Bacon Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground pork

1/2 pound ground beef chuck

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tbsp. paprika powder

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup sour cream

1/2 cup (Panko) breadcrumbs, or quick cooking oats

2 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped

2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

1 medium onion, minced

1 medium green bell pepper, minced

2 tbsp. butter

bacon, approx. 8 strips

2 - 3 slices day-old bread

Topping:

Mix together:

1/3 cup ketchup

2 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Gently mix the first 11 ingredients together in a large bowl. Heat up butter in a pan and saute onion and bell pepper till wilted. Add the thyme and parsley and turn heat off. Mix onion mixture with the meat.

Lightly grease a pan and arrange 2 - 3 slices of bread in the center. Put the meat on top of the bread slices, making an oval-shaped meatloaf. Don't compact the meat too much or it will result in a dense and tough meatloaf. The bread beneath the meatloaf will absorb the fat while it cooked and should be discarded after loaf is removed or transferred to a serving platter.

(My super kitchen helper)

Spread the topping evenly on top and sides of the loaf. For added moisture and a kick of extra flavor, wrap loaf evenly with strips of bacon. Make sure to tuck the bacon ends under the loaf.

Bake for 1 hour.

Sauce:

1 can condensed Cream of Mushroom soup (10 3/4 oz.)

1 small onion, minced

1 cup milk

1 tsp. (Gravy Master) browning sauce

1 tbsp. butter

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

Mix soup and milk together. Heat up butter and saute onion for 2 minutes. Pour in the soup mixture and bring to a boil. Add the cheese and stir in the browning sauce. Lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Drizzle sauce on top of cooked meatloaf or serve on the side.

A perfect comfort-food dinner: Bacon Meatloaf and Sauce with Potato Dumplings and Steamed Vegetables.