Recipe: Savory Stuffed Meat Loaf (with bread stuffing)

SAVORY STUFFED MEAT LOAF

FOR THE MEAT MIXTURE:
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
2 slices bacon, cut up
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tbsp snipped fresh parsley
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder

FOR THE STUFFING:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup chopped celery leaves
1/4 cup chopped onion (1 small)
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp rubbed sage
1/8 tsp dried thyme
1 dash ground black pepper

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

TO PREPARE THE MEAT MIXTURE:
Mix all of the ingredients for the meat mixture together. Spread 2/3rds of the mixture into an ungreased (9x5x3-inch) loaf pan, pressing the mixture up the sides of the pan to within 3/4-inch of the top.

TO PREPARE THE STUFFING:
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the celery and onion and cook until the onion is tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients for the stuffing.

TO ASSEMBLE AND BAKE:
Spoon the stuffing onto the meat mixture in the pan and then top with the remaining meat mixture covering the stuffing completely.

Bake in the oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Drain off the excess fat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into thick slices. Serve on a heated platter.

Makes 6 servings
Source: Fred Towner, 1998