Work in Progress

I experimented with making my own meatloaf recipe tonight.  This isn't really anything new, I've been making meatloaf for years.  But I've been trying to figure out how to get the classic texture without using breadcrumbs, and without having to add something that drastically changes the flavor.  I really like this recipe, however it uses coconut flour AND coconut milk....and I could really taste it. Good variation, but not "classic".  The meatloaf I made tonight tasted AMAZING, but didn't hold together quite as well as I had hoped. It held up well enough, but not great. A good starting point!

1 lb ground beef

1 lb mild italian sausage

just less than 1 package of button mushrooms, chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 can tomato paste

1 small can tomato sauce (no salt added)

1 egg

~1/4 cup flax meal (I usually use almond meal, but I decided to try something different)

salt

black pepper

~1 T dried oregano 

~1 T dried parsley

Preheat oven to 375. Throw everything in a bowl and mix. Hands work best! I like to take a little ball of the mixture and cook it in a frying pan so I can see if I need to adjust the seasonings. Put the mixture in a pyrex dish... I used 13X9, use whatever you got...and bake for 1 hour. Let rest for about 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.

I also made "ketchup" to put on top...

1/2 can tomato paste

1 small can tomato sauce (no salt added)

~1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

~1/2 T honey

pinch of cinnamon

pinch of cloves

pinch of allspice

salt

black pepper

1-2 t "Italian Seasoning" (or use any combination of dried herbs...rosemary, parsley, thyme, basil etc.)

Mix everything together in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.