Meat Loaf

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef (or a mix of ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal)
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 can tomato juice (5.5 oz)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 tbsp. ketchup
• Spice Blend:
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder

Put approximately 1/2 cup (4 oz.) of bread crumbs or croutons into a food processor and pulse a few times. You want to break the breadcrumbs into small pieces, not pulverize them. Add the garlic cloves and raisins and pulse a few more times to rough chop. Transfer to a large bowl.

Mix in spices, egg, tomato juice and stir well.

Add ground beef, mix by hand and shape it into a loaf approximately 3 inches tall x 5 x 9.

Place loaf into a glass baking dish. It can be useful to place a small rack under the loaf to raise it approximately 1/2 inch off the bottom of the pan. Some fat and juices will collect during the cooking process. The meat can sit directly in these drippings or be raised above with a rack.

Evenly spread ketchup on top of the meatloaf.

Bake at 350^o F until done. Approximately 1 hour and 15 min.

Optional: peel and dice 2 potatoes. Add to baking dish around meatloaf during last 30 minutes of cooking.