Cajun Meat Loaf

This flavorful meatloaf is made with a homemade Cajun seasoning blend and a blend of chopped vegetables, Tabasco, and other ingredients. Serve this meatloaf with mashed potatoes or a spicy Cajun rice blend for a fabulous family meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Seasoning Blend Ingredients:

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Meatloaf Mixture Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup ketchup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup very fine bread crumbs

Instructions:

Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Melt the butter and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, bell peppers, green onions, garlic, Tabasco, Worcestershire and the homemade seasoning mix. Saute until mixture starts sticking excessively, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the pan bottom well. Stir in the milk and ketchup. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let the mixture to cool to room temperature.

Place the ground beef and pork in a large bowl. Add the eggs, the cooked vegetable mixture and the bread crumbs. Mix by hand until thoroughly combined. In the center of an ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan, shape the mixture into a loaf that is about 1-1/2 inches high, 6 inches wide and 12 inches long. Bake uncovered at 350° F. for 25 minutes, then raise heat to 400° F. and continue cooking until done, about 35 minutes longer.

Adapted from a recipe in "Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen"