Background

Hungarian meatloaf - called Stefania vagdalt - is a very popular dish in Hungary, particularly at Easter time. Traditionally, on Easter Monday, men & boys visit their female friends and relatives to sprinkle some perfume on their head while reciting a short locsolkodó poem. In return they get a painted egg, some food ( such as ham, stuffed eggs and this meatloaf) and, of course, pálinka. To be honest the recipe of the meatloaf is almost the same as the fasírozott (Hungarian meatballs) recipe,  you just make a loaf shape of the mixture and stuff a couple of  boiled eggs in the middle of it, then bake it in the oven. Most people make it with a stale bread-roll pre-soaked in water or milk; some make it with breadcrumbs - my version has rice in it, so it’s gluten (and dairy) free. The meatloaf can be served hot with mashed potatoes on the side; or cold, which is ideal for parties and picnics. This is the basic recipe, you can add other herbs to it, such as a spoonful of dried/fresh marjoram and parsley.