Maple Drive Meatloaf

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but the list of ingredients looked good to me -- quite different from the meatloaf I usually make. It comes from the Maple Drive restaurant in Los Angeles.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons butter
• 3⁄4 cup  finely chopped onion
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped scallion (can omit scallions and use 1 1/2 cups onion if it is a Vidalia or sweet onion)
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped carrot
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped celery
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped green bell pepper
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped red bell pepper
• 2  teaspoons  minced garlic
• 3  eggs, well beaten
• 1⁄2 cup ketchup
• 1⁄2 cup half-and-half
• 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•  salt and pepper, to taste
• 2  lbs lean ground beef
• 12  ounces ground sausage
• 3⁄4 cup  fine  fresh breadcrumb, toasted

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a heavy skillet, then add the onion, scallions, carrots, celery and bell peppers. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Then add garlic and cook until the moisture from the vegetables has evaporated, about 5 minutes more. Set aside to cool; then cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, ketchup, half-and-half, cumin, nutmeg, cayenne, salt and pepper. Add the ground beef, sausage and bread crumbs. Then add the chilled vegetables and mix thoroughly with your hands, kneading for 5 minutes.
3. Form the mixture into a loaf, approximately 12 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 2 1/2 inches high, on a baking sheet. Bake until cooked through (or 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer), about 1 hour. Let rest 20 minutes before slicing.
4. Note: The passive work time also includes the 1 hour chilling time for the vegetables. The vegetables may be prepared ahead of time, in the morning or night before, chilled, and used later in order to save time when actually making the meatloaf.