Spinach Meatloaf Recipe

Adapted from "The Essential New York Times Cookbook: Classic Recipes for a New Century" by Amanda Hesser

Total: 1 hr, plus about 1 hr 30 mins cooking and cooling time
Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Game plan: To make the fresh breadcrumbs, cut or tear the bread into rough 1-inch pieces. Place them in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and process to the desired texture, about 1 minute.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound fresh bunched spinach, tough stems removed, or 1 (10-ounce) package fresh baby spinach
• 1 1/4 pounds ground veal, pork, or beef, or a combination of all three
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (from a 1- to 2-inch-thick slice of Italian batard, crust removed)
• 1 medium garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 cup small-dice celery (from about 2 medium stalks)
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion (from 1/2 medium onion)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 bacon slices
• Tomato sauce, warmed, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Rinse the spinach well in cold water and drain. Place in a large frying pan, cover, and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes. (It is not necessary to add liquid; the spinach will cook in the water clinging to the leaves.)
3. Transfer the spinach to a colander and douse with cold water to chill. Drain and press with your hands to extract most of the moisture. Coarsely chop the spinach.
4. Place the meat in a large bowl, followed by the chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, garlic, measured salt and pepper, and nutmeg (no need to mix yet); set aside.
5. Place the celery, parsley, and milk in a blender and blend until puréed. Add to the meat mixture.
6. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add to the meat mixture.
7. Add the eggs to the meat mixture and, using clean hands, mix everything until evenly combined (don’t squeeze or overwork the mixture). If desired, test for seasoning by forming a small patty and cooking it in the small skillet over medium heat until no longer pink inside. Taste the patty and add more salt and pepper to the meat mixture as needed. Repeat the seasoning test as needed.
8. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, spread to the edges, and smooth out the top. Cover the meatloaf with the bacon slices, laying them lengthwise and side by side.
9. Bake in the oven until just cooked through, turning the pan 180 degrees halfway through, about 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Pour off the excess fat and let the meatloaf stand for 20 minutes before slicing. If you choose, serve with tomato sauce.