Mediterranean Turkey Meatloaf

Friday Jim’s brother and wife were driving down from northern IN, but first going to Lebanon to drop off their cousin who was visiting up north.  With our current traffic situation we figured it would be about 1 hour from Lebanon to here at the time of day they would be traveling into Nashville.  They were very surprised at the growth in the whole area and the traffic.  As we were going out to a restaurant on Saturday, I refused to have a beef dish.  I knew Jim would order a steak.  He did and so did his brother.  His brother does not  like fish so that left poultry.   

I happen to love meatloaf and trying all different meatloaf recipes.  This recipe comes from the Costco magazine.  It was delicious.  Makes 6-8 servings.  With Jim cutting and serving, it served 4 with seconds for 2.  I chose mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts for an accompaniment.  They were perfect.  I had wanted to set the table while Jim was playing golf on Friday and asked him to get things out that are not possible while using a walker.  Also wanted the Brussels sprouts brought in so i could clean them leisurely.  

Thursday was a PT day and it just exhausts me.  I can’t even remember what we had for dinner.  It might have been a Costco quiche.  Jim keeps things around for days like this.  Unfortunately he forgot to do any of it, so it was a panic to get all that done plus making the meatloaf.  I was not happy.  I was beyond exhausted Saturday.  Slept, Tylenol, and 7up for my upset stomach finally got me alive enough to go out for dinner.  I was not great company.

Ingredients:

2/3 C onion, finely diced

1 T oil

8 oz canned tomato sauce, divided

2 eggs, beaten

1 T Worcestershire side

2 T fresh basil, finely chopped

2 t garlic, minced

2 1/2 t Italian seasoning

1 1/2 t fine sea salt

1/4 t black pepper 

1/4 t crushed red pepper

2/3 C panko

1 pkg. (1.67 lbs.) Butterball ground turkey

1 T balsamic glaze

1 t sugar 

1/3 C shredded Italian blend cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small pan, cook the onion in oil until soft.  Cool slightly and drain.  
3. In a large bowl, add 4 oz. tomato sauce, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, basil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper and panko.  Mix thoroughly.  Gently mix in ground turkey.  
4. Spray a 9”X5”loaf pan with cooking spray.  Transfer the meat mixture to the loaf pan, rounding the top of the mixture.  
5. Bake 45 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, mix remaining tomato sauce, balsamic glaze and sugar with a whisk.  
7. Remove the pan from the oven.  Spread tomato glaze evenly on top.  
8. Add cheese.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F
9. Cool 10 minutes before slicing.