Ingredients

Meat: 1.5 – 2 lbs Ground Beef (80/20 or 90/10 for flavor/moisture).

Binder: 1-2 Eggs, 3/4 – 1 cup Breadcrumbs (Panko or Italian) or Quick Oats.

Aromatics: 1 medium Onion (chopped/grated), 2-3 cloves Garlic (minced).

Liquid: 1/2 cup Milk.

Seasonings: Salt, Black Pepper, Italian Seasoning/Thyme, Parsley (fresh/dried).

Flavor Enhancers: 1-2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce, Paprika (optional). 

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Step 2: Saute the mushrooms in butter until the juices run, then season with salt and pepper and nutmeg. Reserve.

Step 3: Remove the sinews from the livers and slice. In a large bowl combine all the ground meats, sausage, livers, onion, garlic, and juniper berries.

Step 4: Season with salt and pepper. Beat the eggs and add to the mixture together with the mushrooms. Mix with your hands thoroughly.

Step 5: Oil a roasting pan and place all the mixture in it, molding it into an oval shape. Adorn with the bacon slices, criss-crossed, tucking the ends under the meat. Strew some bay leaves and branches of rosemary on the top and sides.

Step 6: Cook in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then lower the heat to 350 degrees and cook for 1 1/2 hours.

Step 7: When cooked, there will be lots of lovely juices in the bottom of the pan. Save them to flavor soup, stocks, or eggs. Remove the loaf and place on a serving dish. Serve hot or cold with a tomato sauce.

Step 8: For children, you might like to turn it into a hedgehog by pressing almonds into the meat to create prickles and placing 3 olives to form eyes and a nose. This should be done before the meat goes into the oven. Yield: 10 to 12 servings