Meatloaf

I dont always cook Maldivian dishes. This is one of my favorite dishes to make, AFter seeing some on Dishesdone and Erica's meatloaf recipes, both totally different I wanted to make a meatloaf for dinner. So this is last night's dinner. I made the meatloaf from my tried and tested recipe from a book called Around the world in 350 recipes, a great book for someone who has limited experience with food. Its a great book for someone who is hungry to learn other cuisines, cos its got recipes from, Asia, Europe , the middle east and even American . So hope you all enjoy it, goes well with great mash potatoes and gravy. 

 Ingredients for Meatloaf,( some of the ingredients I have changed according to my mood and what I have) 

 500g minced beef

 2 slices white sandwich bread made into breadcrumbs ( it makes bout 3/4 cups so use any kind of bread that you have) 

1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped ( or use dried mixed herbs) 

1 tsp cumin ground 

a good pinch of ground black pepper 

1 tsp light soy sauce a table spoon or 2 of ketchup

 1/2 tsp mustard ( optional) 

Salt 

1 large egg 

1 onion chopped 

 1. Saute the onion in a frying pan with a little butter or oil, till translucent and just starting to brown.

 2. Place everything else in a large mixing bowl, add the sauteed onions, and mix well to combine and it all comes together into a nice big ball. 

Note : according to the recipe you are not to over mix )

 3. you can bake this in a greased loaf tin or just shape it into an oval loaf and place it in an oiled baking tray and bake in a preheated oven 200 degrees celsius for about 45 minutes till nice and brown on top . 

 Gravy, I have this really easy gravy recipe from a book based on sausages. Its a really easy one , but its got a secret ingredient, Marmite. I made it a bit more peppery by adding freshly ground black pepper. 

 Melt 1 tbsp butter, mix in 1 tbsp flour, and once its mixed stir in a solution made of 1/2 tsp marmite and 250ml water. Stir to cook and thicken the sauce and finally taste add salt and a generous helping of pepper.

 Enjoy. Oh and also to those who are celebrating Lunar new year, Gong Xi Fa Cai! Ps why do they give mandarins ? just curious to know , so somebody help me out here:)