Meat Loaf

Preheat the oven to 325 deg F. Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly. Mix the ketchup & brown sugar in a separate bowl. In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup mixture evenly on top. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 deg F and the meat loaf is cooked through. A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf will keep the top from cracking.