Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Lidia Bastianich's Italian American Meatloaf & Boos Board Giveaway

By: The Food Hunter

I recently wrote a post discussing the importance of using quality knives; equally important is the surface you use those knives on. I’ve been through many cutting boards over the years but none have been as amazing as the Boos block I recently received.

As you can imagine I do a lot of chopping so a durable board is important to me. My new Boos block is 2 1/4" thick and made of maple; it provides a nice wide cutting space and has helper handles on the side to make it easy to carry. Did I mention it’s also dual sided?



Enough shop talk, let's move on to the real reason we are here: meatloaf! I came across this Italian inspired meatloaf from Lidia Bastianich and decided to make it for a dinner party I was having. I know what you are thinking, meatloaf for a dinner party? Yes! This recipe is not for the boring meatloaf you grew up with as a kid it's for a moist loaf made with both ground beef & pork, a handful of chopped vegetables. The secrete to why this meatloaf is so moist? There's tomato sauce cooked into it.



Italian American Meatloaf
(courtesy of Lidia Bastianich)

2 cups cubes of country bread with crust
1 cup milk
2 medium carrots, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, cut into chunks
2 medium stalks celery, cut into chunks
1½ pounds ground beef
1½ pounds ground pork
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped
1 cup grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 cup pureed canned tomatoes
½ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Put the bread cubes in a medium bowl, and pour the milk over them. Let the bread soak until it is soft. Meanwhile, combine the carrots, celery, and onion in a food processor, and pulse to make a fine- textured paste or pestata.

When the bread is soft, squeeze out the excess milk and put the bread in a large mixing bowl. Mix the pestata, ground meats, scallions, grated cheese, marinara sauce, parsley, salt, and oregano with the bread, using your hands to distribute all of the ingredients evenly. Oil a 10- by- 15- inch Pyrex or ceramic baking dish with the olive oil. Form the meat mixture into a loaf in the oiled pan.

Place in the oven, and bake until browned and cooked through (the center of the meatloaf should read 165 degrees F on an instant- read thermometer), about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

In order for me to support my knowledge-sharing/writing/blogging activities, I occasionally may receive monetary compensation and or product in exchange for my recommendation, and/or testimonial. However, I only recommend products or services I have personally used myself and trust.  

123 comments:

  1. Love your Boos board with handles on the side and look forward to trying the meat loaf recipe!!

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  2. I haven't used a wood cutting board in years. I would love to have one.

    bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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  3. That cutting board look like one my parents have had ever since they got married. I love that thing! And they love it so much that they actually cut out a piece of the counter so they could have the cutting board built in. I do use wood cutting boards now, but don't have a big, gorgeous one like this.

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  4. I love a good wooden cutting board.

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  5. I LOVE my Boos board! I love meatloaf a bit more! :-))

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  6. We have a very old heirloom board that I use. I would love love love a Boos board!

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  7. I have several wood boards, including one that belonged to my mom. Some are only used for photos - I love the look of warm wood in food photos!

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  8. I just started hearing about Boos boards. Where have I been all these years? I use wooden boards for cutting and serving sometimes.

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  9. Great Looking Meatloaf. Meatloaf is one of my favorites. It is true comfort and makes great sandwiches the next day. xo Catherine

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    1. P.S.

      I no longer have my wood cutting board. It was lost during the flood we had a few years back and I have yet to get around and replace it! Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

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  10. I never had a wood cutting board, I remember my mom had one that lasted her lifetime.

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  11. I have two bamboo boards and one plastic board...I prefer my wood, but am worried about it being truly clean after cutting raw meat.

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  12. I need a new cutting board in my life. These Boos boards are no joke: very heavy-duty and made to last!

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  13. I SO need this cutting board in my life as well as a new knife set.... hmm adding this to Christmas wish list.

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  14. That cutting board looks rock solid!! I think I need one!

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  15. I used to have a wooden cutting board and would like to own another one. This one looks solid and beautiful!

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  16. I do use wooden cutting boards, but man are all dinged up and don't look nearly as nice as your's. Love how big and thick it is!

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  17. My husband is OBSESSED with cutting boards (I have to stop him from buying a new one every time we go to the cooking supply store) and he would go crazy over this one! (And your meatloaf looks great too!)

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  18. I love finding a good cutting board! I use them every day for one thing or another.

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  19. That Boos block is gorgeous. I am entering right now!

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  20. Yes, I have several boards but none like this one!

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  21. Any recipe by Lidia is a winner! That is such a lovely cutting board, I need a new one for my kitchen!

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  22. What a great idea. Gotta try this!!!

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  23. Looks like a fabulous cutting board! Thanks for sharing!

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  24. The meatloaf recipe looks delicious and just like one my parent's friends from Italy used to make! the block is a great giveaway and an heirloom piece! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  25. Yes! I have several wood cutting boards and a few of bamboo. I never use anything but those kinds. I love the Boos! That meatloaf though ... that looks incredible. I'd serve it to guests without thinking twice.

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  26. I have two small wood cutting boards and a large Corian cutting board. My husband's dream is to have a John Boos cutting board.

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  27. That's a gorgeous cutting board!

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  28. No, I've never used one before.

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  29. I use a wooden cutting board now but it's a cheap one that I picked up at Home Goods and it's starting to warp and crack - I could definitely use an upgrade! The Boos blocks are gorgeous!

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  30. I would LOVE that board! Yummy meatloaf!

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  31. This is an awesome recipe for a meatloaf! I haven't had it for a long time, but I am super excited about trying yours :)

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  32. I could always use a new cutting board, and that one looks NICE! Would love to win!

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  33. I gotta say that is one good lookin' meatloaf!

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  34. I use several different types of cutting boards, wood, plastic, and Epicurean. Just depends on what I'm doing. That Boos board is so beautiful, I'm not sure I could bring myself to cut on it! But I would. ;-)

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  35. I love meatloaf. Nice addition of the parmesan.

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  36. I always use wood cutting boards except for raw chicken
    ******************
    {in the contest I am Margot Core on the Rafflecopter}

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  37. No....but I do have a Boos kitchen cart that I use for rolling / pastry.

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  38. I do, but mine is quite old and fairly cut up.

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  39. I do but it belonged to my mother.

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  40. That's a seriously nice cutting board! Wood cutting boards are my favorite.

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  41. Huge meatloaf fans over here! Which is sort of hilarious, because I did not grow up eating meatloaf, like ever. I started making it when I got married and it's not a staple. This one looks delicious! I'll work it into the rotation soon! (I pinned it, too!)

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  42. Yes, I love wood cutting boards -- I use them the most often.

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  43. I have this fabulous wood cutting board that I just love! BTW, love Lidia!

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  44. I currently only have plastic cutting boards, but they're getting stained and sad looking! I'd love to win this!

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  45. I use a wooden cutting board about 50% of the time. The other type I use are the thin flexible plastic ones that are nice for transferring a bunch of cut up fruit to the jam pot (about their only good use!)

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  46. I use acrylic boards now leutheb(at)msn(dot)com

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  47. I use wood, corian, glass, and plastic.. depends on what I am doing.

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  48. I use three cutting boards...veggies, raw meats and cooked food but could always use a fabulous wood board! Love this meatloaf recipe, too. It is nothing like the awful one I grew up eating!!

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  49. I keep trying to find a good wood cutting board, but they always warp and split, so I have to keep going back to plastic.

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  50. This would be perfect for my husband. He uses them.

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  51. I have one wooden cutting board right now and one bamboo one. Neither are nearly as nice as a Boos Blocks board though!

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  52. Would love to have a "quality" wood cutting board!

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  53. This would complete my kitchen.

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  54. no I only have plastic boards right now
    spgoddess55(at)msn(dot)com

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  55. I have an old wooden cutting board, but it's falling apart..lol

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  56. We use a bamboo one but would love a Boos one!!

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  57. I do use wood cutting boards, for everything except raw meat.

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  58. Yes but not as good as this one.

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  59. Haven't used one I a long time. Really miss it.

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  60. I regularly use wooden boards, but its time I replaced the existing ones.

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  61. This board looks awesome. It would look great in my kitchen

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  62. That cutting board and meatloaf look awesome!

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  63. We have some plastic cutting boards and we bought a bamboo board for thanksgiving. Im not a big fan of bamboo though.

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  64. I prefer wood cutting boards but all I have at the moment are plastic :/

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  65. I love the cutting board. I have one that I also use to display cheese at a party. Thanks for the chance!

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  66. yes I think wood is much better than plastic.

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  67. i do have one, but its wayyy to big!

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  68. I alternate between wood and plastic. I would love a beautiful new wooden cutting board!

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  69. What an awesome looking wooden cutting board! I've been looking for something totally durable like that for ages! What a great giveaway!

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  70. That's a lovely board. Really - lovely!

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  71. No, I don't use wood cutting boards now, but I used to years ago!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

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  72. I'm not generally a meatloaf fan but Ms. Bastianich's recipe may change that.

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  73. No. This is a great accessory!

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  74. I have a wood cutting board but nothings as beautiful as a Boos Board!

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  75. It depends what I'm cutting:) I always use a cutting board to chop or mince garlic, onions, shallots and the like~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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  76. I have a small wood cutting board but I'd love a Boos. Thanks for the chance.

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  77. My mom does and I want one of my own!

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  78. Love wood cutting boards - they look o nice in the kitchen!!

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  79. I don't use wood cutting boards right now. I used to, but it got a big crack in it. Thank you for your generous giveaway offer!

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  80. It's been a years since I've used a wooden board -- the really solid ones are expensive, and I like being able to put plastic boards into the dishwasher. A Boos board would be a gorgeous addition to my kitchen, and worth hand-washing ;-)

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  81. I use my maple block for all cutting except for raw meats and onions. Being in AZ, I oil it twice per year and it still looks as beautiful as the day I bought it. It is one piece of equipment in my kitchen that gets used EVERY day.

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  82. I do use a wood cutting board (Nothing this nice!) I would love to win this one and pass my old one down to my daughter for her first apartment :)
    Mary Beth Elderton

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  83. Currently, I do not use a wood cutting board. It is something I've wanted to do, but they are very expensive.

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  84. I always use wood because it's kinder to my knives

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  85. I use plastic and they are small, so a large wood one would really be nice.

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  86. I use a wooden carving board, but otherwise I use plastic cutting mats.

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  87. Is it possible to have cutting board envy? After seeing this beautiful block I know the answer is, "Yes, yes it is."

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  88. I would LOVE to own that cutting board!

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  89. My main cutting board now is bamboo. And it is nowhere near as beautiful as this gorgeous Boos Block.

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  90. We have both wooden and plastic cutting boards.

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  91. Yes, I've found that my knives stay sharp longer.

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  92. I used to use only wood cutting boards, but got away from them. Now that I know better, I do want to return to them.

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  93. I love this idea and I can't wait to try this.

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  94. Your meatloaf looks fabulous. I'm so jealous of your cutting board and knives! Maybe someday....

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  95. Mmm I love meatloaf and yours sounds fab! That reminds me that I haven't made meatloaf in awhile!

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  96. Meatloaf is on my to learn how to make list so will bookmark this for later. Looks fab.

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  97. I've gotten to the point where I prefer to use day old bread and milk versus bread crumbs for meatloafs and balls. Great recipe!

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  98. Aw man. I have not had meatloaf in forever! this sounds so good!

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  99. I love every Lidia recipe I've tried—great post!

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  100. I like using bread in meatloaf, this is a delicious recipe that my family loves.

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  101. Well, that meatloaf sure looks delightfully good! Yum all over!

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  102. Looks wonderful...lovely cutting board.

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  103. I always put tomato in my meatballs and they become really soft so I totally understand how fluffy this meatloaf with the tomato sauce is! It looks very tasty!

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  104. This meatloaf looks amazing! I love the flavors you have here. And that cutting board looks so cool!

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  105. I love Lydia's recipes and this meatloaf looks amazing!!

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  106. great idea!..Thanks for sharing..Great post..Sawinery

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