Open-Faced Meat Loaf Sandwiches

How to Make

• Step 1: Prepare meatloaf:

• Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often for 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings in the skillet.

• Step 3: Add onions and the next 2 ingredients to the hot drippings, and saute for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms; saute 4 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, and let cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes).

• Step 4: Add ground chuck, next 5 ingredients, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and cooked bacon to the onion mixture in the bowl, and combine the mixture, using hands.

• Step 5: Stir together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and remaining 1/2 cup ketchup in a separate bowl.

• Step 6: Transfer the meat mixture to a lightly greased 9x5 inch loafpan. Brush the top with the ketchup mixture.

• Step 7: Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center registers 155 degrees. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour, reserving 1 cup drippings.

• TO PREPARE GRAVY

• Step 8: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Slowly whisk in broth and meatloaf drippings.

• Step 9: Reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer; whisking constantly for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1/.4 teaspoon lemon juice. Remove from heat.

• FOR THE SANDWICH

• Step 10: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the Texas Toast slices on a baking sheet, and bake 8 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove from the oven.

• Step 11: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Gently break 4 eggs into the skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness. Remove from skillet, and cover with foil. Repeat procedure with the remaining 4 eggs.

• Step 12: Cut the meatloaf into 8 slices. Sprinkle tomato slices with the desired amount of salt. Spread 1 side of each toast slice with 1 1/2 teaspoon mayonnaise. Top each toast slice, mayonnaise sides up, with 1 tomato slice and 1 meatloaf slice. Gently place 1 cooked egg on each meatloaf slice.

• Step 13: Serve with gravy; sprinkle each serving with chopped fresh parsley and freshly ground pepper.