MEATLOAF WITH CRACKERS RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then fit the sheet with a wire rack. Brush a 10-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with olive oil and place on rack; set aside. Place saltines in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade; pulse until fine crumbs form. You should have about 1 cup crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl and add ground beef.
• On the large holes of a box grater, grate carrot (should measure 1 cup grated) and onion (about 2/3 cup grated). Drain excess juice from onion. Add carrot and onion to meat mixture, then grate garlic on the fine holes of the grater (1 teaspoon). Add to bowl along with parsley, eggs, 1/2 cup ketchup, Worcestershire, 1 tablespoon Dijon, salt and pepper. Use hands to combine thoroughly. Transfer to prepared loaf pan.
• Combine remaining 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon and brown sugar in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and no sugar lumps remain.
• Spread mixture evenly over top of meatloaf. Place in oven, atop wire rack and bake until a meat thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Tent with foil if top begins to brown too quickly. Remove from oven and let cool 1 hour before slicing. Serve.

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.