how would you explain meatloaf?

On NYE, I was at the pub Adam works at and these two girls heard my accent. They came over to me and started asking me all sorts of questions.

The one I did the worst answering was "What is meatloaf?"

It hadn't occured to me that people here don't do it. I said it was mince mixed with spices and something like breadcrumbs and then baked. They were repulsed. I assured them it was really good.

(The end result of this was that when I did my Tesco order today, I got all the stuff I'll need to make my meatloaf recipe, and I can't wait to get stuff tomorrow so I can whip one up. Oooh and then I'll get to have cold meatloaf sandwiches on Friday.... I'm almost drooling now.)

So how would you explain it?

There are regional British variations on meatloaf, such as haslet here in Lincolnshire, which is ground pressed sausagemeat cooked with onions and sage, usually then sliced for sandwiches.  I think they may have playing dumb, myself.  It's a baked LOAF of MEAT.  What's not to get?  My British born-and-raised hubby adores meatloaf.  He's just sorry he doesn't get it more often.  Oh, if you get a chance, try haslet - yum!  I have strange childhood memories of meatloaf sandwiches in my school lunch where the ketchup had soaked into the bread and rendered the entire sandwich into a 1 1/2 " slab of meatloaf with 1mm bread wafer-thin adherences:)

How about comparing it to meat balls? Only bigger.

On NYE, I was at the pub Adam works at and these two girls heard my accent. They came over to me and started asking me all sorts of questions.

The one I did the worst answering was "What is meatloaf?"

It hadn't occured to me that people here don't do it. I said it was mince mixed with spices and something like breadcrumbs and then baked. They were repulsed. I assured them it was really good.

(The end result of this was that when I did my Tesco order today, I got all the stuff I'll need to make my meatloaf recipe, and I can't wait to get stuff tomorrow so I can whip one up. Oooh and then I'll get to have cold meatloaf sandwiches on Friday.... I'm almost drooling now.)

So how would you explain it?

My other half LOVES it - I have to make it at least once a fortnight. And it's my youngest favourite meal. And I gave the recipe to a co-worker who also loved it. I imagine most brits would love it.

I think they may have playing dumb, myself. 

As for these girls, dumb yes. Playing, no.

I don't know why I didn't think of the meatball comparison.

I'm going to have Adam's parents try some when they come over Thursday for cards. Adam won't have any because he's semi-veggie.

It's one of my favorite foods.

I have an absolutely killer meatloaf recipe that involves, among many other things, fresh mozarella being mixed in - I've served it at dinner parties and it always goes down really well.

I guess I didn't realise it's strictly an American thing because dh has always known what it is somehow....

My friend's wife is English but spent most of her childhood in Canada. She said she used to get jealous of her Canadian friends because their parents made meatloaf and she was intrigued by it, because her mother didnt know how to make it 
I agree with Terri's meatball analogy.
Its also good to add an egg to the mince mixture to help seal it in with the bread crumbs. I wish we could get 4C over here, I find that the Goldenfry ones taste of nothing. 4C really adds flavor to the meat.

My recipe involves oats instead of breadcrumbs, celery, onion, and mushroom, and a variety of spices and seasonings. (Mince and egg being givens.)

I've seen haslet here in Scotland, too.

I think the 'meatballs but bigger' explanation is pretty good.

However, although i will eat meatballs, I wouldn't touch meatloaf with a bargepole!   Not sure why that is...       

I would say.....

It's meat....and a loaf.... meat loaf!

sorry, I suppose you have to say that out loud for it to be funny (think Seinfeld) but it is making me laugh.

My mum used to make meatloaf all the time. I am not sure if it was quite the same as the US version but it's not like it's unheard of here.

My mum used to make meatloaf all the time.

and that explains why you are now a vegetarian!

My mom made the nastiest freakin' meatloaf on earth! A pile of ground beef with Lipton Onion Soup Mix mixed in, in a loaf pan coated with a mixture of ketchup and brown sugar. 

and that explains why you are now a vegetarian!

That and school dinners!

My mom made the nastiest freakin' meatloaf on earth! A pile of ground beef with Lipton Onion Soup Mix mixed in, in a loaf pan coated with a mixture of ketchup and brown sugar. 

>>BOAK!!<<