Meat Loaf with Hidden Eggs

by Anne Mehr
(Canada)

Here's what I love to make for Easter when there are kids around. The German word for meatloaf is "Falscher Hasse" meaning "Fake Rabbit" and what's better for Easter than rabbit!

I put a couple of peeled hard-boiled eggs inside the loaf before I bake it. The kids love to see the eggs appear when the meatloaf is sliced.

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs ground lean beef
  
• 4 eggs
  
• 1 cup bread crumbs
  
• 3 tsp salt
  
• 1 tsp pepper
  
• 4 hard-boiled eggs
  
• 8 slices bacon
  

1. Into a very large bowl put in all the ingredients except the hard-boiled eggs and bacon.
   
2. Mix thoroughly with your hands.
   
3. Divide the meat mixture into 4 sections. Pat each section into a rectangle about 8' x 4" (approx.) Lay 2 peeled hard-boiled eggs lengthwise on each of two of the meat rectangles. Cover with remaining meat rectangles and seal edges by pressing together.
   
4. Gently form the 'meatloaf' into a 'meatloaf' shape with your hands.
   
5. Place both meatloaves onto a rimmed baking pan.
   
6. Cover with the bacon slices.
   
7. Roast in a preheated 375 F. oven for about 1 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 165 F.
   
8. Let the loaves stand at room temperature about 15 minutes before slicing.
   
9. Makes 2 meatloaves, each one serving about 4 - 6 people.