CHRISTMAS 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:

• Make the meatloaf: Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a rimmed baking sheet with oil. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste until well combined; let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine bread and milk, and mash with a spoon until a paste forms. Add eggs, parsley, salt, pepper, thyme and cooled onion mixture and mix until well blended. Add the beef, pork and veal, and mix gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat. Divide mixture into 2 equal portions and shape each into a 4-by-8-inch meatloaf on the prepared baking sheet.
• Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Use a spoon to spread mixture over the top and sides of each meatloaf. Bake until nicely browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of meatloaf registers 160 degrees, 45 to 55 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.