COUNTRY MEAT LOAF

Ingredients.....500gm of minced lean beef, 500gm of minced pork, 1 tsp of cracked black pepper, 2 tbs of Worcestershire sauce, 4 tbs of Sriracha/ sweet chilli sauce, 6 slices of rindless bacon rashers, 2 tbs of butter/ marg, 1 small onion finely chopped, 2 tbs of minced garlic, 2 eggs lightly beaten, 2 celery sticks finely chopped, 2 tbs of freshly snipped basil, fresh basil sprigs for garnish, 1 tsp of thyme, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 3 tbs of chopped parsley. If you don't have access to fresh herbs you can use the dried form. Preheat your oven to 180 deg C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Melt the butter/ marg in a small frying pan. Cook the onion, minced garlic and celery over a low heat until the onion and celery have softened. Then remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl combine the the onion, garlic and celery with all the other ingredients except the bacon. Mix together until well combined. Use your hands to shape the mixture into an oval loaf. Carefully transfer to the roasting pan. Lay the bacon slices across the meat loaf. Bake for 75 minutes, if starting to brown too much, place a sheet of baking paper loosely over top. Remove the loaf to a serving platter and garnish with basil to serve. This dish makes a delicious alternative to a joint of meat.