21DSD Recipe: Mini Mexi-Meatloaves

Meatloaf is a great way to take your basic ground meat and turn it into something delicious.

Mini Mexi-Meatloaves

grain-free • gluten-free • dairy-free • sugar-free

PREP TIME: 25 minutes
COOKING TIME: 40-50 minutes
YIELD: 4-6 servings

for the sauce topping:

ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil, duck fat, or bacon fat
• 1 small onion, finely diced (1/2 cup)
• 2 cloves of garlic, pressed or grated (1/2 Tbsp)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper – or more to taste
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 bell pepper, any color, grated (or very finely diced)
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

preparation:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a small sauce pan over medium-low heat, combine the tomato paste, water, bell pepper, cilantro, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper and simmer for about 5-10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients for the meatloaves – stirring occasionally to prevent burning. If your sauce reduces too far and looks like it may burn, add more water, 2 tablespoons at a time, and whisk to combine. The sauce should have a fairly thick consistency, almost like ketchup, not loose like a pasta sauce.

In a medium skillet, melt the duck fat and sautée the onions over medium low heat until they are translucent and the edges begin to brown. Add the minced garlic and stir for about a minute.

In a large-sized mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and then place the ground meat into the bowl with the beaten eggs. In a small mixing bowl, combine the spices, carrots, bell pepper, and cilantro. Then add the spice and vegetable mixture to the meat and egg until well combined.

Divide the meatloaf mixture into 2 parchment paper-lined mini loaf pans (or use 1 large tin, baking time may vary), filling them up and slightly over the top as the mixture will shrink a bit in cooking.

Spoon about 1/4 cup of the sauce onto each loaf, spreading it into an even layer to coat the top and reserve the remaining amount for dipping after the loaves are baked.

Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature of the loaves reaches 160°F.