Our Family Serving Yours Since 1964

2 tbsps olive oil or butter

1 onion , chopped fine

1/4 lb cremini mushrooms , finely chopped

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

3 slices dense crumb white bread , crusts removed

1/4 c milk

1 lb ground beef , lean

1 lb ground pork ,lean

1 egg beaten

1 tbsp salt

1 1/2 tsp pepper

8 slices bacon

Grease a roasting pan that is about 12 inches long .

In a medium saute pan , heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for about 10 minutes or until light browned . Raise the heat to high , add the mushrooms and cook , stirring the mushrooms every couple of minutes until all the water they release evaporates , about 5 minutes . Add the thyme and remove from the heat.

In a large bowl, combine the bread and milk and work together to form a paste . Add the cooked mushroom mixture , ground meats , egg, salt and pepper and work together with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Form the mixture into a loaf about 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. Wrap the bacon slices crossswise around the loaf , tucking the ends of the slices under the loaf , then place the loaf in the prepared pan . Slide the pan into the oven , turn on the oven to 350 F , there is no need to preheat , and bake the meat loaf for about 1 1/4 hourrs or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 145 F . Do not cook it any longer or the meat will dry out .Transfer to a platter and let rest for 15 minutes before serving .