Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and diced
• 1/2 pound mushrooms, trimmed and finely chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 Cup Beer
• 1/2 Cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh oregano, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound each lean ground beef, pork, veal
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 pound smoked bacon (sliced-about 13 slices)

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook over medium-high heat until they just begin to color, 3-5 minutes. Stir in the cream, beer, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl and let it cool.
2. Preheat the oven to 400F. Add to the bowl the beef, pork, and veal. Stir in the egg and continue mixing just until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. On a work surface, position a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with the bacon slices, placing them parallel tot the short end and slightly overlapping, with their ends hanging over the edges. Add the meat mixture to the pan patting it down to make it smooth and even. Fold the ends of the bacon strips up and over the meat mixture to enclose it completely. Cover the loaf pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and continue to bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat loaf registers 165 Fahrenheit, about 30 minutes more.
4. Remove the pan of meat loaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Carefully pour the juices from the pan into a sauce boat or heatproof cup. Cut the loaf crosswise into 8 slices, taking care to cut completely through the bacon with each slice. Serve each slice drizzled with pan juices.