Smokin’ Chipotle Homestyle Meatloaf

smokin' chipotle meatloaf

smokin' chipotle meatloaf

Fall is finally here – the time of year when sweaters and jeans come out of the closet. Cooler mornings and evenings are a nice break from the Summer heat. And most of all, my craving for some homey comfort food is on the rise! When I think of classic comfort foods, Meatloaf is one of those meals that comes to mind. It reminds me of when I was a kid, when my Mom used to make it for dinner on a chilly night.

To spice things up a little bit, this recipe has a delicious smoky Chipotle glaze, with shallots and garlic, giving it a nice kick and a unique flavor. It goes great with a side of mashed potatoes and buttery corn or some roasted baby potatoes and root vegetables. You can make the glaze ahead of time, and even make a little extra to use as a barbeque glaze on chicken, beef or pork dishes. You might even want to experiment with a mixture of ground veal, pork and beef to give it more flavor – but this recipe works with ground beef because the Chipotle sauce gives it such a great flavor. Great with a dash of hot sauce too if you like it spicier!

Ingredients

Glaze:

¼ c Chipotle Sauce (Tavern on the Green)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp ketchup
2 tbsp light brown sugar

Meatloaf:

2 lbs ground beef
3 shallots, finely chopped
1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp butter
2 large eggs, whisked
1 tsp ketchup
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 c breadcrumbs or ground whole wheat cereal (Chex or Fiber One)
1 1/2 tsp Paula Deen House seasoning (salt, pepper, onion, garlic powder)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Preheat a small sauté pan over medium heat.

In a small bowl, mix together glaze ingredients and set aside.

Chop shallots and garlic. Melt 2 tbsp butter in sauté pan. Cook shallots for about 5 minutes until lightly golden brown and soft. Lower sauté pan heat to low, add chopped garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce,  breadcrumbs (or cereal), Paula Deen House seasoning; add onions and garlic. Mix well and place mixture in a baking pan coated with cooking spray, forming a loaf. (You can also place the mixture in a loaf pan if you want a perfect rectangular shaped meatloaf).

Brush glaze over meatloaf and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush additional glaze over meatloaf; cook another 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let meatloaf rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve. Add additional glaze on top before serving if desired.

Serves 8.

Other Meatloaf Recipes you may enjoy:

Aretha Franklin’s Holiday Meatloaf
Alton Brown’s Good Eats Meatloaf
Recipe Girl’s Turkey Meatloaf
Simply Recipes Classic Meatloaf
Kalyn’s Kitchen Best Meatloaf Recipe
Bobby Flay’s Roasted Vegetable Meatloaf with Balsamic Glaze

Albondigas en Salsa de Chipolte (Cheese stuffed Spanish Meatballs)

albondigas
Spanish Meatballs
Albondigas en Salsa de Chipolte (Spanish Meatballs)

These Spanish-style meatballs are a delicious little treat: sweet, smoky and spicy and lavished in a luscious tomato sauce, they are sure to be a hit at your next Tapas or Cocktail party. You can serve them with some stuffed olives and rustic bread for dipping or over pasta or polenta for a full on hearty meal. Ole!

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. coarse ground salt
1/2 tsp. coarse ground pepper
1/3 c. fine dry breadcrumbs
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp hot smoked paprika
1/4 c. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
9 (3/4-in.) cubes queso fresco
2 Tbsp. lard or canola (or other vegetable) oil
1 c. finely chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1 lb.) can whole peeled tomatoes,
undrained, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. beef stock or broth
2 to 4 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped
Sliced Chiles and Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish
9 whole pimento-stuffed green olives, for serving
Rustic Bread, for serving

Beat eggs with salt in large bowl. Stir in breadcrumbs; let stand 5 mins. Add beef, pork and cilantro, salt and pepper, cumin and smoked paprika; mix lightly but thoroughly. Divide meat mixture into 18 even portions. Shape 1 portion into flat patty; top with 1 cheese cube. Press meat firmly around cheese to enclose completely and form balls.

Heat lard or oil in deep 10-in. skillet over medium high heat until hot. Fry 1/2 of meatballs at a time, turning occasionally, until brown on every side, about 5 mins.; remove to plate. Remove and discard all but 3 Tbsp. drippings from skillet. Add onion and garlic; saute over med. heat until soft, about 4 mins.

Stir in tomatoes, stock and chiles; heat to boiling. Return meatballs to skillet; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, until meatballs are cooked through, about 45 mins. Remove meatballs to serving dish with slotted spoon; keep warm.

Transfer tomato mixture to blender container; process until smooth. Return mixture to skillet; heat over high heat to boiling. Pour sauce over and around meatballs.

Garnish with chiles and cilantro or parsley and parmesan cheese. Serve with stuffed olives and rustic bread for dipping or over pasta or polenta for a heartier entree.

Serves 8.