Basic Lean Meat Loaf

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. 2

   Heat a nonstick skillet, add onion and cook over low heat, stirring, about five minutes, until the onion starts to soften.

3. 3

   Add garlic, stir, and cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes longer, until onion and garlic start to brown.

4. 4

   Remove from heat.

5. 5

   While the onion and garlic are cooking, put the bread crumbs in a bowl, moisten with half a cup of water and allow to soak.

6. 6

   Put the ground beef in a mixing bowl, the bowl of an electric mixer or a food processor.

7. 7

   Add the egg white, cooked onion and garlic, thyme, sage, vinegar, tomato paste, salt and pepper.

8. 8

   Squeeze out be bread crumbs and add them.

9. 9

   Mix all the ingredients until they are very well blended by hand, with an electric beater or in a food processor.

10. 10

    Pack the mixture into a loaf pan 8 by 4 by 2 inches.

11. 11

    Put in the oven and bake an hour and 15 minutes.

12. 12

    Remove from the oven and pour all the liquid in the pan into a bowl.

13. 13

    Skim off all the fat.

14. 14

    Use the remaining juices as a light sauce for the meat loaf or add them to the tomato sauce.

15. 15

    Serve with tomato sauce if desired, or prepared ketchup.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.