Meat Loaf with Onion Sauce

50g of Butter/Margarine
1 Tspn of Paprika
2 Medium Onions, Finely Chopped
450g of Minced Beef
65g of Fresh Breadcrumbs
1 Clove of Garlic, Crushed
4 Tbspn of Tomato Paste
Salt & Pepper to Taste
1 Egg, Beaten
15g of Plain Flour
1 Tbspn Chopped Fresh Mixed Herbs
300ml of Milk

Grease a 450g loaf tin, then line the base with greaseproof paper and set aside. Melt 1/2 the butter in a frying pan, add half the onions and cook until softened. Add the paprika and cook for 1 minute, stirring and then turn the mixture into a large bowl. Add the beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, tomato puree, herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly until evenly mixed, then bind with the beaten egg.

Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin, level the surface and cover tightly with foil, Stand the tin in a roasting tin and pour in water to a depth of 2.5 cm. Bake in the oven at 180.C for 1 ½ hours.

Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a saucepan. Add the rest of the onion and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, until soft but not browned. Add the flour and cook over a low heat, stirring for
2 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and gradually blend in the milk, stirring after each addition to prevent lumps forming. Bring to the boil slowly and continue to cook, stirring all the time, until the sauce comes to the boil and thickens. Simmer very gently for a further 2-3 minutes, then add salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, turn out the meat loaf onto a warmed serving plate and peel off the lining paper. Serve immediately with the hot onion sauce.

This recipes along with many other family favourites are in the Marysville Cookbook, you too can own a copy for $35 anywhere in Australia. $10 from EACH AND EVERY sale helps the community of Marysville rebuild from the devastation of the Black Saturday Fires of February 2009
Marysville Cookbook
As at the 18th February 2011 - I've raised the amount of $3,480.00, which has been given back to Marysville through various community/educational groups