Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Basil Meatloaf

basil in my garden
I invented this recipe because I have lots of basil in my garden. I discovered meatloaf freezes well, so I made it today, and I will serve it to my guests this coming Shabbat.

Ingredients:
1 lb. chopped meat
1 handful or more of basil leaves, chopped
1 onion
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup matza meal
2 eggs (if the mixture looks dry, add a 3rd egg)
seasoning (use any or all of these): salt, pepper, cinnamon, dried ginger, cumin, coriander, allspice, nutmeg, crushed clove

How to Make the Meatloaf:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Transfer to a baking dish – I used a covered casserole dish, but a loaf pan with aluminum foil covering is fine. Bake for 1 hour at 350°.

Leftovers: If you happen to have leftovers, warm up half a jar of tomato sauce and throw in the leftovers. You can add more fresh basil, if you have. I served this on spaghetti, and my daughter said it tasted like special restaurant food.

For more kosher recipes, be sure to visit KCC – the Kosher Cooking Carnival. Please thank Batya while you are there.

Another basil recipe: Basil Pesto on Noodles

Mrs. S. says

Sounds delicious!

"Mix all the ingredients in a bowl."
One shortcut I use when making meatloaf is to mix all the ingredients right in the baking pan - which means one less dish to wash.

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leoraw says

Yes, that would make it even easier! Some of us like mixing in round bowls.

Years ago I attempted meatloaf on my kids - they didn't go for it, yet they love meatballs. As meatloaf is SO much easier, they are now going to learn to like it. My daughter certainly likes my leftovers method (take the meatloaf, plunk it in tomato sauce, warm and stir).

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Jew Wishes says

I like using round bowls, myself.

The recipe sounds delicious.

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Ilana-Davita says

I love meatloaf. I am so glad I came across your post; I had too few ideas for the coming holiday and have some ground meat in my freezer. Isn't the Internet wonderful?
I sometimes add ketchup instead of tomato sauce.

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leoraw says

My kids like to cook with ketchup. I stay away from high fructose corn syrup, which is the main ingredient of ketchup.

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Ilana-Davita says

Heinz's ketchup and the diet version (at least here) contain regular sugar, not corn syrup which I also avoid like the plague.

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Batya says

kcc?

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leoraw says

I believe I already sent it to KCC (?).

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