Meats

SICILIAN MEAT LOAF

Polpettone alla Aixiliana
My Sicilian meat loaf will surprise your dinner
guests -- the secret is the cheese mixture that is
baked right into the meat. A big hit with kids. This
is very good : )

• 12 ounces lean ground beef
• 12 ounces lean ground pork
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 2 large eggs or 4 large egg whites, beaten
• 1/4 cup grated caciocavallo or Romano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon dried ground thyme
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste (optional)
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 slice prosiutto, diced
• 6 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the meat with the
bread crumbs, eggs, cheese, thyme, onion,
nutmeg, marinara sauce, pepper and salt. Pack the
mixture into a greased loaf pan measuring
approximately 10 by 5-1/4 inches. With a knife, clear
a trench approximately 2 inches deep by 2-
1/2 inches wide down the middle of the loaf,
pushing the meat to the side (the trench will be
filled later with the ricotta mixture).
Bake for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, mix the ricotta with the prosciutto
and set aside.
After 1 hour remove the meat loaf from the oven and
place the ricotta cheese mixture in the center
of the trench. Top with the tomatoes,
sprinkle with parsley, and bake for an additional 20
minutes, or until the meat is thoroughly
cooked. Serve.

Serves 4 to 6

Winter Pork Roast with Fresh Vegetables

• 2 lb. pork roast, boned, rolled
• 1 clove garlic, mashed
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 medium turnips, peeled, quartered
• 3 carrots, cut in 1 inch chunks
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 tsp. caraway seed
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup dry white wine

Rub roast with garlic. Place in clay cooker.
Arrange vegetables over and around roast. Sprinkle
with seasonings. Drizzle with wine.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 2 hours or until
tender. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes.