Hearty "Falscher Hase" (Mock Rabbit) with Fine Onion Gravy

Instructions

1. 11

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If using day-old bread, soak it in a little milk and then squeeze out any excess liquid. Otherwise, crumble it finely.

2. 22

   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, soaked or crumbled bread, egg, mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika powder. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined, but be careful not to overmix.

3. 33

   Form the meat mixture into an oval-shaped loaf, resembling a rabbit, and place it in an oven-safe baking dish.

4. 44

   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully sear the meatloaf on all sides until browned. This helps to seal in the juices and adds flavor.

5. 55

   Transfer the seared meatloaf to the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until cooked through and a meat thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F (71°C).

6. 66

   While the meatloaf is baking, prepare the onion gravy. In the same skillet (or a clean one), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté them for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized.

7. 77

   Sprinkle the flour over the caramelized onions and stir for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.

8. 88

   Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the gravy to a simmer and let it thicken slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and a pinch of sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

9. 99

   Once the meatloaf is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute.

10. 1010

    Slice the "Falscher Hase" and serve it with the warm onion gravy. Enjoy!