Let’s just clear the air shall we? I really don’t write a lot on my blog because: I’m not a writer. I don’t pretend to be nor do I want to be a writer. I figure you all come here for the recipes anyway. So what’s the point? I like short and sweet because I think the food should speak for itself. With that said, today’s post might be a little longer than most so that I can share with you something that I am passionate about.
Do I have you intrigued? Good! Let’s keep it that way for a few moments while we talk Meatloaf! Meatloaf is nothing new. In fact it is one of the oldest classic recipes to date and one that you either love or hate. I used to be in the hate category until I began making my own meatloaf. I think the level of hatred developed in middle school with what we called the “mystery meat” a.k.a. meatloaf. Needless to say I am always up for a challenge so a few years back when someone asked me why I hadn’t done a meatloaf on my cooking blog I was immediately on board to not only make a meatloaf recipe I like but one that everyone would LOVE! That lead me to my first creation: Balsamic Glazed Mustard Meatloaf. TO DIE FOR! END OF STORY!
Fast forward to the present and I offer you my latest and truly spectacular second creation: Miniature Asian Meatloaves. I got the idea from a recent purchase when I was drawn to this cute little silicon mini bar pan. Of course my first thought was cookies and cakes, but then I realized I needed something to actually feed my family for dinner that night and that’s when it hit me- MEATLOAF. This version is a little different that my first and most others out there as it uses a my own spicy mixture of corn flakes and tortilla crumbs as the binder with the egg and not bread crumbs. Making your own spicy and might I add gluten free crumbs for cooking is simple. I took a can of tortilla crumbs and corn flake crumbs, combined them in a ziploc bag then added in a few of my favorite seasonings like cajun seasoning, garlic powder, thyme, powdered ginger and chili powder.
The flavor of the meatloaf is the perfect balance between sweet and spicy incorporating sriracha sauce, fish sauce and Hoisin sauce in both the meatloaf and glaze. Hoisin sauce, which can be found in your local grocery store, is like a cross between ketchup and soy sauce. With hits of ginger and Chinese five spice- this meatloaf is packed with deliciousness and perfect for leftover sandwiches or in my case sloppy joes (recipe to come).
Okay so now that we are done with the food let’s talk about something very personal to me. If you have been following this blog for a while you might remember my post a few years back about feeling the Lord calling me to build an orphanage. If you would like to read it just click HERE! Well, I can say with a humble and joyful heart that the church orphanage is completed and at this very moment housing and taking care of orphans living in the Gihorwe Village of Rwanda. Isn’t that amazing? I am so excited! I only hope I get to go visit it someday. If you want to read my story and how this all came about feel free to go back to my original post called Shelter a Child. I want to leave you with a video that was presented to me showing me the orphanage, children and church. I was not able to go to Rwanda in November when it was completed so one of the leaders of ICM, the ministry I went through to build the orphanage, went instead and he is who you will see throughout the video! A Big Bald Guy- you can’t miss him:) I am so blessed to be apart of this ministry and to be apart of doing something that will change the lives of these children forever.
If you would like to see the orphanage or the whole video just click below right on the video itself. I can’t wait for you to see the pure and humble excitement in the children’s eyes!
- 1½ pounds of ground beef ( I used 80/20 because you need some fat to keep it juicy)
- 1 cup corn flake crumbs of (corn flakes crushed)
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips or tortilla crumbs
- (seasoning for crumbs- ½ tsp of the following: thyme, garlic, cajun seasoning, ginger and chili powder)
- 3 TBSP buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt and pepper each
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice
- ½ onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 2 TBSP soy sauce
- 1 tsp sriracha sauce (optional)
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 2 TBSP butter
- The Glaze:
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 TBSP fish sauce
- ½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled, minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Melt the butter in a heavy cast iron skillet. Saute the onions, bell peppers and garlic until soft and tender. Remove from the pan and pat to take away some of the excess moisture. Combine the meat with the veggies and remaining ingredients, leaving the eggs and buttermilk until last. Mix well and either form into a mound on a foiled lined baking sheet or place into a mini bar pan or a 12 count miniature loaf pan. Slather with half of the glaze and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Remove and spread remaining glaze on top- bake for another 15 minutes until slightly crispy on top.
- For the Glaze:
- Stir together all ingredients in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes until reduced by half and thick.
Those children are truly blessed to have persons like yourself invest so much in their safety, comfort, and, one hopes, future happiness.
As for the meatloaf, bravo. I began fiddling around with corn tortilla crumbs a few months ago and have had a lot of fun with them. I happen to love meatloaf and I’ll emulate your version sometime soon.
First of all, I LOVE that you used a silicone baking pan to make mini meatloaves… such a good idea!
Second of all, what an INCREDIBLE thing you did!! I hope you get to visit, too, so you can see what a difference you’re making in people’s lives 🙂
Hi there, Its always great to see your exciting recipes. And this one is just looking Amazing. I am so tempted to try it pretty soon. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thanks for sharing awesome recipes.
Best Regards, Sonia !!!
wow! Congrats – that is absolutely amazing!!! And how delicious does this look? I love asian flavors.
i am proud of you beyond words my friend. beyond words.
God bless you for what you have done for the orphans of Rwanda.
Kim, You have always amazed me with your delicious recipes and this seems so good with Asian flavors. Just wondering, If hoisin sauce is gluten free?
,.
The meatloaf had my attention but, the orphanage captured my heart.
Cheers to you my friend.
Velva
What an amazing thing you did. I love the video. That’s one of my favorite songs. After my mom died I played it over and over again.
The mini meatloaves are a fun idea. More crispy outside edges.
That meatloaf looks mighty fine but nowhere as special as that video. It’s such a shame that you weren’t there on that day.
I’m a fan of meatloaves! They are a winner always- and with that glaze.. and mini size, bet they are kid friendly as well.
Congrats on the orphanage! U r making a big difference my friend.
Jessica, I’ve just watched the video and cried my eyes out! how truly wonderful and so many congratulations to you – how amazing to be a part of this! The meat loaves are wonderful too!
Mary x
I must admit Jessica, I’m like you, not a big meatloaf fan; in fact, like you, I have never made my own either. The two recipes you have presented are intriguing and if I were to make a meatloaf, I would probably do one of these recipes! And I really love the loaf shape of your new silicon pan, it’s perfect portion control. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for that pan too.
Oh my goodness my friend, YOU are amazing! What an amazing gift to all those children. I am going to read all about it. And your mini meatloafs may be the only meatloaf I have ever really wanted to eat. They look perfect
Oh my goodness we devour meatloaf in this house! To make them with an Asian twist is just genius and so demonstrating of your endless creativity! YUM! God bless you for your kindness and generosity of humane service for the orphanage in Rwanda!
I’m truly in love with this meatloaf recipe!!! Wow, on the church orphanage. Amazing.
Ok, first off wow! I’m so proud of you for giving your heart to these children. Isn’t it amazing when we’re called out to do something that is so beyond our day to day lives? Just giving a small piece of your time, energy or donations makes all the difference in the world to these children. YOU have to go and visit this orphanage someday, you just have to. I so want to adopt all those children. I feel so bad for all of those kids out there in the world that don’t have a mom or dad. I know these orphanages are like families to these kids, but it’s just not the same as a forever family. John and I always talk about adopting a third child, an older child. We had such a great experience adopting Eli that we just want to add more to our bunch. So again, congratulations on your orphanage being completed!
I also want you to know that you’re a writer girl! Don’t say you’re not because you are. You totally make me want to make your recipes because you’re so good at selling them and explaining all the nitty gritty details. Both of your meatloaves look FAB! I haven’t had meatloaf in so long because I ate so much meatloaf in high school. That was the one meal my dad could make well 🙂 I was a cold meatloaf and ketchup sandwich sort of gal!
Have a great night! xoxo, Jackie
Wow, incredible what you have done for those kids, it’s a wonderful feeling to help others, especially when they need it so.
On the other matter, how cute are those meat loafs? I think they’d be surely great for any party!
Congratulations! When we follow our hearts, we do find happiness, for our self and others!
You are truly amazing and an inspiration! Those are very lucky children to have people like you. God bless!
Oh and the meat loaves look awesome! I love meatloaf!
the glaze sounds really wonderful! i’m chinese so i know this must be good..lol! what a wonderful thing you’re doing for the orphans, god bless!
Oh my gosh, MINI meatloaves?! Really, what could be better? They sound absolutely incredible. and wow, you’re truly an inspiration. What a wonderful thing to do for all of those children.
Your recipes always sound so delicious! I’m going to have to make your entire blog by the time I’m done with this cleanse!
such a fine human being you are
and
a fine cook
you put fish sauce in the glaze and sriracha to those mini meatloaves,
gotta be great!
Wow that is so awesome!! How wonderful to be helping so many children, What a blessing of the Lord!!
What an incredible contribution you’ve made to these children’s lives!
I’ve never been a fan of meatloaf but this flavor combo has me intrigued! Looks great!
I LOVE THIS and quite frankly I’m sitting here trying to figure out why I never thought of doing this. I can’t wait to make my own mini meatloaves. Great for appetizer or even a cocktail party.
I am short and sweet, too. Sometimes I’m so brief I have to go back and add a second paragraph :/ I adore meatloaf but have to wait till after Nick goes back to college before making this one (OR your balsamic meatloaf)…he is not such a fan! You have me hankering for this dish!!!
PS…congrats on the orphanage completion!!! What a fantastic dream come to fruition…well done, my friend.
Jessica, You must feel truly blessed for putting smiles on those little faces. It comes from having a kind heart, persistence and hard work too- Congratulations!! As for those meat loaves it is one of the best flavors imaginable and they look super moist!
Thanks for being a good friend
I’m not much of a writer too. Just a few lines here and there. I hope it’s sufficient 😉
Meatloaves are comforting!
ps: I love you for loving others. You are an inspiration and I hope to follow in your footsteps to change someone lives and make a difference.
Awesome usage of a mini bar pan and love the sauce on top. Meatloaf 101!
Your mini meatloaves look really tasty and delicious! Nice idea making them in a mini loaf pan. Congrats on the completion of the orphanage! What an awesome thing you have done, Jessica. May the Lord continue to bless your efforts.
You are truly an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the great work that you have done and continue to do Jessica. I will put your orphanage in my prayers.
These meatloaves look incredible and are truly tantalizing.
The recipe looks amazing, but truly… how incredibly exciting to have the orphanage finished? WOW! Just amazing how God is able to work – even through crazy ways like the internet 🙂 God bless you!
There is certainly noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you produced particular nice points in features also.
michael kors bags cheap
[…] month or so back I presented you with my incredibly mouthwatering version of an Asian Meatloaf. Complete with all the flavors you have come to love in Asian cuisine with hints of soy, ginger, […]