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Food & Drink by Shari McIntyre (formerly Darling) For more information on wine and food, go to www.sharidarling.com There are generally four types of ground beef to choose fromwhen it comes to fat content. Extra-lean ground beef has a maximum of 10 per cent fat. Lean ground possesses 17 per cent fat, while the mediumhas 23 per cent fat. Regular ground beef has about 30 per cent fat. When it comes to meatloaf, I like to use different fat contents depending on the recipe. Meatloaf stuffed with mozzarella and topped with bacon already contains a lot of additional fat. For this recipe, I like to work with extralean ground beef to keep the fat content of the entire dish as low as possible. I also choose mozzarella with half the fat. Marry this meatloaf with a glass of smooth and fruity red wine. Merlot is a good choice. The wine’s weight will stand up to the fattiness of this dish with the beef, cheese and bacon. Merlot has a deliciously smooth texture that matches the creamy texture of the melted mozzarella. Other good wine choices include Shiraz and Zinfandel. Both my husband and I grew up with moms who made homemade meatloaf. It was certainly a staple in our household. Today, meatloaf remains a favourite in our household. We are always looking for new ways to enjoy ground beef, as it is such a great source of protein. I still love meatloaf with a layer of good ol’ ketchup. But there are so many other ingredients to use and wonderful ways to alter the classic meatloaf recipe to add variety to your meals. Some different types include: • Meatloaf with Spicy Tomato Jam (rather than ketchup) • Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf • BBQ Glazed Meatloaf • Greek Meatloaf with Mint, Oregano, Parsley and Feta cheese • Meatloaf Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes • Italian Meatloaf with Shredded Zucchini • Bacon Chorizo Chipotle Smothered Meatloaf • Meatloaf Stuffed with Spinach and Mozzarella • French Onion Soup Au Gratin Stuffed Meatloaf • And more! No matter the recipe, it is important to shop for fresh ground beef. When purchasing this flesh, look for clear cellophane wrapping. Make sure that there are no tears in the wrapping, allowing oxygen and bacteria to penetrate. Be sure to check the expiry date. The flesh should be bright cherry red with some fat marbling. If the meat is brown or gray, it may have begun to spoil. Meatloaf is nutritious comfort food. A large slice of meatloaf has between 180 calories and 294 calories, about 23 grams of protein, and 27 grams of total fat. This recipe contains more calories, due to the mozzarella and bacon. Meatloaf 56 | www.snowbirds.org

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