Meatloaf Tips

1. For a browner, crustier meatloaf, coat a 9" X 5" X 3" loaf pan cooking spray, pack with meatloaf mixture, then invert in a shallow roasting pan. Bake as directed.
2. Finely grated orange or lemon zest makes a great flavor booster for meatloaves.
3. Meatloaf doesn't have to be a loaf! Try baking one in a ring mold, then fill the center with green peas, beans or other vegetables, creamed mushrooms, , mashed potatoes, gravy or whatever else your creative little mind comes up with.

4. For a lower-fat meatloaf, use very lean meat and substitute nonfat frozen egg product for eggs (1/4 cup = 1 egg).
5. When trying to cut fat in meatloaf by using leaner cuts of meat, try increasing the amount of finely chopped vegetables in your recipe, such as onions and peppers, by about half. The water from the veggies will help keep the low-fat meatloaf moist and juicy.
6. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is an easy meatloaf flavor booster. Try adding 1/4 - 1/3 cup to your recipe.



7. Do your kids (or spouse or parent, etc.) hate vegetables but like meatloaf? Sneak them in. Grind up carrots or spinach and add them to the meatloaf. The veggies help keep the loaf moist and the kids will never know what they are eating.
   
   
8. To prepare an easy meatloaf use, 2 eggs, 1 cup salsa, 1 cup stuffing mix to 1 1/2lb -2lbs. hamburger. The salsa has all the vegies and the stuffing mix all the spices you need. This tip sent in by readers Billie Price of Newton, NC.