The Fifth Taste

I've always loved the notion of a nice Sunday dinner -- since The Hubs and I were engaged, I've tried hard to make Sunday a day of relaxation, indulgence, and produtivity... a day that always ends with a nice meal.  Now that we're all married up and getting settled (and football season is in full swing), our Sundays typically consist of coffee, "big breakfast," and LOTS of football. 

(To clarify - the hubs is actually WATCHING and caring about football - I'm reading, talking, facebooking, writing, making grocery lists, cooking, etc).

Today is no exception. 

The world turned white yesterday -- MN's first snow of the season (and naturally, it was the day we picked to rent a storage locker and start consolidating our things), which means that today's 20 degree temps called for some comfort food.  During a momentary lapse of judgment, I braved SuperTarget at 10:30 AM the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and ran away scared -- but not before picking up ingredients for tonight's feast -- Umami Meatloaf.

Do you know what Umami is?  It's "the fifth taste" , and ever since I discovered this amazing product, I've been hooked -- bruschetta, pasta, eggs... and tonight I'm putting it in meatloaf.

I can't really explain the flavor, you just have to trust me, and you just have to try it.

Since we'll be having plenty of turkey this week, I decided it was a beef night.

Umami Meatloaf
2 lbs ground beef (85/15)
2 eggs
1 small onion, diced
1 cup of bread crumbs
1 cup of 2% milk (I used 1%)
1 cup of ketchup
1 TBSP worcestire sauce
1 TBSP Umami paste
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp dry sage
2 cloves of garlic, minced

Start by whisking the eggs; then combine everything EXCEPT the ketchup.  Mold the beef into a loaf; top with ketchup.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 for about 1 hr 15 minutes.

Serve in slices.  With a smear of lingonberry jam.  Atop mashed potatoes.  With a side of roasted vegetables.  Have seconds.

Enjoy!

Off and running,
~Jessica