I wanted a lighter sort of meat loaf, so I mixed in some ground pork with the beef, soaked some bread in apple sauce, mixed in plenty of chopped apples and onions, and the result was superb. We ate it with some roasted new potatoes and fresh green beans. A great meal.

Apple-Topped Meat Loaf

• 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 medium apples, chopped
• 4 slices whole wheat bread, soaked in 1/2 cup apple sauce and 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 Tbs. salt
• freshly ground pepper

This makes a huge meat loaf. Our family of six will eat it tomorrow as leftovers. Mix everything together, top with sliced apple rings, and bake at 375 degrees for about an hour, or until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. During the last 10 minutes, if you like, you can spread on a mixture of 1/3 cup ketchup, 1 Tbs. brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. dry mustard.

Roasted new potatoes, lightly coated in olive oil, sprinkled with kosher salt and rosemary. Bake in the oven with the meat loaf, but they only take about 45 minutes.