Meat and Spinach Loaf with Mashed Potatoes Anna

I feel like everyone should know how to make a decent meatloaf at some point in their life, right? Or, maybe I just wanted to shout "Ma, the meatloaf!" at my mom when cooking last week.  If you don't get this reference, that's okay. Anyways, my bible, the Essential NYTimes Cookbook, said this "it's the only meat I would serve to guests." So,  I decided to make this meat and spinach loaf with a side of mashed potatoes.

 Meat and Spinach Loaf
(Serves 4)

The Ingredients...

• 1 pound loose fresh spinach
• 1 1/4 pounds ground veal, pork, o r beef, or combination of three
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• Salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 slices bacon

Directions...

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Pick over the spinach to remove any tough stems or slimy leaves. Rinse spinach in cold water, drain, place in a saucepan, and cover. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring once or twice, until wilted
2. Transfer the spinach  to a colander and douse with cold water to chill. Drain and press with your hands to extract most of the moisture. Chop the spinach.
3. Put the meat in a bowl and add the chopped spinach, bread crumbs, salt to taste, the pepper, and nutmeg.
4. Put the celery, parsley, and milk in a blender. Blend well, and add to the meat mixture. Add the garlic.
5. Heat the butter in a small skillet. Add the onion and cook until wilted. Add to the meat mixture. Add the eggs and blend well with your hands. Shape and fit into a baking dish. Cover with the bacon.
6. Bake until just cooked through, 1 to 1 1/4 hours, turning the pan 180 degrees halfway through. Pour off the fat and let the loaf stand for 20 minutes before serving. 

Mashed Potatoes Anna
(Serves 4)

The Ingredients...

• 2 pounds baking or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions...

1. Place the potatoes in a saucepan, add enough cold salted water to cover, and bring to a boil. Partially cover the pan, lower the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
2. Meanwhile, place the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat and heat until bubbles just form around the edges of the pan. Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside.
3. Drain the potatoes and put them through a ricer or mash with a potato masher. Return them to the pan and place over low heat. Gradually whisk in the hot milk, butter, cream, salt, and a few grinds of pepper.

Thoughts...
I enjoyed this meal, even if it was just a meatloaf. Spinach is an interesting twist to the recipe. To save money, I only used ground beef to make the loaf. The mashed potatoes were good too. Though I don't see myself making meatloaf often,  it's a good recipe to have on hand.