Comfort food known as meat loaf has as many recipes for it as there are opinions on what type of meat is the best ingredient. Some would argue that the filler makes the difference. Some would even say that there are meat loaf connoisseurs in the same way that there are wine connoisseurs. There are restaurants or diners that are locally if not regionally known for their meat loaf.

Jesse Brewer recalls trying to explain why his family's meat loaf recipe was so much better than the cafeteria version. His girlfriend Jill had a family secret recipe that she refused to share with him. She thought the spices made the biggest difference in flavor. He thought it was the type of filler and proportion of filler that made the difference. The servers at the cafeteria told them that the cooks would not share any information on the ingredients of their version, which was just fine with Jesse and Jill.

Jill told Jesse that her grandmother used toasted bread crumbs and herb butter as filling for the meat loaf. The bread was home baked by her grandmother and that is what made the meat loaf a comfort food in her family. She told him of various cooking experiments that Jill had tried, using commercially available bread crumbs, crackers, and oat meal. Although they changed the texture and consistency of the meat loaf, the flavor was only affected by the spices, she said. Jesse thought that the texture and density made all the difference.

Yahoo! News Search Results for comfort foods
Yahoo! News Search Results for comfort foods

Rocco DiSpirito rehabs fatty comfort foods (Lifewise on Canoe)
Rocco DiSpirito used all of his culinary tricks to slash calories from the 150 fatty foods Americans love in his new book, "NOW eat THIS!"
Smithfield Foods sees profit in 3Q, tops forecasts (AP via Yahoo! News)
Smithfield Foods Inc., the nation's largest hog producer and pork processor, reported a profit on Thursday for its third quarter after more than a year of losses.
Ground beef an all-star of comfort foods (Honolulu Advertiser)
There are so many delicious meals to make with ground beef. No doubt you have a favorite spaghetti sauce or chili recipes that use ground beef. Meatloaf and meatballs are the kind of comfort food that's perfect for a Sunday Night Supper. And what about a delicious, hearty combination with fresh Island eggs and locally grown greens for a Sunday brunch?
Smithfield Foods sees profit in 3Q, tops forecasts (Bay News 9 Tampa Bay)
Smithfield Foods returns to 3rd-qtr sales rise overseas, beats Wall Street forecasts
Rosebud goes back to Italian roots (The Beacon News)
The Rosebud eatery in downtown Naperville has returned to its Italian roots. The restaurant, which has been in Naperville since 1993, revamped from Rosebud Burgers and Comfort Foods to Rosebud Italian Specialties and Pizzeria, said general manager Jay DeMarco.
WATCH: More of Rocco's Low-Cal Meal Makeovers (ABC News)
Chef Rocco DiSpirito whips up some comfort foods under 350 calories. Rocco DiSpirito - United States - Business - Hospitality - Food Service
Rosebud returns to its Italian roots (The Courier News)
The Rosebud eatery in downtown Naperville has returned to its Italian roots.The restaurant, which has been in Naperville since 1993, revamped from Rosebud Burgers and Comfort Foods to Rosebud Italian Specialties and Pizzeria, said general manager Jay DeMarco. The new menu is full of Italian favorites and specialties, from the appetizers down through the entrees.
Smallest Finger Foods (Fox News)
New York-based caterer sparks national trend by miniaturizing comfort food, proving size may not matter after all
Falafel Republic Introduces First-Ever Fresh Falafel (Business Wire via Yahoo...
NEEDHAM, Mass.----As America?s fascination with authentic ethnic foods continues to grow, Falafel Republic proudly introduces fresh, fully-cooked falafel in two savory flavors: Traditional and Roasted Garlic.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST-SELLERS (AP via Yahoo! News)
1. "House Rules: A Novel" by Jodi Picoult (Atria)