Ann Romney's Meatloaf Cakes

Ronald Reagan had his jelly beans, Poppy Bush had his pork rinds and Mitt Romney has his — meatloaf cakes?

“Meatloaf cakes,” Mr. Romney affirmed from the back of his charter plane as it idled on the tarmac in Ohio in March 2012, explaining to the traveling press corps the special birthday meal his wife prepares for him every year.

The traditional birthday meal, Mr. and Mrs. Romney added, includes mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and carrots.

Ingredients

FOR THE MEATLOAF CAKES:

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 4 slices bread, crumbled into small pieces, or 3/4 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt

FOR THE SAUCE:

• ¼ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice.

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

    555 calories; 35 grams fat; 13 grams saturated fat; 2 grams trans fat; 15 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 25 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 17 grams sugars; 32 grams protein; 167 milligrams cholesterol; 1488 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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6 small meatloaf cakes (3 to 6 servings).

Preparation

1. For the meatloaf cakes: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, crumbled bread or bread crumbs, egg, onion, lemon juice and seasoned salt. Mix lightly but thoroughly and shape into six small loaves. Space evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes; meanwhile, prepare the sauce.
2. For the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, cloves and allspice. When the meatloaf cakes have baked for 15 minutes, brush each loaf with sauce and return to the oven. Continue to bake until the meatloaf cakes are 165 degrees in the center when tested with an instant-read thermometer, about 20 more minutes. If desired, serve with scalloped potatoes and steamed vegetables. Pass additional sauce separately.

45 minutes