Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf

I had every intention of using the slow cooker for this recipe, but the day got away from me and I never had time. The oven variation was just as good. The meat loaf was soooooo satisfying, like a giant hug from the comfort food fairy.

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 28-oz. 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- I used canned
1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese with jalapeno peppers, shredded
Corn tortillas
1 recipe Smokey Tomato Salsa

Combine eggs, 1/1 crushed tomatoes (reserve remaining tomatoes for Smokey Tomato Salsa), and crushed tortilla chips. Stir in onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, and 1/2 tsp. each salt and black pepper. Add beef, pork and corn; mix well. Shape into a round or oblong loaf to fit slow cooker. Put in foil sling- see direction below.

Cover; cook on low 5 to 6 hours or on high 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from slow cooker and let stand 10 minutes. Serve with corn tortillas and Smokey Tomato Salsa, avocado, green onions, cilantro and lime wedges optional.

Smokey Tomato Salsa-Combine reserved tomatoes; I green pepper, chopped; 1/3 cup chopped green onion; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro; 2 minced, seeded jalapeno peppers; 1 TB. lime juice; and 1/4 tsp. salt

Oven Variation Preheat oven to 350. Bake covered meat loaf for 1 1/4 hours. Uncover sprinkle with cheese, return to oven for 10 minutes. Serve as directed in main recipe.

Foil sling- To place meat loaf in and lift out of 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 he ends of the foils 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. Pull foil strips away and discard.