This
definitely combines the best of two comfort foods: French Onion Soup
and Meatloaf. Stuffing caramelized onions, enhanced with Jack
Daniels and gooey cheese inside
a meatloaf is heavenly. Then covering it in that soup-inspired gravy
and more cheese – How can you find a better meal to take the edge
off a few of the first chilly days of autumn?
This
is how to make meatloaf into an instant classic meal for company!
Ingredients
For
the onions:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3lbs bag yellow onions, thinly sliced
- ½ Tbs fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt + ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup Jack Daniels
For
the meatloaf:
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- ½ cup bread crumbs or instant oats
- 1 tsp kosher salt + ½ tsp pepper
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 6oz Havarti cheese, grated, divided (Fontina also works)
For
the sauce:
- 2½ cups beef broth
- ½ cup Jack Daniels
- 2 Tbs Worcester sauce
- 3 Tbs cornstarch
- salt & pepper, to taste
Directions:
For
the onions:
The
night before:
Wipe
out the crock pot and spray. Peel the bag of onions and cut each in
half (top to bottom).
Very
carefully on a mandolin slicer, slice each thinly into a large bowl.
About half-way through, sprinkle with some ground thyme &
paprika.
Dump
these into the crock pot and set on high. This will cook for about 24
hours. Just let it go -- the painless way to caramelize onions!
Sometime
just plan to make a batch of caramelized onions to freeze! Use an ice
cube tray then thaw for last-minute burger and sandwich toppings.
(Try some in a grilled cheese sandwich) Cup-sized portions can be
used for pizza and pasta toppings, and larger containers are perfect
for adding to soup.
Even
if you don't have immediate plans for your caramelized onions, having
a few zipperbags full stashed away in the freezer is never a bad
thing! Now you know that the hardest part of caramelizing onions is
peeling and slicing. Let the crock pot do all of the work for you.
On
day of meal:
Heat
oil in a skillet over medium heat, add half the onions, salt &
pepper, then add the whiskey and beef broth. Reduce until very
little liquid remains. And set aside. Try not to “taste” all of
the onions!
For the meatloaf:
Preheat
oven to 350°F.
In
a bowl, combine ground beef, oats, salt & pepper, and eggs.
Gently combine with your hands until blended, but try not to overwork
the meat.
On
a piece of wax paper, press the meat mixture into a 10x12-inch
rectangle.
Set
aside ½ cup shredded Havarti cheese and ½ cup of the caramelized
onions. Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups cheese and the caramelized
onions evenly over ground beef.
Roll
up like a jelly roll, starting from the short end, lifting the wax
paper as you roll. Seal the end completely, and place seam-side down
into a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Place
pan in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. (While the meatloaf is
baking, prepare the sauce.)
Whisk
ingredients together in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over
medium heat.
Reduce
to a simmer until reduced and thickened.
Remove
pan from oven, pour the sauce over the meatloaf, and sprinkle with
the reserved onions and cheese.
Return
meatloaf to oven 15-20 minutes, or until no pink remains.
Place
under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is
browned and bubbly.
Remove
from oven and allow to stand 10 minutes. Slice and serve.
To
go with this homemade mashed potatoes and some frozen mixed
vegetables were prepared.
What
a lovely sight!
For
our music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3G3xm1-spg
Nutrition
Facts
Serving
Size 162 g Servings 8
Amount
Per Serving: Calories 353 Total Fat 17.1g Cholesterol 165mg
Love
serving my Master Indy:
socialslave
To
satisfy and restore.
To
nourish, support and maintain.
To
gratify, spoil, comfort and please,
to
nurture, assist, and sustain
…..I
cook!
Please
buy slave's cookbook:
The
Little Black Book of Indiscreet Recipes
by
Dan White
http://www.amazon.com
/dp/B00F315Y4I
/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_vAT4sb0934RTM
via
@amazon
