Meatloaf Experts.... here a minute...

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I make this Delia meatloaf occasionally. I use good quality, fresh ingredients and it contains plenty of flavourings like herbs, mustard, worcester sauce, garlic, smoky bacon and so on. DS loves it but I always think it lacks something. Taste, mostly.

What do you add to your meatloaf to make it taste good?

parmesan in the mix perhaps? I'm just thinking of the most successful meatballs recipes I've had.

It would give it some umami wouldn't it?

What do you serve it with btw?

I've made this before and also found it amazingly bland.

Sorry, that doesn't help does it.

I try to compensate for the lack of flavour by serving it with a spicy BBQ-style sauce - which works to a point - but it's still essentially 'a bland lump of steam-baked meat'. The parmesan idea might work .. also put parmesan in meatballs. Any more suggestions? I've got it planned for tonight's supper... bit desperate!

I usually put onions and cheese (finely chopped in food processor) in. gives it moisture and flavour. also instead of salt use stock granules.

I'm definitely going to add some strongly flavoured cheese. Do you think adding a dollop of some kind of ketchup to the mix would work?... A dash of tabasco?

Dozy twonk that I am, I've mixed the meatloaf ingredients with cheese and a few other bits and pieces, carefully put it in the loaf tin all beautifully wrapped in bacon ready to bake later.... and then realised that I managed to leave the onions out completely.

Whooops

I put a dash of nam pla into all my mince dishes at the end. It gives an extra 'feel' to it. Sometimes, I also add balsamic vinegar at the end too.

Paprika

Marmite? Vegetarian here, so not really experienced at cooking meatloaf, but I often add marmite to veggie dishes to give it a meatier flavour. Or as a meat eater you could use bovril? Smoked paprika is also excellent at adding flavour to savoury dishes.

Other than that, maybe add a bit more oil? Fat always make things taste good. Or more garlic?

DOH!

[GRIN]

OK... so with the omission of onions and addition of cheese & a dash of hot pepper sauce... it actually tasted a lot better than normal. Think I'll leave the onions out in future. :)