Neapolitan Meat Loaf with Pine Nuts and Raisins

• Recipe by Anna Imparato

Crusty on the outside and moist and cheesy on the inside, Anna Imparato’s meat loaf is comfort food at its most luxe. The mixture of beef chuck and pork enriches the savory flavor. For an even more assertive crust, don’t toast the pine nuts ahead of time, but use them to coat the loaf along with the raisins before baking.

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup pine nuts
2. 1/4 cup golden raisins
3. 1/2 cup hot water
4. 4 slices of white sandwich bread, crusts removed and bread torn into pieces
5. 1/4 cup milk
6. 1 large egg, lightly beaten
7. 1/2 pound ground beef chuck
8. 1/2 pound ground pork
9. 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
11. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
12. 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated aged provolone cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Spread the pine nuts in a pie plate and toast in the oven until golden, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
2. In a small bowl, soak the raisins in the hot water until plump, 10 minutes. Drain.
3. In a large bowl, soak the bread in the milk until soft, 10 minutes. Using a fork, mash the bread thoroughly, then beat in the egg until fluffy. Add the ground meats to the bowl along with the raisins, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of the pine nuts, the 2 tablespoons of oil and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Blend until just incorporated.
4. Oil a large rimmed baking sheet. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking sheet and form it into a 4-by-8-inch loaf. Drizzle the meat loaf with olive oil. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons each of the pine nuts and the provolone cheese, pressing to help them adhere.
5. Bake the meat loaf in the upper third of the oven for about 25 minutes, until browned on top and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165°. Remove from the oven and let stand for about 10 minutes. Cut into thick slices and serve.

Make Ahead

The uncooked meat loaf can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.