Best French Meatloaf

Today I introduce to you my godmothers Best French Meatloaf  or as they say in France, Gateau de Viande. During the warm summer months the French like to eat outside, go to the countryside and have a picnic. Something that is far from a barbecue in the backyard. They tend to prepare food that can travel and eat cold, all packed up in glass containers and linens because plastic containers are rare in a household along with paper towels. No plastic forks, knives or even paper cups. We as Americans find this odd and it is unless you know why and that is simple, NO FREE TRADE.

The paper towels are very expensive and so is anything that is plastic. Most of the time you have to go looking for it because it is rare in Europe. The other reason is they get charged for their trash and how much they use so they are not as wasteful. Their environment is all about BEING GREEN all the time, including the water, electric and cars for efficiencies so they don’t waste.

Most French couples usually have a picnic basket with glasses, plates and most of all, something to carry the wine. They bring a linen table cloth with them and a blanket to rest. Water is always luke warm and ice is not carried in a cooler. They enjoy the fresh air, eating and talking with each other. No beer, no chips, no macaroni salad, but they have olives, salad, fruit, cheese and bread is always a part of a meal.

I have started this tradition with Jeffrey and now we have our picnic basket and blanket for our evenings by the water watching the boats pass by on the Potomac River. With such a busy work week, on Sunday we try to have a special day together and practice a little French tradition.

I hope you enjoy my godmothers best French meatloaf recipe as much as my family has for years!

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Best French Meatloaf - Gateau de Viande

Prep Time

45 mins

Cook Time

1 hr 30 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 15 mins

 

A summer meatloaf to serve with a fresh green salad.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: French

Keyword: meatloaf

Servings: 12

Calories: 181 kcal

Author: Lizzy Casca-Thomas

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of chicken meat
• 1/2 cup of bread crumbs
• 1/2 of heavy cream
• 1 egg white
• 4 scallions finely chopped
• 1 sweet potato that has been cooked and cooled into cubes
• 1/2 cup cup of peas
• 1 garlic clove
• 3 ounces of cooked ham cut into 3/8 cubes
• 1/2 cup shelled pistachio nuts
• 3 tbsp tarragon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Trim all the fat and tendons from the chicken and cut into cubes
2. Put in the food processor, remove all white stringy pieces
3. In a large mixing bowl, soak bread crumbs in cream.
4. Add the pureed chicken, egg white, scallions, sweet potato, peas, garlic, ham, pistachio nuts, tarragon, nutmeg and salt and pepper.
5. Mix until everything is combined
6. Lay out a piece of extra-wide strong foil about 18 inch long.
7. Spoon the chicken in and make a log about 12 inches long.
8. Bring the together the long side of the foil and fold over the securely enclosed
9. Transfer into a baking dish and bake for 1 1/2 hours
10. Let cool and slice the log

Nutrition Facts

Best French Meatloaf - Gateau de Viande

Amount Per Serving

Calories 181 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 9g 14%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Cholesterol 68mg 23%

Sodium 185mg 8%

Potassium 559mg 16%

Total Carbohydrates 8g 3%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 1g

Protein 16g 32%

Vitamin A 33.3%

Vitamin C 4.9%

Calcium 3.2%

Iron 8.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

My Favorite things for a Picnic