The Mirando Perspective: BBQ Bacon Stuffed Meat Loaf

BBQ BACON-STUFFED MEATLOAF from the Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker cookbook

8 ounces fresh mushrooms
1 tbsp vegetable oil
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled, divided
3 slices white sandwich bread
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp smokey bbq rub, divided
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp or each salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds 85% lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup ketchup

Thinly slice mushrooms. Heat oil in 12 in. skillet over medium high heat 1-3 minutes or until simmering. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until mushrooms begin to brown. Remove skillet from heat. Set aside 1 tbsp of the crumble bacon. Add remaining bacon to mushrooms and mix well.

Meanwhile, cut bread into cubes. In stainless 6 qt mixing bowl, combine bread, milk, onion, parsley, egg yolk, 2 tbsp of the rub, pressed garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add beef to bread mixture; mix. place two thirds of meet mixture in deep covered baker form into an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 loaf. Gently press down the center of the loaf to create a well. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese in the well. Top with bacon mixture and an additional 1/2 cup of the cheese. Place remaining meat mixture over filling press to seal.

Microwave, covered, on high 14-17 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 in the center. Carefully remove baker from microwave, using oven mitts. Meanwhile, combine ketchup and remaining rub; stir. Brush Ketchup mixture over meatloaf. Microwave, covered, on high 3-5 minutes or until internal temperature is 160 in the center. Sprinkle remaining cheese and reserved bacon over top of meatloaf; let stand, covered, 10 minutes before slicing.

My variations: We use 1% milk, instead of fresh garlic I keep a jar of it in the fridge, I buy 90/10 beef, unfortunately I don't have the BBQ rub so I used BBQ sauce & it worked fine. Maybe should have decreased the milk from 1/2c to 1/4c since I was using a wet sauce.

Note: Buy large quantities of beef (10lbs) for a cost savings & so that you always have it on hand. Freeze flattened in freezer bags because it takes up less room in the freezer & thaws very quickly.

To save time I cooked six pieces of bacon in the microwave.

Don't wash your mushrooms, they are like sponges. Instead, wipe them off with a paper towel.

Nick crumbled the bacon & shredded the cheese.

I don't YET have the stainless steel bowls from PC.

I absolutely love these grinders! They are perfect for these recipes that call for you to change the setting to coarse. And to make it even sweeter, Publix often sells them BOGOF & has coupons!

These ingredients are waiting for the end.

Mom is making Nick & Dallon salads because they don't like fried okra, which is what she brought for her & I to have as our side. Thank you Larry & Cecelia Welch for the fresh home grown okra! (Roman's already gone to the Hilliard - Fernandina game with a friend & Rocco is sick on the couch.)