Meatloaf with Prunes

by  on  in Main Dish, Recipes

This is an old recipe.  I have tried many but like this one because of the prunes.  It is rich and flavorful.

INGREDIENTS

    • 1/3 cup whole milk
    • 1 cup fine fresh bread crumbs (from 2 slices firm white sandwich bread)
    • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 medium celery rib, finely chopped
    • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1/4 pound bacon (about 4 slices), chopped
    • 1/2 cup pitted prunes, chopped
    • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
    • 1/2 pound ground pork (not lean)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/3 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
    • Garnish: cooked bacon

PREPARATION

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
    2. Soak bread crumbs in milk in a large bowl.
    3. Meanwhile, cook onion, garlic, celery, and carrot in butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low, then cook until carrot is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, allspice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Add to bread-crumb mixture.
    4. Finely chop bacon and prunes in a food processor, then add to onion mixture along with beef, pork, eggs, and parsley and mix together with your hands.
    5. Pack mixture into a 9- by 5-inch oval loaf in a 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish or pan.
    6. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatloaf registers 155°F, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.