Meatloaf Secrets

DEAR SOS: We have just discovered a great meatloaf and can’t determine what makes it so moist and tasty. It would make a great family dish.

MARIE MASON

Woodland Hills

DEAR MARIE: A couple of ingredients might explain the moistness and good flavor of this meatloaf: matzo meal and caramelized onions. Incidentally, the recipe for gravy was not included in the recipe, so prepare your favorite gravy or use packaged or canned gravy. If not, one of these gravy recipes might do the trick.

Jerry’s Famous Deli Meatloaf

Active Work Time: 20 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

2 tablespoons butter

1 large onion, chopped

2 eggs

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup matzo meal

2 carrots, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt

1/4 cup ketchup

* Melt butter over low heat and cook onion until caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes. Combine onion with eggs, beef, bell pepper, matzo meal, carrots, pepper, garlic powder and salt in large bowl. Mix well.

* Pat mixture into loaf on a baking sheet. Spread or brush ketchup over loaf. Bake at 375 degrees until browned, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Serve plain or with Brown Mushroom Gravy, if desired.

10 to 12 servings. Each of 12 servings: 256 calories; 1,026 mg sodium; 94 mg cholesterol; 18 grams fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 15 grams protein; 0.24 gram fiber.

Brown Mushroom Gravy

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes

3 tablespoons oil

1 pound mushrooms, halved

1/4 cup minced shallots or green onions

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 tablespoons flour

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch pepper

* Heat 2 tablespoons oil in skillet over medium heat, add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes until soft. Remove mushrooms from skillet.

* Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil, add shallots and garlic and cook 4 minutes until soft. Stir in flour. Gradually add broth and wine. Cook and stir until thickened, 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper and mushrooms. Heat thoroughly. Serve with meatloaf or turkey.

2 1/2 cups. Each 1/4 cup: 66 calories; 141 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 5 grams fat; 4 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.40 gram fiber.

Easy Mushroom Gravy

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 10 minutes

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup or celery soup

2 tablespoons sherry or milk

2 to 3 tablespoons finely minced parsley

* Pour soup in small saucepan. Stir in sherry and parsley. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring now and then, 10 minutes. Serve hot over meatloaf.

1 1/2 cups gravy. Each 1/4 cup: 55 calories; 415 mg sodium; 1 mg cholesterol; 4 grams fat; 4 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.40 gram fiber.