Cajun Country Meat Loaf

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground pork

1/2 pound hot sausage

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 carrot, shredded

1 red pepper, chopped

1 cup cooked rice

2 eggs

1/2 cup catsup

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoons mustard seeds

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Dash Tabasco sauce

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 strips bacon

1/2 cup catsup combined with 1/4 cup beef stock

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.  In a large bowl combine the beef, pork, sausage, onion, garlic, carrot, red pepper, rice, eggs, catsup, mustard, horseradish, bread crumbs, chili powder, paprika, mustard seeds, cumin, fennel, cayenne, Tabasco and salt and pepper.  Shape the mixture into a loaf and place into the prepared pan.  Top with the bacon strips and bake for 30 minutes.  Pour the catsup and beef stock mixture over the meat and continue baking 30 to 40 minutes longer.  Remove from oven and let cool in the pan.  Freeze.

To serve: Thaw meatloaf. Heat in 375 degree oven until hot.  

Taken from: Nathalie Dupree Cooks Great Meals for Busy Days by Nathalie Dupree (Random House Publishing 1994).