Meat Loaf . . .

The secret to making a light meat loaf is to handle it as little as possible.

SERVES 6-8

Ingredients:

3 tbsp. olive oil

2 large onions, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

3 lb. ground chuck

1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce

1 large egg

1 cup fresh bread crumbs

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp. ketchup

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a medium sauté pan over low heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent, about 15 minutes. Let cool.

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine chuck, tomato sauce, egg, bread crumbs, salt and pepper to taste, and half the onion-garlic mixture, and stir just enough to mix.

Place meat in a 3" × 7" loaf pan and round the top with your hands to form a crown. Top with remaining onion–garlic mixture and drizzle with ketchup. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove meat loaf from oven and let set about 10 minutes, for easier slicing.