Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf



3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 28-oz. can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. smoked paprika or chili powder
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeņo peppers, shredded (2 oz.) (optional)

1. In large bowl combine eggs, 1/2 cup of the crushed tomatoes and crushed tortilla chips. Stir in onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, 1/2 tsp. each salt and black pepper. Add beef, pork, and corn; mix well. Shape mixture into a round loaf or oblong loaf to fit the slow cooker.
2. Crisscross three 18-inch strips of foil, folded to double thickness. (see Slow Easy, below). Place meat loaf in center of strips. Bring up foil strips to lift and transfer meat and foil to a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. (If needed, push meat away from side of slow cooker to avoid burning).
3. Cover, cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of loaf reads 160 degrees F.
4. Using foil strips, carefully lift meat loaf from cooker and place on cutting board. Pull foil from meat; discard. Scrape off any drippings from meat and discard. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 10 minutes.
5. Oven Variation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place shaped loaf in shallow baking pan. Bake for 1-1/4 hours or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of loaf reads 160 degrees F. Sprinkle with cheese.
Slow Easy: To place meat loaf in and lift out of a slow cooker while keeping it in tact, make a foil sling. Tear off three 18-inch strips of foil folded to double thickness. Crisscross the strips in a spoke-like fashion. Place the loaf in the center of the spokes. Lift the ends of the foil strips to transfer the loaf to the cooker, leaving the foil in place during cooking. Use the foil again to lift the loaf from the cooker to a serving platter. Gently pull foil strips away from the loaf and discard.

Yield: 8 servings