Recipe: The Perfect Meatloaf

The Perfect Meatloaf:

Brown Sugar Ketchup Glaze:
1/2 cup ketchup
4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons vinegar (any type)

Meat loaf:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 cup milk
1 lb ground chuck
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground veal
2/3 cup crushed saltine crackers, about 16
1/3 cup minced parsley

For the glaze, mix all ingredients in small pan, set aside. For the meatloaf, heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in medium skillet. Add onion and garlic; saut until softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. Mix eggs with salt, pepper, thyme, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and milk. Add to meat in large bowl along with crackers, parsley and cooked onion and garlic. Mix with fork until evenly blended and mixture doesn't stick to the bowl. If it sticks add milk. With wet hands, pat mixture into 9x5-inch loaf shape. Place in foil lined baking pan for easy clean up. Brush with half the glaze. Bake until crisp, about 1 hour. Cool at least 20 minutes and serve with the remaining glaze.