We actually had a whole conversation about this once in our meetup chat group.
For me, the older I get, the less I like meat, and I like it even less in large chunks. I don't know why -- it's a textural issue for me. I find big pieces of meat to be chewy, cord-y (like when you get a bad piece of gristle or tendon,) rubbery, and/or grainy and it makes me a little queasy.
I'm stuck in a Catch 22 (story of my life) because I'm supposed to subsist on mostly protein and low carbs, but the only meat I really like anymore are good old cheeseburgers and deli meat (which is not only supposed to about the most unhealthy kind of meat there is, but it's also way past my price range, at least here in the US.)
So I'm sure people would ask, "Why would you like burgers and not meatloaf?"
I think the thing with burgers is that they're pretty straightforward. Ground beef, shaped into patties with some seasonings, and if I'm lucky enough, thrown onto a charcoal grill, then cooked to perfection.
Meatloaf is not only an unsightly lump, but it's also kind of a who's who, grab-everything-leftover-and-throw-it-right in kind of dish.
Ground beef, pork, sausage, pigeons, and squirrels (with or without tails)? Sure, why not, after all, it's meat, and we need a base!
Then come the fillers... crackers, panko, bread crumbs, oatmeal? Well bless your heart, we need something to hold it all together, all of the above toss them right on in!
Last but not least (and probably the most questionablepart of all,) here come the condiments and sauces: Worcestershire, ketchup, onion soup mix, tomato paste and vinegar...
Look here Ma, you forgot to throw in the kitchen sink, so let's just whirl that in, too! Doesn't it sound utterly delightful?
Maybe this is the reason I've learned to question meatloaf. I have no doubt it can be made good by a number of talented home cooks, especially as a penny-pinching family filler-upper that cleans out the fridge at the same time, but as far as I'm concerned...
Meatloaf is a bit like catfish... A bottom feeder dinner entree where anything and everything can be mixed in and justified, and you never know really know what kind of hodge podge your poor fork is actually touching.
1
1
