I’m not going to lie. The men-with-no-hair thing just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not talking about men that are balding. I’m talking about men that have zero hair on top a la Michael Jordan, Moby, Vin Diesel and the like. But that being said, Tom Colicchio, on the other hand, is a whole ‘nother story. He is a little drink of hotness served up with a side of sparkling blue eyes. Never heard of him? He’s the head judge of Bravo TV’s Top Chef and has a string of successful restaurants and cookbooks. I don’t know what it is about him, but for him, my man-must-have-hair rule quickly goes out the window.
People magazine has been running a Meals Under $10 column, and one of the recent celeb chefs to make an appearance was Tom himself. With meatloaf. Love meatloaf. Total.comfort.food. A stick-to-your-ribs dinner one night, and a delicious lunch sandwich the next, how can one not like meatloaf? I’ll never understand it. I think I actually look more forward to the warm sandwiches the next day than the original dinner serving. Toasted white bread, healthy amounts of ketchup and mayo, total yum.
Usually when I make meatloaf, I wing it. Ground beef, a little bit of this, a dash of that, and a whole lotta something else. I don’t measure, I just do. But for Tom, I measured. I poured. I mixed. I followed the recipe, his recipe, to the letter. I always use a loaf pan when making meatloaf. I never do the whole shape-it-into-a-loaf on the baking sheet thing. But, of course, Tom wanted me to. So I did.
When the meatloaf came out, it was bubbly and juicy and just so incredibly mouthwatering that I couldn’t wait to dig in. As much as I love meatloaf, I’m not sure it’s the type of dish that can ever be elevated to OMG status. I mean, really, it’s a hunk of meat. You want it moist and juicy and you want it to taste like meat. This does. So does mine. No matter which recipe you use, as long as it covers the basics (egg or other binder, meat, light seasonings, ketchup), you can’t go wrong. If you’re looking for a recipe, feel free to use Tom’s version below. I don’t think he’ll mind one little bit.
Tom Colicchio’s Meatloaf
Recipe courtesy of People magazine
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
2 lbs. ground beef (85% lean)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano, or 1/2 tbsp. dried oregano
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. ketchup
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, saute the onion in the oil until golden. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes (be careful not to burn the garlic). Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. In a bowl, combine beef, eggs, onion, bread crumbs, oregano, mustard, salt and pepper. Form a loaf (approximately 7 x 5 x 3 in. in size) and place it in a roasting pan. Cover the loaf evenly with the ketchup. Bake loaf for about 1 hour, until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Remove and allow to rest slightly, then cut into 1/2-in. slices.
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Oh, Cate. I have such a chef-crush on Tom (yes, we are on a first name basis in my head). He has simply dazzling eyes and that amazing chef brain … oooooooh. Swoon.
As for meatloaf, I fall into the category of people you don’t understand. It is my absolute, 100 percent, least favorite meal. No comfort for me there. Blech. Why eat a loaf of meat? What did that poor ground beef do to you? :)
Sarah Carons last blog post..Grilling Up the Perfect Homemade Hamburger
haha – I hear you on the baldness thing. I though, am a sucker for a goatee. And man, if the guy has a goatee and an Australian or European accent, I’m sunk. Your meatloaf looks good – it’s one of those meals that just screams “take care of me please”.
Cathys last blog post..Counting down the days………………
I am gonna tell that you have his meatloaf – what will your husband think?
doggybloggys last blog post..one trick pony
This meatloaf sounds excellent! Wonder if it will work just as well with veal (that’s what I have in my freezer right now).
Natasha – 5 Star Foodies last blog post..Savory Turnovers with Wine Jelly
Looks delicious. I have been meaning to make this for a few months. And, you found the recipe for me! Love how that worked out.
Starnesfams last blog post..The Land Of BBQ
The Dijon mustard must be the thing that sets his meatloaf apart.
I’m thinking some fresh chopped parsley might be nice in it as well.
Nates last blog post..Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Ultimate Backyard Lu’au
That sounds delicious and I’m all for meals that make for marvellous next day meals or leftovers! :)
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigellas last blog post..Lat Dior African Eatery, Enmore
sounds like a winner to me. Plus, Tom is HOT! I’m glad his meatloaf came out good – if it didn’t I would have talked about him. – lol
Darius T. Williamss last blog post..The Monte Cristo Challenge
I must try this. I love when chefs share their home-cooked goodies.
dawns last blog post..morning glory muffin
still chuckling about the men-with-no-hair thing ;)
I’m a huge fan of all foods that make good leftovers, for sure!
Ok…I have known you for many years and even during our oh-so-single years I have never, ever heard you gush about a man like that!
Here is a tid-bit about me and all of my many cooking adventures…I never use ground meat. I never make burgers, meatloaf and even skip the meatballs when I make pasta.
The problem…back in the 70’s, my mother used to say all the time that you never know what they put in ground beef. She would say they put in rabbit face, cow intestines (later found out that that’s used in hot dogs) and anything else that the butcher needed to get rid of.
Oh, Cate, help rid me of this fear!!! Talk me down and get me over this so I can make my husbands favorite meal!! I never realized it is so easy to make!!
I’m with you, most bald men don’t do it for me… but, something about Tom makes me unable to turn away from the TV! I adore him!
Patsys last blog post..Ellie Krieger’s Portobello Panini
It looks so yummy! Too bad I’m the ONLY one in the family that likes it. Does it freeze well? Has anyone tried?
Jesss last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
I love meatloaf, am I in the minority? It spells comfort to me. This recipe sounds excellent. I have to try it. Looks excellent.
donnas last blog post..The Ultimate Cheesecake for TFF
I love Tom. He is probably my favorite Top Chef host. I never liked meatloaf as a kid but like it now that I make it myself. There must have been something my mom put in it that I didn’t like but that I just don’t include. Either that or my tastes have changed….it happens. Meatloaf is one of those recipes that everyone does a little differently and so I’m always interested in comparing recipes to find the ULTIMATE one. I will be giving this one a shot.
Joannes last blog post..Gingerbread Pancakes
while i’m not a huge meatloaf fan, i am a fan of tom :) hehe
ttfn300s last blog post..Mexican Slaw
I’m with ya on the shaved heads. My then-boyfriend did it in high school because he lost a bet. It looked awful and I’ve had an aversion ever since.
Mariss last blog post..The Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge: Bagels (Week 3)
I found Tom’s recipe in a magazine….it is soooo easy and suuuuper good!!!
Definite comfort food. Must try!
Gotta <3 Tom :D
I’m totally in sync with you about Tom…I’ve loved him since forever. Who notices his head when you are looking at the eyes??
A good friend in NYC has another friend who lives in the same building he does In Manhattan, and sees him from time to time, usually in the elevator. She said he’s exceptionally nice, and even better looking in person, if that’s even remotely possible. Apparently, he looks younger in person. God, I love him. Making the meatloaf.
I’ve tried Tom’s meatloaf recipe and few times and honestly, there’s nothing like it. I’m a meatloaf lover and I’ve eaten really bad meatloaf and meatloaf that’ll make you scream, “hell yeah!” and Tom’s meatloaf makes me scream, “hell yeah!” Keep doing what you do best, Tom!