Sausage Stuffed French Loaf

I found this in one of my many Southern Living cookbooks. I collect cookbooks, you know. And the Southern Living ones happen to be my favorite! I'm not a big sausage fan, but Chad really likes it. Having the mix of ground beef and sausage seems to tame the taste down a bit. So it makes both of us happy. This big sandwich is man-sized for a man-sized appetite. When we eat this, I usually serve it with a good, cool, cucumber-tomato salad and some chips. It makes for a nice summer-time meal that pleases everybody (even the kiddos)!
And please take note: I took pictures this time!

1 (1 pound) loaf French bread
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fennel seed
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 garlic clove, minced



In a skillet, brown beef, sausage and onion; drain.


Cut off ends of loaf; set ends aside. Hollow out center of loaf with a long serrated bread knife, leaving a 1/2 inch shell. In a food processor or blender, process bread crumbs until coarse; set aside 1 cup. (Discard remaining crumbs or save for another use.)


Stir in reserved crumbs, cheese, egg, parsley, mustard, pepper, salt and fennel; mix well.


Spoon meat mixture into shell; replace loaf ends, securing with wooden toothpicks. Melt butter in saucepan. Add garlic; cook about 1 minute. Brush butter mixture over loaf. Wrap loaf in aluminum foil, leaving open slightly on top; place loaf on baking sheet.


Bake at 400 for 25 minutes or until loaf is heated and cheese melts. Slice into 6 servings.