German Meat Cake

Ingredients

• Meatloaf: Meatloaf:
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 slices of bread, soaked in milk and squeezed 2 slices of bread, soaked in milk and squeezed
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon marjoram 1 tablespoon marjoram
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Mashed Potato Filling: Mashed Potato Filling:
• 1kg (2.2 lb) potatoes, peeled and boiled 1kg (2.2 lb) potatoes, peeled and boiled
• 100ml (1/2 cup) milk 100ml (1/2 cup) milk
• 50g (1/4 cup) butter 50g (1/4 cup) butter
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Bacon and Onion Gravy: Bacon and Onion Gravy:
• 200g (7 oz) bacon, diced 200g (7 oz) bacon, diced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 500ml (2 cups) beef broth 500ml (2 cups) beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, soaked bread, eggs, marjoram, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Grease a round cake pan and press half of the meat mixture into the bottom, forming a meatloaf base.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, mash the boiled potatoes with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
5. 5.
   Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meatloaf base in the cake pan.
6. 6.
   Top the mashed potatoes with the remaining meat mixture, pressing it gently to form the top layer.
7. 7.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the top is golden brown.
8. 8.
   While the meat cake is baking, prepare the bacon and onion gravy. In a skillet, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
9. 9.
   In the same skillet, sauté the thinly sliced onion in the bacon fat until caramelized.
10. 10.
    Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and cook for a minute, stirring constantly.
11. 11.
    Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook the gravy until thickened, then add the cooked bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
12. 12.
    Once the meat cake is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before removing it from the cake pan.
13. 13.
    Serve the German Meat Cake sliced, topped with the bacon and onion gravy.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and pork — Make sure to use lean ground meat to avoid excessive fat in the meatloaf.
• Marjoram and caraway seeds — These traditional German spices add a unique flavor to the meatloaf. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.
• Potatoes — Choose starchy potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon Gold, for the creamiest mashed potatoes.
• Bacon — Opt for thick-cut bacon for a more substantial texture and flavor in the gravy.
• Beef broth — Use homemade or low-sodium beef broth to control the saltiness of the gravy.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the meatloaf mixture.
• If you prefer a crispier top layer, brush the meat cake with a beaten egg before baking.
• Customize the gravy by adding a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce for extra depth of flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. Simply reheat the slices in the oven or microwave.
• Serve the German Meat Cake with a side of sauerkraut and pickles for a traditional German meal.

Serving advice

Slice the German Meat Cake into thick wedges and serve it on individual plates. Drizzle the bacon and onion gravy generously over each slice. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve with a side of sauerkraut and pickles.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can pipe the mashed potatoes onto the meatloaf base using a star-shaped piping tip. This will create an elegant and decorative pattern on the top layer of the meat cake. Sprinkle some additional caraway seeds or chopped fresh herbs on top for an extra touch of visual appeal.