Seasoning Mix:

2 whole Bay leaves (optional)
1 tbsp. salt
1 tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 tbsp. butter or cooking spray
3/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp. Worcestershire
1/2 cup evaporated milk (I use skim milk)
1/2 cup catsup
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (or ground turkey)
1/2 lb. ground pork
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup fine bread crumbs

Melt butter over medium heat or spray pan with cooking spray. Add onions, celery, peppers, & green onions, garlic, tabasco, worcestershire and "seasoning mix". Sauté until mixture starts excessively sticking to pan, about 6 minutes. Stir in milk and catsup. Continue cooking 2 minutes, stirring. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Place meat in bowl. Add eggs, vegetable mixture (REMOVE THE BAY LEAVES AT THIS TIME!) and the bread crumbs. Thoroughly mix by hand. Pack meatloaf into an ungreased bread pan.

Bake at 350°F uncovered for 25 minutes, then 400°F for 35 minutes. Serve plain or top with catsup before baking.

"My family loves this. Definitely not your ordinary meatloaf!"