Mama's Meatloaf

Always in search of a way to keep my kitchen cool during the summer (I have only used my oven twice since May!), I recently bought a Cook's Essential microwave pressure-cooker.  Never in a million years would I have dreamt of making a meatloaf in the microwave, but I did it and it came out wonderfully!

Generally, I would make a meatloaf out of ground turkey, but I wanted to stick with their recipe to experiment with timing, etc.  This is a great basic meatloaf recipe which you could certainly cook it in a conventional oven (about 350F for 45-60 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160F).  The sauce is great and there is plenty extra for dipping or putting over mashed potatoes.  I couldn't believe how moist the meatloaf came out (and how cool my kitchen stayed)!

MAMA'S MEATLOAF (4-6 servings)

Meatloaf:
2 pounds (900 g) mixed ground beef and pork
1 medium onion, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup (120 ml) tomato ketchup
1 Tbsp steak sauce
1/2 cup (75 g) dried or Panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp onion powder
S&P to taste
1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

Sauce:
1 14.5 oz (411 g) can crushed tomatoes
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp honey

Combine all of the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well.  Shape the mixture into a rectangle loaf.  Using a knife, score the top of the loaf in a diagonal patternw tih 1/2" (1 cm) cuts.  Place the meatloaf into the microwave pressure-cooker.

Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and pour the sauce over the meatloaf.

Place the lid on the pressure-cooker and lockk into the closed position.

Cook the meatloaf on HIGH for 27 minutes (for a 1000 watt microwave).

When the time is up, let the pressure come down naturally by leaving the lid on the cooker until the white pressure indicator has dropped.

Allow the meatloaf to rest for a few minutes and then transfer the meatloaf to a serving platter.  Slice the meatloaf and drizzle the sauce over the slices.  Sprinkle with parsley on top and serve.

Recipe Source:  Cook's Essential's "Microwave Pressure-Cooker: A Month's Worth of Dinners," p. 31