This is my turkey meatloaf, You can also do this recipe with beef, but since ground turkey is less expensive for me at my store, we are eating lots of ground turkey right now. This meatloaf is full of vegetables to add extra moisture to the lean turkey. It also makes it healthier. My husband despises the traditional ketchup and brown sugar meatloaf topping, so I dreamed up this sauce. The sauce is tomato based, but not sweet. This is a delicious flavorful, tangy tomato sauce that adds another layer of flavor to the meatloaf.
Yield: Serves 4
For the Meatloaf:
2 1/2 lb. ground turkey or beef
1 large vidalia onion, or other sweet onion
1 large green bell pepper
3 stalks celery
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup chopped cremini or button mushrooms
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
4 slices bread, chopped very finely, or put in the food processor
2 tablespoons southern spice blend which consists of:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon of tomato paste
For the Sauce:
1 medium vidalia onion, sliced
1/2 cup sliced crimini or button mushrooms, sliced
1 small can tomato paste minus 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon southern spice blend, which consists of:
1 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoons black pepper
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup water
Olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Chop all vegetables for the meatloaf very small, or pulse in a food processor. Add to a large bowl. Add meat, milk, bread, eggs, worcestershire sauce, and spices.
Either incorporate all ingredients well with your hands, or use a potato masher. Put meat mixture in a bread loaf pan, or you can shape in a loaf on a large cookie sheet. Cooking on the cookie sheet allows the fat to run away from the loaf.
For the sauce, preheat a skillet. Drizzle with olive oil. Add onions and mushrooms. Sprinkle with a little kosher salt and saute until tender. Add tomato paste, vinegar, worcestershire sauce, spices, and water. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and let reduce and thicken until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.