Classic Meatloaf

A weekend winner that will never let you down has to be meatloaf.  Did you know it has European origin and was mentioned in the renowned Roman cookery collection 'Apicius' as early back as the 5th century?  It is a traditional German and Belgian dish, and a cousin to the Dutch meatball.  It also happens to be our dinner tonight, here we go ...

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
24 slices smoked black ham / pancetta
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 egg
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
500g beef mince
1/2 cup ham / pancetta, extra
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat over to 180'C
Heat oil in a pan and saute onion and garlic until soft, allow to cool
Line a 22 x 8 x 7cm tin with ham (all sides and bottom) slightly overlapping
Place breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl, mix and stand for 5 min
Add onion mix, rosemary, 1 tsp mustard, egg, Parmesan, mince, chopped ham, salt & pepper and mix well
Press down firmly in the time with the back of a spoon
Cut some aluminium foil to size of the pan and cover the top to fit exactly
Bake 40 min
Leave to rest for 5 min before turning it out on a lined tray with non-stick baking paper
Smear top with balance of the Dijon mustard
Bake for another 8 min until golden brown.

Serve hot with some lovely thick gravy and mash .... delish!