Meat Loaf Sandwiches

Make a variety of meals from one dynamite recipe.

White bread and mayo with a slice of comfort in between-that's the standard meat loaf sandwich. But to make a fabulous one, the loaf itself must be awesome. My mom's tip: Mix it with a cook's best utensils-your hands. SHIRLEY HARRINGTON

ALABAMA MEAT LOAF

MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS

PREP: 25 MIN., BAKE: 1 HR., STAND: 10 MIN.

The hot sauce plays against the brown sugar, making this neither too hot nor too sweet. Smoked deli ham and ground pork add dimension to ground beef.

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 pound ground pork

1 large green bell pepper, minced (about ½ cup)

1 small onion, minced (about ½ cup)

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

4 cups soft breadcrumbs

¾ cup finely chopped smoked ham

1/3 cup ketchup

¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

¼ cup maple syrup

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons hot sauce

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

4 bacon slices

STIR together ground beef and next 11 ingredients in a large bowl just until combined. Shape mixture into 2 (9- x 4-inch) loaves; place in an aluminum foil-lined broiler pan.

POUR half of tomato sauce evenly over each loaf, and arrange 2 bacon slices over each loaf.

BAKE at 350° for 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. BELINDA SELF

HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA

MINI ALABAMA MEAT LOAVES: Shape mixture into 12 (2- x 4-inch) loaves, and arrange on a rack in a foil-lined broiler pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes.

TO MAKE AHEAD: Omit tomato sauce and bacon. Wrap unbaked meat loaf in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight, unwrap, and proceed as directed.

BARBECUE MEAT LOAF SANDWICHES

MAKES 6 SANDWICHES

PREP: 30 MIN., COOK: 10 MIN.

This hearty sandwich is almost a meal in itself. Cook extra onion rings to serve on the side.

1 (9.5-ounce) box frozen five-cheese Texas toast

1 (8-ounce) box frozen onion rings

Vegetable cooking spray

6 (1-inch-thick) cold meat loaf slices

½ cup barbecue sauce

1 cup prepared coleslaw

PREPARE Texas toast according to package directions.

PREPARE onion rings according to package directions.

SPRAY a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Add meat loaf slices, and cook 5 minutes. Turn, brush evenly with barbecue sauce, and cook 5 minutes more or until thoroughly heated.

TOP each slice of toast evenly with meat loaf slices, coleslaw, and onion rings. Serve immediately.

NOTE: For testing purposes only, we used Pepperidge Farm Five Cheese Texas Toast and Orelda Vidalia O's.

GRILLED CHEESE MEAT LOAF SANDWICHES

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN., COOK: 10 MIN.

¼ cup butter, melted

8 hearty white bread slices

12 American cheese slices

8 (½-inch-thick) cold meat loaf slices

Garnish: sweet gherkin pickles

HEAT electric griddle to 350° or a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

BRUSH butter evenly on 1 side of each bread slice. Place 4 bread slices on griddle or in skillet, buttered side down. Top each with 1 ½ slices cheese, 2 meat loaf slices, and an additional 1 ½ slices cheese (total of 3 cheese slices on each sandwich). Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.

COOK 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until golden. Serve immediately. Garnish, if desired.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2004
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