BEST MEAT FOR MEATLOAF RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to full whack.
  2. Peel, finely chop and place the onion in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil.
  3. Season, add the cumin and coriander and fry for around 7 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden, stirring every 30 seconds. Remove to a large bowl to cool.
  4. Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands.
  5. Add to the bowl of onion with the oregano, mustard and minced beef. Crack in the egg and add a really good pinch of sea salt and black pepper. With clean hands, scrunch and mix it up well.
  6. Move the meat mixture to a board, then pat and mould it into a large, rugby-ball shape and rub over a little oil.
  7. You can either cook it now or put it on a plate, cover, and pop in the fridge until needed. If you're cooking it now, place the meatloaf in a casserole-type pan or baking dish, then pop in the hot oven.
  8. Immediately reduce the temperature to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6 and cook for 30 minutes.
  9. Meanwhile, for the sauce, peel and chop the onion into 1cm dice, then peel and finely slice the garlic along with the chilli.
  10. Place in a large frying pan on a medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil, the paprika and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  11. Cook for around 7 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden, stirring every 30 seconds or so.
  12. Drain and add the chickpeas, along with the Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.
  13. Bring to the boil, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste the sauce and season if needed.
  14. To finish, pick the rosemary leaves into a bowl. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and pour all the fat from the pan over the rosemary, mixing well.
  15. Spoon your sauce around the meatloaf, lay the slices of bacon or pancetta over the top and scatter over the rosemary leaves. Put the pan back in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the bacon turns golden and the sauce is bubbling and delicious.
  16. Delicious served with a mixed-leaf salad and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.