Ingredients for Grass-Fed Beef Meatloaf in a Bacon Blanket

• 150g fresh bread crumbs (ground in food processor from 2 slices of bread)

• 120ml milk

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped

• 1 large celery rib, finely chopped

• 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt

• 675g ground grass-fed beef (preferably ground once

• )

• 230g pork mince (preferably shoulder, not lean

• and ground once

• )

• 120ml ketchup

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (optional

• )

• 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

• 6 bacon slices, halved crosswise

• A large, heavy rimmed sheet pan or flameproof roasting pan (not glass)

• instant-read thermometer

Heat oven to 191°C with rack in middle.

Meanwhile, stir together bread crumbs and milk in a large bowl and set aside.

Cook onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in oil with 1 teaspoon salt in a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.

Combine beef, pork, ketchup, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and cooked vegetables with bread crumbs and mix with your hands until vegetables are well distributed and mixture is cohesive.

Form mixture into a 12-inch loaf, about 4 1/2 inches wide, in pan, and lay bacon slices crosswise over it.

Roast in oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre registers 71°C, 40 to 45 minutes.

If the bacon on top isn't crisp, reset oven to grill and grill the meatloaf, 4 to 5 inches from the heat, until bacon is crisp and browned, 2 to 3 minutes.

Let meatloaf rest in pan 10 minutes before transferring to a platter.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.