It's important to use fresh slices of bread for the crumbs (the amount depends on the size of the bread and how "juicy" the mixture is when you're mixing it up). Fresh crumbled bread will keep your meatloaf lighter and juicier than using dry bread crumbs (so you don't have those "bricks" that most meatloaf resembles).
COFFFEE BOURBON Glazed MEATLOAF
1/4 cup minced yellow or white onion......................1 large carrot, peeled & minced (optional)
2 tsp. crushed or minced garlic................................1 lb. extra-lean ground beef (mine is 96/4)
1/2 tsp. cracked or crushed red pepper flakes........1 TB fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp. Kosher salt........................................................1 egg
1-2 pieces of fresh bread, crumbled up with your hands (I used pumpernickel here)
GLAZE:
2 TB brewed coffee...............................................2 TB bourbon (can substitute milk or apple juice)
2 TB brown sugar (or brown Splenda)......................2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
Heat these glaze ingredients in a microwave-proof bowl for about 2-3 minutes in microwave (whisk after each minute) until thickened, then whisk in:
2 TB ketchup or BBQ sauce................................2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
(NOTE: I think ketchup is too sweet, and prefer Stubb's BBQ sauce)
***
Preheat oven to 375. Generously spray a 7" or 8" loaf pan (I used a 9" pan, but it was too flat and took a little less time to bake) with non-stick olive oil spray.
Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a big bowl and mix together well (your hands work best). Pack it into the prepared pan and bake for about 20-30 minutes (depends what size pan you use & how thick the meatloaf is). Brush generously with the glaze; then bake for another 15-20 minutes (or until the meatloaf is cooked through). Let it sit in the pan for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
NOTE: Since I use extra-lean (96/4) ground beef, there really isn't any fat to drain off from the pan. If you use a grind with more fat, you may want to drain it before you glaze it (and certainly before you serve it).
Serves 3-4 ** Like most meatloaf dinners, this is perfect with mashed potatoes and green beans.