Depression meatloaf is a dish that has been passed down through generations. It is named after its simple ingredients and accessible cooking process, meant to provide sustenance during the economic hardships of the Great Depression. With just a few inexpensive components, this recipe became a comforting staple for families, reflecting resilience in challenging times. Today, it remains popular as both a symbol of the past and a tasty meal that can be easily recreated in modern kitchens.
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30 GREAT DEPRESSION ERA RECIPE COLLECTION
Try these Great Depression Era recipes for dishes from way back when. From cake to bread to soup, these budget-friendly meals are worthy of bringing back.
Provided by insanelygood
Categories Recipe Roundup
Number Of Ingredients 30
Steps:
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a Depression era recipe in 30 minutes or less!
Nutrition Facts :
DEPRESSION MEATLOAF
While (attempting to) clean out my recipe drawer, I came across this recipe, which I had copied several years ago. I don't remember if the original recipe was in a cookbook - magazine - website - or where! It is one of MANY recipes I have saved, but have not gotten around to trying -yet! It uses basic ingredients, but sounds...
Provided by Martha Price
Categories Meatloafs
Time 1h20m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- 2. In a large bowl, pour milk over the bread. Let stand until the milk is absorbed.
- 3. Add onion, salt and pepper. Stir with a fork until bread softens and is light and fluffy.
- 4. Mix in ground beef; stir in beaten egg. Shape into a loaf. Place in lightly greased baking dish.
- 5. Spread loaf with ketchup; top with bacon strips. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- 6. *The original recipe did not call for the egg; I think eggs were in short supply during the depression. Maybe the canned milk helps it hold together? Anyway, I added the egg to the recipe just in case I had inadvertantly not copied the recipe correctly!
CHEF JOHN'S MEATBALL-INSPIRED MEATLOAF
The main point of this Italian meatball-inspired meatloaf is to show you what happens when you make meatloaf like your grandparents did. During the Great Depression, this type of dish was a popular strategy for stretching what little meat you had into as filling a meal as possible.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Main Dish Recipes Meatloaf Recipes
Time 2h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion with a pinch of salt in hot oil and butter until onion is golden brown and soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove skillet from heat and cool onion mixture to room temperature.
- Place bread crumbs in a large bowl. Add milk and stir with a fork until combined. Let sit until all of the milk is absorbed into the breadcrumbs, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Combine ground chuck, cooled onion mixture, parsley, Parmesan cheese, eggs, 2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Grab a handful of breadcrumbs and squeeze very gently to remove excess milk. Repeat with remaining breadcrumbs, transfer breadcrumbs to ground chuck mixture, and discard excess milk. Stir ground chuck mixture until evenly combined.
- Turn chuck mixture out into prepared baking dish, and shape meat into a 3x4x10-inch meatloaf. Pour tomato sauce over the loaf and into the bottom of the dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 286.3 calories, Carbohydrate 19.4 g, Cholesterol 85.8 mg, Fat 14.5 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1129.3 mg, Sugar 6.3 g
Tips:
- Choose the right ground beef: Use a lean ground beef, such as 80/20, for a moist and flavorful meatloaf. If you use a leaner ground beef, add some extra fat, such as butter or bacon grease, to keep it from drying out.
- Add moisture to the meatloaf: To prevent the meatloaf from becoming dry, add some moisture, such as eggs, milk, or bread crumbs. You can also add vegetables, such as onions, peppers, or carrots, to add flavor and moisture.
- Season the meatloaf well: Use a variety of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, to flavor the meatloaf. You can also add your favorite herbs and spices.
- Cook the meatloaf at a low temperature: Cook the meatloaf at a low temperature, such as 325 degrees Fahrenheit, for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help to keep the meatloaf moist and prevent it from becoming dry.
- Let the meatloaf rest before slicing: After the meatloaf is cooked, let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meatloaf, making it more flavorful.
Conclusion:
Depression meatloaf is a simple and comforting dish that can be easily made with a few basic ingredients. By following these tips, you can make a delicious and flavorful meatloaf that your whole family will enjoy.
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