All-American Meatloaf Burgers

Ingredients:

for the burgers:
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground veal
1 egg
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs*
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
salt
freshly ground black pepper

for the glaze:
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
salt
pepper

Directions:
Whisk together the glaze ingredients, set aside. Using a gentle hand, combine all of the burger ingredients. Form into 4 patties. Prep your grill. Grill one side of the burger, flip and brush with glaze. Continue to cook, adding more glaze as wanted/needed. I suggest serving it with thinly sliced red onion.


*I made these by pulsing some leftover baguette in my Vita Mix.

My thoughts:

Okay, meatloaf is an unappealing word. It really is. Too bad meatloaf is so tasty. For this burger I used the classic meatloaf mixture of veal, beef and pork to make what I think are some of the most flavorful, meaty yet light burgers yet. They taste like the best meatloaf you've ever had but smoky and juicier. Everyone who had them raved over them and they were no more difficult to make than a regular burger. And, yes, I did serve them with grilled tater tots. I can't wait to make them again!