Individual Meatloaf’s wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon

This was Sunday night dinner. Finally had a chance to sit and get this posted for "you all" (This was for my southern friends because you know I really don't talk like that..haha) to enjoy. Who doesn't love meatloaf?? Well, maybe a vegan but I personally need a little meat once in a while and my body tells me when I need it!  Ohhh and Bacon, sweet bacon...I happen to be in love with this beautiful, greasy, smokey and crunchy item and I love to use it as much as I can, especially the applewood smoked, it is my favorite! : )

This recipe will serve 8 people, great for a casual dinner party

Ingredients:

3 Pounds of ground beef (I use 80 / 20 for the fat and flavor, anything less will get dry)
3 large eggs (1 egg per pound)
1 small onion (cut into a small dice)
½ green bell pepper (cut into a small dice)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb Applewood smoked bacon (enough to cover all the meatloaf’s)
1 tsp chili powder

Preparation:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Remove the hamburger from the fridge at least half an hour before using, to get the
chill out of the meat. Makes it easier to mix with your hands and meat should not be cold
when you start cooking it.

Heat up a saute pan on medium high heat. Add the olive oil, then add the onion and ball pepper. Cook until almost tender and remove from the heat and let cool.
Add the hamburger, eggs, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, basil. Oregano, crushed red pepper flakes and cooled onion and bell pepper to a very large bowl.



If you will notice I only made 7...not 8! I was asked for a bigger one, so I compromised!


Mix all the ingredients with your hands until everything in incorporated. Do not over mix.

Separate the meat into 8 servings and work each serving into a football shape. Put onto the prepared baking sheet. Cut the bacon slices in half. Place a pieces on top of the meatloaf’s so all the meat is covered with the bacon and tuck under the sides. (See pic.)

Sprinkle each meatloaf with chili powder and a bit more black pepper.
Put into the preheated oven and cook for 45 to 55 minutes. The bacon should be nice and crunchy.

I served with corn and peppers that were sauteed in butter, chili powder, black pepper and kosher salt. Also did a pot of sweet potato cooked in 2 cups of water, brown sugar, allspice, freshly grated nutmeg, black pepper, kosher salt, lemon zest and lemon juice until tender.  Please post a comment if you would like either of these recipes posted???  : )