Sweet Heat Meatloaf

Sweet Heat Meatloaf

In my opinion, there are 3 basic comfort foods:  macaroni and cheese, anything served with a biscuit on the side, and meatloaf.

As a little kid I was never a big meatloaf fan.  Mainly because I wasn’t thrilled with my mom’s version.  She served it with some sort of  tomato based sauce that she called “gravy.” Sometimes I didn’t know what that little Italian lady was thinking.

But that changed as I grew older and learned to appreciate just about anything my mom put in front of me.

Meatloaf is one of those things that you either love or you hate.  There are cafeteria horror stories that people want to forget and there are memories that bring people back to their happy place.  No in between with meatloaf.

Meatloaf, while pretty basic in nature, still affords many different versions and everyone has their own.  Some use bread crumbs, some use actual bread, and me, I use saltine crackers (but sometimes I use the other things).  Of course everyone has that special something that makes it their family secret.

Then there is the debate of whether to glaze or not to glaze using some tomato based product, typically ketchup.

I like it glazed….my wife doesn’t.  Awkward!

I could do half and half but its not worth it and I just make it her way.  We usually smother with gravy anyway.

I was however, dying for her to give the glazed version a try.

So what did I do? I did the sneak attack version and glazed it but didn’t tell her.  So when it came out of the oven, she smelled something sweet and she was on to me.  I told her to try it….worst case she could cut off the crusty glazed part and still be able to enjoy it.

What I didn’t tell her was the hook, line and sinker that would allow me to glaze it all the time. Instead of ketchup, I used a combination of brown sugar, ketchup and Sriracha. Sweet and spicy, how could she resist?

She didn’t and the rest is history.  Enjoy.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup ketchup 1/4 cup Sriacha 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef 1/2 cup milk 2 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 3/4 cup saltine crackers, crushed fine Preheat oven to 375. In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup and Sriacha. In a larger bowl mix together the beef, milk, eggs, salt, pepper, ginger, and cracker. Mix just enough to combine all the ingredients but do not overmix or  your meatloaf will be tough.  The meat should form a nice loaf but will still be tacky. Meanwhile, spray a 5 x 9 loaf pan with cooking spray. Press the brown sugar on the bottom of the pan.  Top with the ketchup/Sriacha mix.  Spread evenly. Place the meatloaf mix on top of the ketchup/Sriacha mix and shape accordingly. Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 155. Remove from oven, drain excess grease from pan and let stand 10 minutes. Invert meatloaf (brown sugar/glaze will now be on top) on to cutting board and slice to serve.

Sweet Heat Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes