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Thursday, September 3, 2009

Italian-style Meatloaf Muffins

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Sarah Jessica Parker's face look like a foot? It was my husband that pointed that out and the more I see her, the more I agree that she looks like a foot. It's really quite devastating. My sisters, my mom and I went to see "Julie and Julia" (yes, I am on my 3rd time now) and the previews were rolling. As we munched on the contraband caramel popcorn I made and brought with me, a preview came on for a movie with Foot Face. Between my two sisters sitting next to me, we were all in accord that Sarah Jessica Parker looks like a foot. Seriously, Google a picture of her and you will see my point. Now what that has to do with the recipe below, I will never know. So moving on...

For this recipe, I borrowed Rachael Ray's brilliant method on how to cook meatloaf. Was she the first person to cook them individually in muffin tins? Absolutely brilliant. Besides the fact that individual portions are convenient, they take less time to cook. Only 20 minutes. And in 20 minutes, you can chop up a salad and saute up some vegetables.

While I used Rachael's method, I put this recipe together on my own. I wanted a meatloaf using the sun-dried tomatoes I had in the fridge. And then I put in some balsamic vinegar and Italian herbs. I thought of doing a sauce, but I didn't. And the reason being my children. Sauce means mess and I wasn't feeling up to it. So no sauce. But you could definitely pour on some marinara when you serve these. That would go well with the flavors that are already going on in these little meatloaf muffin delights.



2 lbs ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs (2 slices of bread obliterated in the food processor makes 1 cup)
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp kosher salt
Chopped fresh basil, for garnish

Set oven to 450 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, onion, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, egg and salt. Mix with your hands until well combined.

Divide mixture evenly between muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.

Yields 12 meatloaf muffins

Served with these
: some sauted hericot verts with butter and fresh herbs and chopped honeydew with mint.

Rookie's Notes: If you work the meat too much, it will get gummy. So mix the meat with your hands, but just until mixed.

11 comments:

Tricia said...

Sarah Jessica Parker=HorseFace. That's what she's known as around these parts. My mom dubbed her that. BUT, I can definitely see the Foot resemblance, too! Devastating, for sure! lol.

I think I'm going to make these for dinner tonight, by the way! They look delicious...my kids will love them.

Frieda Loves Bread said...

Brilliant ~ individual meat loaves...my kiddos can put ketchup on theirs and my hubby can put BBQ sauce on his, and mine...I like 'em plain!

Unknown said...

love the muffin tin idea, I am giving you all the credit. Rachael who?

Jessica said...

meatloaf in muffin tins? interesting idea. too bad the husband doesn't eat beef!

and SJP = Horseface. I think i saw the same preview you did (with hugh grant?). when it came on, my girlfriend and i looked at each other and said "whoa, she looks terrible!"

p.s. made the zucchini and bell pepper enchiladas last night. Yum!

cat+tadd=sam said...

Bloody hell. I need this.

Unknown said...

they said the same thing about sjp on family guy once...

The Mickelsens said...

Just made these last night. I added fresh tomoatoes though because I didn't have sun dried. Then I put in a little extra balsamic and basil. Tasted like Bruchettaish Meatball Muffins. My husband loved them.

Aggie said...

Thanks so much for the kind comment on my blog about the chili!! :)

I love these little meatloaf muffins! I am definitely giving them a try, I think my kids will really like them...I know my hubby and I will!!

Jamie said...

My sister in law Aggie from Aggie's Kitchen told me about your blog and thought I would like it. I love meatloaf, it's such a comfort food. I love these in muffin tins, what a great idea. I'll be checking out more of your blog.

Unknown said...

I'm making these tonight! I put a little shredded cheese in the middle of each "muffin." Serving with roasted blue potatoes. YUM!

Ebethvand said...

Another hit with the Van Fam! I served it along with the baked potato wedges and a salad. The mix of balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning is a nice change from the regular meat loaf. Great comfort food for a cold, snowy night (and we're in Alabama!). Thanks for the recipe!