Recipe: Swiss Meat Loaf (using Swiss cheese and Ritz cracker crumbs)

SWISS MEAT LOAF

"The addition of Swiss cheese gives this recipe a distinctive flavor."

1 egg
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup cracker crumbs (round buttery type, approximately 24)
3/4 cup grated Swiss cheese, divided use
1/4 finely chopped onion
2 to 3 strips bacon, cut in 1-inch pieces (for top)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat the egg in a large bowl. Add evaporated milk, sage, salt and pepper, and mix. Add beef, crumbs, 1/2 cup of the cheese and the onion; blend.

Form into a loaf and place in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Arrange bacon pieces on top of the loaf.

Bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese on top and bake 10 minutes longer.

Source: Cooking from Quilt Country by Marcia Adams