Turkey and Veggie Meatloaf

How do you make something that is full of vegetables and has a low-fat protein source that my kids will eat? Turkey Meatloaf. I did not grow up eating meatloaf, but when I marry my husband, whose heritage background includes Irish and German, I was introduce to the concept of meat and potatoes. However, just eating a loaf that is only meat and with a side of starchy potato seems to be lacking in my nutrients. So, my concept was to add some veggies to it and replacing the white potato with a side of mashed cauliflower. Putting a new spin on the concept of “meat and potato”, and feeling good about it too.

Turkey and Veggie Meatloaf

Ingredients

2 Tbs olive oil

1 onion, chopped (~ 1 cup)

½ bell pepper, chopped (~ 1 cup)

½ cup mushroom, chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

1 cup carrots, grated

1 ½ pound ground turkey

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

3 Tbs milk

2 eggs

½ cup dry bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F degrees.
2. In medium saute pan, heat up olive oil over medium-low heat. Saute onions, bell peppers, carrots and mushrooms until onion is translucent. About 8 minutes. Throw in the garlic and saute additional 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool.
3. In a large mixing bowl, place cooled veggie mix. Add ground turkey, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, milk, eggs, and bread crumbs. Mix lightly until thoroughly mix.
4. Form the meat mixture into a loaf and place in a loaf pan.
5. Bake 45 mins  to 1 hours in oven.
6. Remove from oven and let meatloaf sit for about 20 minutes before serving.
7. Serve. My husband and I like to serve our meatloat with bbq sauce on top. My kids prefer ketchup. Pick yours and enjoy.

Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower florets

3 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

1 Tbs butter

1 tsp olive oil

½ cup low-fat milk

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Steam cauliflower florets until florets are cooked.
2. Place the cauliflower florets into food processor and process until smooth and creamy.
3. In a medium sauce pan over low heat, season the butter and olive oil with garlic. Place garlic in the butter mix over the low heat and stir. The garlic will flavor the oil.
4. Add the cauliflower mixture to the butter in the sauce pan. Add milk, salt and pepper. Stir until thoroughly mix and serve.
5. Optional. To add some color, garnish with chopped chives.