Cajun Meat Loaf
2 whole bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup green bell peppers, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup catsup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup very fine bread crumbs
Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Melt the
butter in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, bell
peppers, green onions, garlic, tabasco, Worcestershire and seasoning mix. Saute
until mixture starts sticking excessively, about 6 minutes, stirring
occasionally and scraping the pan bottom well. Stir in the milk and catsup.
Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat
and allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
Place the ground beef and pork in an ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan. Add the
eggs, the cooked vegetable mixture and the bread crumbs, remove the bay leaves.
Mix by hand until thoroughly combined. In the center of the pan, shape the
mixture into a loaf that is about 1-1/2 inches high, 6 inches wide and 12 inches
long. Bake uncovered at 350F for 25 minutes, then raise heat to 400F and
continue cooking until done, about 35 minutes longer.
Serve immediately as is or with Very Hot Cajun Sauce for Beef. This is best
using both ground pork and ground beef, as the pork gives more flavor diversity.
However, you can make it with ground beef only.