Recipe: Favorite Meat Loaf (using barbecue sauce, beef and pork)

FAVORITE MEAT LOAF

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 medium green bell pepper, diced
1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
3 medium carrots, shredded
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided use
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided use
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
1/2 pound ground pork
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon 2 percent milk
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
FOR THE TOPPING:
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet, over medium heat. Add onions, peppers, carrots, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are tender and translucent, about 1 minute. Cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, combine meats and cooled vegetables. Add eggs, bread crumbs, milk, pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, barbecue sauce and Worcestershire. Mix together with clean hands. Place in 8-by-11-inch loaf pan.

Stir together ketchup and brown sugar; spoon over meat loaf. Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until juices run clear. Let meat loaf rest for 5 minutes, and then slice and serve.

Makes 8 to 10 servings
Source: Scratch That: Seasonal Menus and Perfect Pairings by Connie Fairbanks