Mexican Polenta Meatloaf Recipes

MEXICAN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, mix thoroughly the ground beef and taco seasoning; set aside. In a medium saucepan, heat the refried beans over medium low heat until they are completely heated through.
• Place the ground beef mixture on a large piece of foil. Press the mixture into an approximately 1 inch thick square shape. Spread the refried beans evenly over the top of the flattened beef. Layer the flour tortillas on top of the refried beans, trimming the edges to fit the square. Layer tortillas with salsa and Cheddar cheese, staying 1/2 to 1 inch away from edges of the square.
• Gently roll the layered beef into a Swiss roll shape, pressing and compacting the loaf as you go. Pinch and seal the edges. Wrap in the foil and seal.
• Bake in preheated oven 40 to 45 minutes, or until no longer pink in the center. Cut loaf in half to test for doneness, if necessary.

MEXICAN POLENTA MEATLOAF

Steps:

• In large bowl, thoroughly mix together the hamburger, onions, pepper, tortilla chips, polenta and egg.
• In a separate bowl combine 1/2 can Ro-Tel, 1/2 can tomato sauce, tomato paste, onion flakes, chili powder, cumin, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper and brown sugar.
• Add the seasoned sauce to the hamburger mix and combine well.
• Place 1/2 of the meat mixture into an oven proof baking pan (I use a muffin tin)
• Make a layer of cheese over the meat stopping 1/2 inch away from the outer edge.
• Place the remaining hamburger mix over the cheese, pressing lightly around the edges to keep the cheese from dripping out.
• Mix together the remaining Ro-Tel and tomato sauce and spread evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
• Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
• Remove from oven and place a layer of cheese over the top and dot with jalepeno slices if desired.
• Return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes.

MEXICANA MEATLOAF WITH CILANTRO PESTO AND CRISPY TORTILLA STRIPS

Steps:

• For the meatloaf: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, stir together the panko and milk and set aside.
• Place the brisket and sirloin on a baking sheet and transfer to the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up. (This will make grinding cleaner and easier.) Grind the meat in a food processor or bench top grinder, following manufacturer's instructions. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the ground beef until ready to use.
• Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, poblano and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onions turn translucent. Add the cumin, oregano and ancho powder and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature. When cool, add the ground beef, the chorizo, the milk-soaked panko, and the egg, black beans and corn. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix until just combined (don't overwork the meat). Transfer the meatloaf mixture to a parchment-lined baking sheet and shape into a free-form loaf. Bake until the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the cilantro, parsley, pepitas, cumin, garlic and some salt and pepper. Pulse to a coarse paste; then slowly drizzle in the olive oil, while pulsing. Transfer the pesto to a bowl and fold in the cotija and Parmesan. Set aside.
• When the meatloaf is done, remove it from the oven and immediately spread some of the pesto over the top. Tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.
• For the tortilla strips: Fill a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven with 2 inches of oil, and heat the oil to 350 degrees F over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the tortilla strips until golden and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Season with salt.
• To serve: Cut the meatloaf into thick slices. Top with a dollop of cilantro pesto and some crispy tortilla strips. Serve.

QUAIL MEATLOAF ON POLENTA AND BRAISED CABBAGE

Steps:

• To make the quail stock:
• Roast the reserved quail bones and skin in an ovenproof saucepan until the bones take on color. Transfer the pan to the stovetop and set over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, rosemary, and sage. Add the wine and let it evaporate. Add the water and simmer the stock until it has reduced to one-quarter its original volume; you should have about 1 cup of stock. Strain out the solids and reserve.
• To make the meatloaf:
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Grind the reserved quail meat in a meat grinder; you'll need 1 pound of meat. In a medium bowl, immerse the bread in the milk until it's soaked. Meanwhile, combine the quail meat, sausage, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, and 1 teaspoon of the sage in a large bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk (discard the milk) and add it to the bowl. Mix well. Divide the mixture in half, and form each half into a loaf no wider than 3-inches in diameter. Roll each loaf in the breadcrumbs. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil in a large ovenproof saute pan set over medium-high heat. When the butter solids turn brown, sear both meatloafs until browned on all sides (if they don't both fit, sear them one at a time, adding more butter for the second loaf). Add the shallots, garlic, sage sprigs, and rosemary to the pan. When the onion begins to color, add the wine, let it evaporate, and then add 3/4 cup of the quail stock.
• Bake until the juices run clear when pricked with a skewer, 45 to 60 minutes. Transfer the meatloaf to a clean plate, remove and discard the sage and rosemary sprigs, and make the sauce in the pan. Add the cream and use a hand blender to puree the pan sauce. Set the pan over medium heat and let it reduce to a pleasing saucy consistency.
• To make the cabbage:
• Heat the butter and olive oil in a large braising pan set over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the cabbage and carrots, season with salt and pepper, and stir. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low heat. When the cabbage begins to wilt, add the wine, and let it evaporate. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of quail stock. Let the pan dry out, reduce the heat to very low, cover tightly, and braise until the cabbage is very tender and starts to color and stick to the pan, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• To serve:
• Cut the meatloaf into 1/3-inch thick slices and then cut each slice in half. Use an ice cream scoop to portion about 1/4 cup of polenta in the middle of a plate. Press a piece of plastic wrap on top and flatten the polenta to a circle that's about 4-inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick. Fan the meatloaf slices over the polenta, scoop some braised cabbage alongside and spoon the sauce over everything. Finish with freshly ground pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
• This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

MEXICAN TACO MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Thoroughly combine beef, tortilla chips, pepper Jack cheese, onion, and taco seasoning in a bowl.
• Whisk eggs, milk, and taco sauce together in a separate bowl. Add to meat mixture and stir until well combined.
• Press mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan and top with a strip of taco sauce down the center.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cooked through and browned on top, 45 to 60 minutes.

OLE POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For polenta, in a small bowl, whisk cornmeal, salt and 1 cup water until smooth. In a large saucepan, bring remaining water to a boil. Add cornmeal mixture, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 3 minutes. , Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 15 minutes. Divide mixture between 2 greased 8-in. square baking dishes. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1-1/2 hours., In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, green pepper and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, herbs and hot pepper sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until thickened., Loosen 1 polenta from sides and bottom of dish; invert onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet and set aside. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the remaining polenta. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan cheese. Top with reserved polenta and remaining meat mixture., Cover and bake at 350° until heated through, 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

MEXICAN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Mix meatloaf ingredients together.
• Tear off an 18 inch piece of either wax paper or plastic wrap and lay it down on the counter. Spread the meat mixture into a rectangle on the paper, about 1 inch thick.
• Layer filling mixture on the rectangle, leaving 1/2 inch along the long edge.
• Using the paper to guide you, roll the meatloaf, jellyroll style, from the short end. Pinch and fold the ends closed and place in meatloaf pan.
• Place in preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes. Take meatloaf out of oven and top with salsa and cheese.
• Place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until salsa is warm and cheese is melted.