Pumpkin Cauldron Chili

• 900g beef mince (or a mixture of beef and pork)

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 large eggs **(if you don’t eat eggs, see the bottom of the recipe for an alternative)

• ½ cup milk

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ cup tomato sauce / puree / passata or ketchup (for glaze)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• Sliced onions (for fingernails)

• Extra tomato sauce for “bloody” effect

1. Prepare the meatloaf mixture: In a large bowl, combine the mince, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, eggs**, milk, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly incorporated.

2. Shape the meatloaf: On a lined baking sheet, shape the meat mixture into a large hand. To make it more realistic, form individual fingers and press down slightly on the ends to create knuckles. Make sure the fingers aren’t too thin, as they will shrink while cooking.

3. Add fingernails and details: Slice the onion into small pieces and place them on the tips of the fingers as “fingernails.” Use a knife to create indentations for knuckles and wrist bones.

4. Make the glaze: Mix together the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Brush the entire hand-shaped meatloaf generously with the glaze.

5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C (375°F). Bake the meatloaf hand for 50-60 minutes. About 10 minutes before it's done, you can brush it with more ketchup to give it a fresh, bloody look.

6. Final touches: Once the meatloaf is cooked through, drizzle extra ketchup around the wrist and fingers to give it a gory, bloody appearance.

7. Serve: Place the meatloaf hand on a serving platter and carve into it like a true zombie dinner!

Don’t eat eggs? No problem! Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch / Maizena with 3 tablespoons of water per egg to substitute egg in this meatloaf.

Tip: For an added visual effect, surround the hand with mashed potatoes and drizzle the “blood” tomato sauce over the top.