Most delicious meatloaf- the BEST!

So winter is coming in NZ and so are the recipes for comfort food! I had the upmost desire to make meatloaf last week and it was absolutely scrumptious. It's not boring meatloaf.. it explodes of different flavors in your mouth! Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures but will post some when I make it again.. It pairs well with my vanilla mash.

Delicious Meatloaf

1/2 small-medium onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 celery rib chopped
1/3 cup grated apple
1 t grated ginger

1/2 c breadcrumbs
1/4 c milk
1 T worcestershire sauce
1 T red wine vinegar
1 t balsamic vinegar
2 slices middle bacon
1/2 cup dates chopped
thyme & rosemary (fresh if possible)
3 T blue cheese
1/8 cup pine nuts
1 lb ground pork
1 egg

1 t salt

1/2 t white pepper

1/4 t black pepper

*PREHEAT OVEN TO 180C or 360F
1. Saute first five ingredients over medium heat until slightly browned. Set aside to cool.
2. Fry bacon until somewhat crispy. Remove from heat and when cool use kitchen scissors to cut into small pieces. Add to vegetables.
2. Separately, soak breadcrumbs in milk in a large bowl for 5 minutes.
3. Add cooled vegetables/bacon to the breadcrumbs and add worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar and chopped dates.
4.Add in several sprigs of thyme and rosemary. (If rosemary is dry, crush it in your hand before adding to mixture.) Next, add crumbled blue cheese and pine nuts.
5. Finally add in one egg, ground pork (pork mince) and salt and peppers and mix with hands (really work the ingredients into the meat!)
6. Take out a roasting pan and make a small/med loaf in the middle.
7. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes until middle is cooked through.
8. Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy with Vanilla Mash.
*Serves 3-4 people.

Vanilla Mash

3 med kumaras

1 t vanilla bean paste

2 T sweetened condensed milk

1/8 c cream (warm)

salt for seasoning

1. Peel and cube kumara. Steam until soft.

2. Mash and mix in remaining ingredients.

3. Serve immediately!

*Serves 3-4 people.

*For smoother texture use electric beaters.