comfort essentials: beef short rib meatloaf

24 Pinches 23 Photos
Wichita, KS
Updated on Sep 21, 2018

Mad Scientist at work here… I had several different types of beef that were left over from one-or-two odd catering jobs. So, I am thinking of grinding them all up, and making a meatloaf. This recipe has a decidedly Italian twist to it. Meatloaf is one of my all time favorite comfort foods, and an excellent meal as the temperatures drop. So, you ready… let’s get into the kitchen.

prep time 20 Min
cook time 1 Hr 20 Min
method Bake
yield Several

Ingredients

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • THE PANADE
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 slices fresh white bread, torn into itty-bitty pieces
  • THE VEGGIES, SPICES & OTHER STUFF
  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, grated
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup, homemade, if possible
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 3 tablespoons sweet relish
  • 2 large eggs
  • THE MEATS
  • 1 pound beef short ribs, removed from the bone, and cut into chunks
  • 1 pound charcoal or chuck steak, cut into chunks
  • 4 ounces italian sausage, about one large link
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • - additional ketchup for topping

How To Make comfort essentials: beef short rib meatloaf

  • Step 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • Step 2
    What is a panade? It is a simple way to keep your ground meat-based dishes moist, tender and flavorful, and it is simple to make. Milk and bread is all you need. If you use dried breadcrumbs (which is fairly typical), they will absorb moisture, and you will be left with a dry meatloaf. However, a panade keeps that ground meat, nice and tasty.
  • Step 3
    I am not using “regular” ketchup in this recipe, I am using my tomato jam. You can, of course use ketchup; however, if you are interested, here is the recipe: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/jam/sauce-essentials-sweet-savory-tomato-jam.html
  • Step 4
    Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
  • Step 5
    Place a rack in the bottom position, and preheat the oven to 355f (180c).
  • Step 6
    THE PANADE
  • Step 7
    In a small bowl, mix together the torn bread bits, and milk, then reserve.
  • Step 8
    THE VEGGIES, SPICES, AND OTHER STUFF
  • Step 9
    Throw the grapeseed oil into a small saucepan over medium heat, add the onions, and cook until they soften, and just begin to turn brown, about 6 – 8 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and allow to cool, and reserve.
  • Step 10
    Add the ketchup, mustard, relish, and eggs to a bowl, whisk to combine, and reserve.
  • Step 11
    THE MEATS
  • Step 12
    Okay, here is the deal, I usually grind my own meats. If you do not do this, then purchase the meats pre-ground, throw them into a bowl with the dry spices, and proceed to the section on assembly. However, for a lot of good reasons, I do recommend grinding your own meats. If, for nothing else, it is cheaper. I have a dedicated meat grinder for catering jobs, but I also have a grinder attachment for my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. If you have a Kitchen Aid, you might want to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-FGA-Food-Grinder-Attachment/dp/B00004SGFH/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1537199216&sr=8-3&keywords=kitchenaid+meat+grinder+accessory
  • Step 13
    Cut off any excess fat from the meat, then cut into chunks, and toss with the spices.
  • Step 14
    Using the medium die, grind up the meats into a large bowl.
  • Step 15
    Look at all that wonderful marbling.
  • Step 16
    Chef’s Note: By mixing the spices in with the meat before grinding, you are creating ground beef, perfectly mixed with the spices. That is another good reason to grind your own meats.
  • Step 17
    THE ASSEMBLY
  • Step 18
    Add the onions, the panade, and the egg mixture to the bowl with the ground meats. Does that not look so scrummy.
  • Step 19
    Gently mix the ingredients together, until combined. Do not overmix.
  • Step 20
    Add the mix to your baking pan.
  • Step 21
    I am using a pan that has an insert. It raises the meatloaf off the bottom, so that when it bakes, it is not sitting in its own grease. https://www.amazon.com/USA-Pan-Bakeware-Aluminized-Insert/dp/B001HY8F3C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1537454696&sr=8-5&keywords=meatloaf+pan+that+drains+grease
  • Step 22
    Cover the pan with a piece of parchment paper, and then cover with some foil.
  • Step 23
    Place in the preheated oven, for 40 minutes.
  • Step 24
    Remove from the oven, take off the cover, and brush with some ketchup, or my tomato jam.
  • Step 25
    Increase heat to 375f (190c), and return to the oven (uncovered) for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Step 26
    Remove from the oven, and allow to cool for 10 minutes, before serving.
  • Step 27
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • So yummy
    Step 28
    Serve while nice and warm, with your favorite comfort side dishes, like some garlic mash taters. Enjoy.
  • Stud Muffin
    Step 29
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

Discover More

Category: Beef
Ingredient: Beef
Method: Bake
Culture: American

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