h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What exactly is meat loaf (the food *not* the singer) and how do I make it?

not realy sure, could it be a loaf made from meat?

Or simular to the compressed 'joints' of meat that are made by Bernard Matthews?

Yes, but what meat?

Pork?
Beef?
Chicken?
Lamb?
Venison?
Boar?
Rabbit?
Veal?
Liver?
Kidney?
Brain?
Any other offal?
Fish?
Pheasant?
Pigeon?
Quail?
Duck?


Surely it's not just plain meat, squashed in a pan with no seasoning and served in slabs.....

I'm not sure about the Loaf part but I'm fairly certain that it has rashers of bacon (no rind) wrapped around the outside, spread with mustard and then Demerrara sugar. I got a feeling the loaf was originally intended to use up all the left-over cuts of meat, so you could include whatever takes your fancy really.

Clive

Isn't it like a big cuboid-shaped beefburger? So that's minced beef and breadcrumbs.
But then, I live entirely on sandwiches. If it's not flat, I don't tend to eat it.

Ok veggie here but here's Auntie Deliah's recipe.

450g lean minced beef
225g minced pork
2 medium onions
1 small green pepper
1 dessert spoon tomato puree
1 glove garlic

level tsp dired mixed hers
2 tbs fresh chopped parsley
2 slices white bread
3 tbs milk
1 beaten egg
salt and pepper to taste

mix first batch of ingredients thoroughly and season with salt and pepper. Cut crusts of bread and soak in milk. Add milk and herbs to mixture and mix again. Finally stir in egg for binding place in loaf tin and cooked in preheated oven at 190o for 75minutes.

Now may I hang my head in shame.

needs more garlic

Meat loaf is one of those foods where everyone cooks it a different way, depending on their taste. The ground beef is universal, of course, as is the egg, bread crumbs (although some will substitute cracker crumbs of various types), and tomato stuff. After that, it is anything goes. I do know someone who puts bacon strips at the top, which isn't a bad idea (oddly enough, since he is otherwise a hopeless flop in the kitchen). The grease from the bacon keeps the top from drying out at it would otherwise do ordinarily, thus keeping the whole thing moist. Other people put tomato paste over the top, but it can turn black and nasty.

Hoversnail, You have never had a meatloaf sandwich?
You need to try it sometime they are awesome (not to mention a great way to get rid of leftovers in the middle of the night).

I see. But the beauty of the sandwich, for me has a lot to do with the fact that the preparation process consists of putting flat things between slices of bread. If you have to make a meat loaf, and then cut/hammer it to make it flat, then put it between two slices of bread, then you are defeating the object.

I get it, Quick and easy. Not a lot of senseless bothering with other things that hinder the whole eating experiance.

Does anyone know how to cook Bonnie Tyler (80's rock diva)?

Not sure about the cooking, but I think you need to pluck her first and then marinade well to tenderise.

I heard that she must be cooked "Faster than the speed of night"


For those who don't know that was a very feeble gag based on the B' side of "Holding out for a hero".

I duly apologise!!

That's OK, I was trying to think of something witty about 'total eclipse of the heart' - but failed miserably.