Cuban Meat Loaf Pulpeta

serves 4-6.

Cuban Meat Loaf Pulpeta

serves 4-6.

1/2 pounds ground round

1/4 pound ground lean pork

1/4 pound ground ham

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes, ground

2 bay leaf, ground

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoons gf soy sauce

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups gf bread crumbs

3 large eggs, hard-boiled

20 olives w/pimiento

1/2 cup olive oil

1 small onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons hot sauce (Chipotle flavour if you can get it)

2 bay leaves

1/4 cup lime juice

1 cup water or Beef Stock

Preheat oven to 350°F

In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, ham, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, ground chilli flakes, salt, pepper, oregano, ground bay leaf, 1/2 of the garlic, and soy sauce, and mix well. Add half the beaten eggs and 3/4 cups of the bread crumbs and continue mixing until the mixture is well blended, adding a bit more cracker meal if it is sticky.

Shape the meat into a cylinder loaf about 8” long. Cut the loaf in half length wise. Place 3 of the hard-boiled eggs in the center of the loaf, line the olives down both sides of the eggs. Place the two halves of the loaf back together sealing the edges back together. Brush loaves with the remaining beaten eggs, and roll again in the bread crumbs.

In a skillet that will fit the loaf comfortably, heat the oil over medium heat until fragrant, brown all sides of the loaf, turning very gently with 2 wooden spoons. Set the loaves aside.

In the same skillet, over medium heat, sauté onions until golden, add remaining garlic, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, bay leaves, tomato paste, lime juice, hot sauce and stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil.

Put loaf in a casserole dish, pour sauce over loaf and bake in oven for 40 to 45 minutes, turning the loaves once.

Remove the bay leaves from the sauce. Transfer the loaves to a platter, and allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing 1/4 inch thick. Serve hot, accompanied by the sauce.