Andy Katz wrote:

> I was thinking about ways to serve meatloaf that would avoid
> cliche but still validate this American classic. I wasn't thinking of
> a true Wellington per se, but rather encasing the meatloaf in puff
> pastry with caramelized onions and maybe some blue cheese.
>
> Then I read the NY Times food section ($25 & Under), only to
> learn that 24 Prince is doing exactly that. Or was. I *think* I
> trailed at 24 a couple weeks ago, and they weren't doing any
> meatloafs, or other species of comfort foods the review alluded to
> (they don't have a chef right now, so there might not be the degree of
>
> control on the menu).
>
> Either way, is meatloaf en croute common, has it been
> appearing in comfort food venues?
>
> Andy Katz

I have seen many versions of a 'meat loaf' in pastry but can not find a
specific recipe for beef.

I have a number of recipes for pork pies in pastry or other dough that
is baked, usually in a spring form pan to facilitate removal, i have a
recipe for pork chops in puff pastry and an old English recipe for pork
pie in short pastry, sausage and bacon pie.

I have a venison loaf recipe that might be interesting in pastry.

And you might want to look at the 'vol au vent' recipes, these puff
pastry shells are often filled with all manner of combinations of meats,
veggies and sauces.

Scallops and mushrooms in pastry is very nice and a salmon loaf in
pastry is equally good.

I have an old recipe me mum used to make which entails scooping out the
insides of a whole loaf bread nd making a tuna salad with cooked
potatoes, peas, carrots, eggs, mayo & various seasonings and stuffed
into the hollowed out loaf of bread, chilled and sliced and served,
called a "stuffed picnic loaf".

In most of these recipes the pork is cooked before it is wrapped in
pastry to render out as much fat as possible. then the piece is
assembled and baked.

Using a very lean beef and phyllo dough might be a way to go.

Let me know if you are interested in any of the pork pie recipes, which,
i think could be adapted to beef.
---
JL