Poll: Do you squish your meatloaf ingredients with your (clean) hands?

[Jean in Newcastle]

I was just teaching dd8 to make meatloaf. We both agree that the best part is using your hands to mix all the ingredients together. The way it squishes through your fingers is cool!

 

So then I wondered - am I alone in this method of meatloaf mixing? I believe it was passed on down to me from my mother. . .

[LuvToRead]

I usually start off with a spoon, but eventually resort to using my hands.

[Orthodox6]

Where is the poll, so that I can tick "Other" ?

 

I can't abide the horrible feel of raw meat. I never have made a meatloaf in my life ! (nor served one to the family)

 

All-butter shortbread -- now that cries out for "hands-on" -- or, better, "hands-in" -- preparation ! :)

 

P.S. Mine is not an "anti-meat rant". I serve meat to those in the family who want it; I just avoid handling the stuff as much as is possible.

 

P.S. #2. Now the poll is showing up.

 

Also, if the alternative is to put the meat in a food processor, I do not recommend that at all. I run ground meat through a food processor only if I am making kibbeh, or some other dish that uses the meat in "goo form". Meat loaf needs those individual "bits" for proper structure. I think that hands are required.

Edited May 21, 2010 by Orthodox6

[melissel]

Yep, always. It's just easier!

[JudoMom]

I usually start off with a spoon, but eventually resort to using my hands.

 

:iagree:

 

I find it disgusting, though.

[LauraGB]

Hands are the best cooking utensil around! I don't make it anymore, but when I did make meatloaf, it was hands all the way, baby.

[MyThreeSons]

Grandma and Mom did it that way, and so do I. It's really difficult to get my hands clean, afterwards, though.

[Perry]

This is why I don't make meatloaf. Or eat it. :ack2:

 

My dh makes it, but I can't watch. So I don't know how he does it.

[secular_mom]

I HATE it, it's disgusting and it's so darn cold that it makes my hands ache. I chose 'other', because I only do it by hand now if the mixing bowl/paddle is dirty.

[teachermom2834]

I used to. Now I use my stand mixer. Much better.

[Carol in Cal.]

Then I lick my fingers. Raw hamburger meat is so good, especially after it's spiced up.

Edited May 21, 2010 by Carol in Cal.

[fairfarmhand]

yes. and it is revolting.

[ahousefullofjs]

I used to. Now I use my stand mixer. Much better.

Ooohhh!! Thank you for this. It never occured to me to use my mixer. I just made meatballs the other day and like the pp mentioned, it's cold and it really hurts my hands.

[Mejane]

Yes, although Ina says one shouldn't because it tends to overwork the meat. :001_smile:

[Heidi @ Mt Hope]

If I made meatloaf I would probably use my hands, but I've never made it!!

[zookeeperof3]

I use plastic food safe gloves because I have dermatitis on my hands and the more I wash them the more my skin peels off. I do miss mixing things by feel, it's hard to feel with gloves on.

Kim

[MamaT]

I use my hands, and then wash them in VERY hot water.

[Tap]

I do, but with latex gloves on. I don't like having to scrape the old meat out from under my fingernails :ack2: EEEEWWWWW

 

 

If I don't have the luxury of gloves, I try to just use the palm of my hands.

[Sahamamama]

It's hard to do if the ground beef (or turkey) isn't completely thawed out. Makes your hands FREEZE while mixing. Ask me how I know.....

[ThatCyndiGirl]

I wear rubber gloves that I have just thoroughly washed. I mix it up then soap up those rubber gloves all over again.

 

Never thought of using the stand mixer! I think I will do that instead!

 

~Cyndi (who is now swearing to use the stand mixer for gross and yucky things!)

[Kathleen in VA]

I use my Kitchen Aid mixer.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Thanks for the tip. It never occurred to me to use my stand mixer. One more way to amortize that big purchase:). While touching the meat doesn't bother me that much (I usually have to touch it to make burgers or form the meatloaf), but I can't stand the fact that, no matter how much I wash my hands afterward, I am never convinced they are clean.

[runamuk]

I've always used my hands. I wash in hot water with a bit of Dawn and use a nail brush (which goes through the dishwasher).

[coop]

You betcha:) I have to take frequent breaks if the meat is really cold to put my hands under some warm water...ahhhhh.

[May]

Gosh, never thought of using my gloves:001_smile: I just wash my hand thoroughly afterwards.

[Karen in CO]

Ick - I don't touch raw meat, but my husband starts with a wooden rice spoon then changes to gloves if the meat isn't cooperating. He uses disposable gloves for this because I won't let him use his dish washing gloves for food prep.

[MomOfOneFunOne]

Veg here but I voted yes b/c if I did make it, I would use my hands. I use them for bread making and other things like that that I can't think of just now.

 

It would assume, of course, that I could stand to stick my hands into a bowl of raw meat . . . being veg and all.

[ncmomo3]

I either use my Kitchen Aid mixer or I sometimes put all ingredients in a gallon zip-lock, squish, form and slide it out of the bad into a pan. no mess.

[mom2jjka]

I do, but I wear food service gloves. I can't handle touching raw meat.

 

(I also wear them to cut up chicken, which icks me out even worse than ground beef.)

[HRAAB]

I use a spoon or mixer. I'm not much of a meat eater, and squishy meat in my hands would about do me in.

[JFSinIL]

Since getting my KitchenAid stand mixer I am happy to report that I no longer have to squish raw meat, eggs, and other gooey items by hand. Yeah!

[Caitilin]

:iagree::iagree:

I use a spoon or mixer. I'm not much of a meat eater, and squishy meat in my hands would about do me in.

:iagree::iagree:

[rwjx2khsmj]

I chose yes but I hate doing it and I don't eat meatloaf. BLECK!!! My family, however, loves meatloaf.

[Daisy]

I voted no. I go to my local butcher and say, "Can I please have 2 lbs of your meatloaf. Thanks." They make awesome meatloaf mix from ground beef and pork they grind in-house. We don't eat meatloaf but maybe 4x a year though.

[KrissiK]

I love meatloaf (Betty Crocker Cookbook recipe) and so does my family and I love mixing it with my hands. It's such a cool feeling, especially when you get the egg in there. Lots of fun!:D

[TrixieB]

Yes. Mixing meatloaf with my hands was one of my childhood dinner-making chores. I detested it. I no longer make or eat meatloaf.

 

One of my kids loves meatloaf. She gets Grandma to make it for her, 'cause Mom refuses!

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

Yep, always. It's just easier!

:iagree::D

[Pink Fairy]

Yes, with gloves on. I don't like getting raw meat under my nails.

[susankenny]

yes. always.

[Denisemomof4]

and it's VERY uncomfortable when the beef is real cold.

[MorganClassicalPrep]

I'm mildly OCD about my hands.... can't STAND to have anything on them. Even lotion gives me the creepies... So that's a great big no. lol. I even have to use forks or other utensils to switch steaks and chicken from the package to the pan/grill.

[Liz CA]

Hands are the best cooking utensil around! I don't make it anymore, but when I did make meatloaf, it was hands all the way, baby.

 

One has to feel the meat squish through one's fingers to properly mix all the seasonings, bread crumbs and the egg - that is how I was taught anyway. :)

[EthiopianFood]

Other--vegetarian. :)

[asta]

I find meatloaf to be sensory hell.

 

I discovered that my potato masher (the kind that looks like squiggles) does a great job.

 

 

a

[ScoutTN]

Zombie thread!