Jewish Fusion

I can hardly believe that I am including a meatloaf recipe in this online cookbook. Going all the way back to my childhood, I hardly ever enjoyed meatloaf. It was always too dry or simply too boring for my taste. At last, I believe I have discovered a special ingredient from Mexico that adds a little something extra to make this meatloaf actually memorable. Chipotle chilies are fully ripened and smoked jalapeno peppers that have been roasted. They are not very spicy, but definitely add a special touch.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce dried chipotle chilies, stemmed
  2 ripe medium sized Italian Roma tomatoes, cored
  3 garlic cloves, peeled
  2 cups water
  2 Tablespoons olive oil
  1 medium onion, diced
  3 celery stalks, diced
  1 teaspoon ground cumin
  1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  11/4 pounds ground beef
  11/4 pounds ground turkey
  1/2 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
  11/2 teaspoons salt
  3 large eggs, beaten to blend

Directions:

• Combine chipotles, tomatoes, garlic and water in medium saucepan.
  Season with salt and pepper.
  Bring to boil.
  Reduce heat and simmer until reduced by 1/3, about 20 minutes.
  Cool.
  Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth, then strain.
  Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium high heat.
  Add onion and celery and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.
  Add cumin and nutmeg and stir 1 minute.
  Remove from heat. Transfer to large bowl. Cool.
  Preheat oven to 375º F.
  Add beef, turkey, bread crumbs and salt to onion mixture.
  Add ½ cup chipotle sauce.
  Mix until well blended. Add eggs and mix well.
  Press mixture into 9 x 5inch loaf pan.
  Brush top with some of remaining chipotle sauce.
  Bake meatloaf until a meat thermometer registers 160ºF, about 1 hour.
  Transfer to rack. Cool slightly. Drain off any grease.
  Turn meatloaf out onto platter. Serve with remaining sauce.

This sosaties kebab recipe is a multi-day project, in that the ingredients require marinating for 2 or 3 days, which gives it such a wonderful flavor. Still, this is an easy recipe and a sure pleaser. It just takes a little planning.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds lamb cut into 1″ pieces
  1 garlic clove, peeled
  Salt, pepper
  4 Tablespoons oil
  1 cup onions, chopped
  1 teaspoon curry powder
  1 clove garlic, minced
  2 Tablespoon sugar
  1 Tablespoon tamarind paste
  2 cups white vinegar
  2 Tablespoons apricot jam
  2 Tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tablespoons red wine
  ½ pound dried apricots
  ½ cup dry sherry

Directions:

• Place the lamb pieces in a large bowl that has been rubbed with the clove of garlic.
  Season with salt and pepper, and toss.
  In a saucepan, heat the oil.
  Cool, then add to the meat and toss well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  One day before preparing the sosaties, combine the dried apricots and sherry in a small bowl, cover, and let sit overnight in the refrigerator.
  Drain meat from sauce and reserve. Thread lamb and apricots on skewers.
  Grill over charcoal until browned on all sides.
  Add the onions and sauté for 5-6 minutes, then add the curry powder and garlic.
  Sauté for another minute. Add the sugar, tamarind paste, vinegar, and jam and stir well.
  Stir the cornstarch mixture and add it to the onions, and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens, (about 3 minutes).

Serve with heated marinating sauce.