Edward's Open-Faced Meatloaf Sandwiches

Prepare Meatloaf: Preheat oven to 350°. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet. Add onions and next 2 ingredients to hot drippings, and sauté 3 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, and let cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).

Add ground chuck, next 5 ingredients, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and cooked bacon to onion mixture in bowl, and combine mixture, using hands. Stir together brown sugar, soy sauce, and remaining 1/2 cup ketchup in a separate bowl.

Transfer meat mixture to a lightly greased 9- x 5-inch loafpan. Brush top with ketchup mixture.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in center registers 155°. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour, reserving 1 cup drippings.

Prepare Gravy: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Slowly whisk in broth and meatloaf drippings. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, whisking constantly, 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. pepper, and 1/4 tsp. lemon juice. Remove from heat.

Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange Texas toast slices on a baking sheet, and bake 8 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove from oven.

Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Gently break 4 eggs into a hot skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness. Remove from skillet, and cover with aluminum foil. Repeat procedure with remaining 4 eggs.

Cut meatloaf into 8 slices. Sprinkle tomato slices with desired amount of salt. Spread 1 side of each toast slice with 1 1/2 tsp. mayonnaise. Top each toast slice, mayonnaise sides up, with 1 tomato slice and 1 meatloaf slice. Gently place 1 cooked egg on each meatloaf slice. Serve with gravy; sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and freshly ground pepper.

*2 Tbsp. cola soft drink may be substituted.