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In the year of liver-cheese, that would be 1776, which happened to also be a leap year, and the signing of the American Declaration of Independence; Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria, invented the loaf of meat called Leberkäse.

Leberkäse translated means “liver- cheese”. When I Google translate the word Leberkäse in addition it means meatloaf. Which it is – a loaf of meat. Traditionally, it is made with onions, bacon, corned beef and pork, but no cheese and no liver. As I research it, there are many variations of Leberkäse.  According to current Bavarian food disclosure laws, only products called “Bavarian Leberkäse” are allowed no liver content, otherwise, all other variations must now contain at least 4% liver.

Since I do not live in Bavaria, which is a shame b/c it is completely beautiful, and since I don’t wear Lederhosen and the Little Woman doesn’t wear a dirndl, which is too bad b/c I never met a dirndl I didn’t like, this is how I get ready for Oktoberfest which should be starting at the end of this month (September 20, 2014 to October 5, 2014).

I make a Redneck Leberkäse for working-class people like me who sit on a tractor all day in a rural area in Southern America. I serve this dish with Southern mashed potatoes instead of potato salad and a layer of curry catsup (mixed with turmeric) and cover it in buttered mushrooms.

Leberkäse

• 2 spring onions (scallions)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 6 stalks of fresh oregano
• ½ lb. ground pork
• ½ lb. ground beef
• ¼ cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dash of Worcestershire

Directions: In a food processor add onions and garlic and finely chop.

Add the leaves of the oregano and all other ingredients and grind the meat mixture in a food processor until it begins to look like a Pâté.

Form in a covered dish and bake in a 350° oven for 45 minutes. Remove and drain the fat for the gravy.  Add the fat from the meatloaf to the brown gravy.  Cover the top of the meatloaf with the curry ketchup and bake another 15 minutes. 

Curry Ketchup
2 TBSP ketchup
2 tsp of red curry paste or 1 tsp turmeric
Directions: Mix together in the bowl.

Southern Mashed Potatoes

• 2 large baking potatoes, skinned and cubed
• 2 TBSP butter
• 2 TBSP whipping cream
• Sea salt to taste

Directions: Boil potatoes until soft, drain, return potatoes to pan, add the rest of the ingredient and mash the potatoes using a potatoes masher.

Brown Gravy

• Mix from a pack as instructed.

As of 5/16/21