Turkey Meatloaf

Lindsay L. from New Orleans writes, "I don't mind your blog, but seriously all of your recipes are designed to make people fat. Mashed potatoes, braised bacon, peanut butter covered Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Can't you post something healthy for once?"

Thank you, Lindsay, for such a timely email. At the beginning of every year, many people make promises to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight. I call those people quitters, but Madison Ave. calls them Resolution Makers. Hell, a healthy meal every now and then never killed anyone and Hitler was a vegetarian who never drank. There is an important lesson buried in there somewhere.

One of my favorite healthy sounding meals is Turkey Meatloaf. Cook the vegetables before mixing with the ground turkey. This does two things. First, it helps add flavor. Second, and more importantly it helps add moisture to what can be a dry dish. I make no promises that this is actually healthy as I don't really know what that means. But it is in a healthier direction than typical meatloaf.

This is a picture of onion rings, which are decidedly not healthy. But more healthy than a whole fried onion. 

Turkey Meatloaf

Here is a general guidepost. Dice one onion, two carrots, and two stalks of celery, along with one zucchini and some white mushrooms. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and saute the vegetables until just softening. Insert salt and pepper here. Add in a teaspoon of chopped garlic. Lower the heat. Deglaze with a half cup of white wine (or lemon juice if you gave up booze). Let wine evaporate.

Add in a teaspoon or so of your favorite poultry herbs, fresh please. I like thyme and tarragon, but rosemary is good. Now add a cup of chicken stock. Again let the stock evaporate. Allow the vegetable mixture to cool. When cool add to one of those boxes of ground turkey meat. Mix in one egg and a half cup of bread crumbs. More salt and pepper, maybe a little cayenne, here. Mix by hand and form into a loaf and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.

You can top with ketchup if you like, but I found ketchup cut with balsamic or Rooster sauce makes for a more pleasing topping.