Tender seasoned meat inside, crisp golden bacon outside, and a sweet-savoury glaze to finish — a centrepiece for a family meal that everyone will ask for again.
Ingredients
800 g ground beef or a beef-and-pork mix; 200 g thin bacon slices; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 large egg; 80 g breadcrumbs; 100 ml milk; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1 tsp mustard; 1 tsp sweet paprika; salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. For the glaze: 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional), 1 tsp mustard.
Method
Mix the meat gently with onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, ketchup, mustard, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper — do not overwork it. Shape into a firm loaf on a lined tray. Cover completely with slightly overlapping bacon slices, tucking the ends underneath. Bake at 180°C for 50–65 minutes. Stir the glaze together, brush it over the bacon for the last 15–20 minutes, and cook until caramelised and the centre reaches at least 71°C. Rest 10–15 minutes, then slice thick and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Tips
Thin bacon wraps and crisps best; baking on a rack lets excess fat drain; grated cheese inside is a delicious variation — melted cheese spills from the centre when sliced.
