Middle East Meatloaf Recipe
Here’s a Middle Eastern-inspired meatloaf recipe that incorporates aromatic spices and flavors commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (optional)
For the glaze:
- 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, egg, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, black pepper, and salt. Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are fully combined.
- If using pine nuts, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until golden brown, then stir them into the meat mixture.
- Press the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Whisk together the pomegranate molasses, honey, tomato paste, and cumin in a small bowl to make the glaze. Brush the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 160°F (70°C).
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- If desired, sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the top of the sliced meatloaf for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve your Middle Eastern meatloaf with your favorite side dishes, such as rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. Enjoy the delicious flavors of the Middle East in a classic comfort food dish!
Pomegranate molasses can be found in Middle Eastern grocery stores or specialty food stores. If you can’t find it, you can substitute it with equal parts of honey and lemon juice mixed together. Adjust the sweetness and tartness to your liking.