kind of like the old-fashioned, low-brow sweet vinegariness of a ketchup-and-brown-sugar glaze Draping the loaf in bacon wouldn’t any harm either I still haven’t tried topping my loaf with bananas as Mr Nickerson so helpfully suggested As he could tell you, though, the beauty of meat loaf lies in the almost infinite ways in which it can be customized So long as your ratio of meat to binders is correct, the sky’s the limit as to what you can I sometimes add chopped pickles or briny olives Pine nuts or almonds also add texture and flavor My mother—who, I believed for a long time, looked for ways to hide raisins where you’d least expect them–would probably enjoy some raisins in her loaf I’m not one to judge ALL-AMERICAN MEAT LOAF NOTES: For best results, grind your own meat (see here) If grinding meat, use pork shoulder and beef chuck (or a mix of short rib meat and brisket) Keep your hands well moistened when forming the loaf, to prevent sticking If you don’t require or desire a perfect loaf shape, the meat loaf can be formed free-form on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet without using a loaf pan, though it will sag a bit and come out only a couple of inches tall Cooking instructions are the same ... NOTES: For best results, grind your own meat (see here) If grinding meat, use pork shoulder and beef chuck (or a mix of short rib meat and brisket) Keep your hands well moistened when forming the loaf, to prevent sticking... loaf shape, the meat loaf can be formed free-form on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet without using a loaf pan, though it will sag a bit and come out only a couple of inches tall Cooking instructions are the same... baking sheet without using a loaf pan, though it will sag a bit and come out only a couple of inches tall Cooking instructions are the same