Apple Cider-Glazed Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

Chef notes

Long after the war, even as others began to heal and were able to seek physical and emotional support, the LGBTQ+ community had to remain hidden, as did its members' culinary traditions.

Josef had to write his memoir under an alias, fearing persecution simply for loving whom he loved. His was a singular story of the torment endured by gay men, so I wanted to honor his courage with a singular dish.

The one meal that left a lasting impact on him was hosted by the very church that had once condemned him, a quiet yet radical act of compassion and grace.

Meatloaf, at its core an unpretentious dish, gets dressed up to feel special. Sandwich bread, powdered milk and buttermilk all work together to make it extra tender, while dried mushrooms and anchovies make it deeply savory. Of course, you can serve it with mashed potatoes on the side, but I like to put the potatoes in a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe them over the meat loaf in a simple lattice. Have fun and decorate it any way you'd like.