Everybody Loves Meatloaf: More Than 100 Recipes for Loaves and Fixings

This is just a terrific little recipe book that delivers. Very specialized, not gourmet, just homey, but that's what meatloaf is, isn't it? Nice variety of recipes for different meats, some easier than others so a beginner can produce a tasty meal but the more advanced cook will find interesting approaches as well.

I love meat-loaf! I thought I knew how to make meat-loaf. After reading this book I realized that I knew nothing. The classic old-fashioned meat-loaf recipe on pg 14 is worth $10.00 by itself. The author covers all kinds of loaves, chicken and turkey, seafood like the dilled salmon loaf was outstanding! there is also believe it or not vegetarian loaves (but not quite vegan). and one of the best chapters is devoted to sauces and glazes because when it all comes down to it, Its the crunchy top that is the best part! there is 14 different sauces to try and the few that I have tried were outstanding! and to round it out she even included an old classic mashed potato recipe. For $10.00 this hard-covered gem should not be passed by!!!

Everyone laughs when I tell them I have a cookbook with nothing but meatloaf recipes, but I've found it to be very useful. The author does a very nice job of discusing basic meatloaf "theory", (with some nice reminiscences about her grandmother) which makes it easy invent your own recipes in addition to using the ones in the book. Every recipe I've made from this book has been a winner, even the ones that depart pretty far from the meatloaf norm, like the Curried Apple Chicken Loaf. I also like the many suggestions for what to serve with the recipes, and the "fixings" recipes at the back.

All in all, an imaginative and creative take on preparing meatloaf. I was especially impressed as various cuisines were explored; i.e., Mediterranean, Greek, Indian, Italian, etc. There were also good pointers for using turkey and chicken as well as some good recipes for using poultry in meatloaf. So, why the four stars, and not five? Too much reliance on chili sauce and bacon strips as a topping and little or no variety of the brown gravy type of meatloaf. Also, the editors missed a "biggie." There is a recipe for a spinach cheese loaf, and guess what? Spinach is not listed in the ingredients and not mentioned in the preparation so readers are on their own for determining how much and what type of spinach to use. Otherwise, a good guide, and one that I will use for new meatloafs.