Latvian Medla with Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 slices of bread, soaked in milk 2 slices of bread, soaked in milk
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat: 25g (12g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 20g (4g sugars)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, soaked bread, eggs, salt, black pepper, paprika, and nutmeg. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it in a greased baking dish.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, toss the carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. 5.
   Arrange the seasoned vegetables around the meatloaf in the baking dish.
6. 6.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground pork and beef — Ensure that the meat is well-ground and evenly mixed to achieve a moist and tender meatloaf.
• Soaked bread — Use stale bread and soak it in milk until it becomes soft. This helps to keep the meatloaf moist.
• Roasted vegetables — Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Toss them with olive oil and seasonings for a delicious caramelized flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the meat mixture.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatloaf mixture.
• Serve the medla with a dollop of sour cream on top for added creaminess.
• Leftover medla makes a delicious sandwich filling when sliced and served on crusty bread.
• Experiment with different vegetables for roasting, such as zucchini or eggplant, to add variety to the dish.

Serving advice

Slice the medla into thick slices and serve it alongside the roasted vegetables. Accompany the dish with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the slices of medla on a platter, surrounded by the colorful roasted vegetables. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of green. The vibrant colors and enticing aroma will make this dish a feast for the eyes.