Meatloaf

I have always hated meatloaf. Because of this I recently decided to challenge myself to make a meatloaf that I did like. This recipe, inspired by Bobby Flay but tweaked a bit to my liking, is what I came up with. Try it and let me know what you think!

Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large zucchini, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 yellow pepper, finely diced
• chopped onion
• chopped jalepeno
• minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the zucchini, peppers onion, jalapeno, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper, to taste, and cook until almost soft, 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Whisk together the eggs and herbs in a large bowl. Add the meat, bread crumbs, cheese, 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons of the vinegar, and the cooled vegetables and mix until just combined.
Mold the meatloaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Whisk together the remaining barbecue sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Brush the mixture over the entire loaf. Bake the meatloaf for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with brown gravy.

 Verse of the Day: " Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~James 1:2-4