides.

Place in a preheated 350 degree F degree oven and bake for 30 minutes. If there is too much fat in pan, remove some. Add sliced onions to skillet and return to oven for another 30 minutes longer.

TO SERVE:
Slice meatloaf and spoon onions over top of each slice.

Servings: 6
Source: Biba's Italian Kitchen, Biba Caggiano, The Learning Channel

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