Beef, Potato and Spinach Meatloaf

A particularly tasty loaf which can be eaten as a hot meal, it teams well with potatoes and salad or vegetables, although the greens are included in the mixture for the loaf. Any leftover meatloaf makes an ideal filling for school or work lunchboxes or sandwiches. Served cold, it is a great picnic dish. In a log tin the loaf will have a little more fat content than if you make this in a free-form shape, as the fat will come away onto the tray as it cooks. Recipe serves 4.

Ingredients:

1 slice white or brown bread, broken into small pieces
2 tablespoons water
8 ounces (250 g) potato, peeled
1 small onion
8 ounce (250 g) packet frozen spinach
12 ounces (375 g) lean ground beef (mince)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/3 teaspoon dried thyme
Topping:
2 tablespoons ketchup (tomato sauce)
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon hot mustard

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to moderate 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Place the bread and water into a large bowl and stir. Grate the potato over the top and grate the onion.
2. Cook the spinach in a saucepan for a couple of minutes or until soft and separated and add to the bowl. Leave to cool completely.
3. Mix in the beef with seasonings and herbs and stir everything together very well.
4. For a free-form loaf grease the base of a shallow casserole or oven tray. Put the beef into the center and form it into an oblong loaf. You can also place the meatloaf into a greased log or bread tin with a 1 pound (500 g) capacity if you prefer a rectangular shape.
5. Bake for 25 minutes for a free-form loaf or for 30 minutes in a cake tin.
6. After cooking, mix all the topping ingredients and brush them over the loaf with a pastry brush. Return meatloaf to the oven and bake for 5 minutes, then brush again and continue cooking for a further 10 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.