"Gourmet" turkey meatloaf!
Posted in Main Course, Recipes on April 19th, 2009 by Van SantosThe raw ingredients:
And not terribly beautiful to look at, but I can assure you quite yummy is the final product. I need to say that normally I would use the traditional loaf pan, but we’re switching out our non-stick coated stuff for healthier options like stainless steal, glass and cast iron and haven’t gotten around to the loaf pans yet.
So the ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1 large onion (diced in small bits and sauteed)
1 bulb garlic (or to your liking, diced and cooked up with the onions)
1 cup pecorino/romano cheese blend (you can choose any dry grated cheese you like)
1/2 cup pesto
2 tsp red chili flakes (more or less according to taste–I like spice)
1 cup oats soaked in milk for several hours (Bread crumbs are traditionally used in meatloaf. When I became aware of my wheat sensitivity I came up with the oats as an alternative and they are quite delightful even if you can eat wheat! I recommend you give it a try.)
3 eggs
3 handfuls of dehydrated tomatoes (not pictured above—I thought of it as I cooked the onions and garlic and threw them in with some water to steam and reconstitute—my step-dad sends us loads of them every year from their very prolific garden)
Salt to taste. I also tossed in a bit of Tamari while steaming the tomatoes as part of the reconstitution process…but just a bit of it…didn’t want to be aware of the Tamari in a distinct fashion. (Tamari is basically soy sauce but it’s made without wheat)
Directions:
Saute onions, garlic and tomatoes if you want to use them. The alternative is half can of tomato paste in the meat mixture or if you have it on hand and eat the stuff a hefty squirt of Ketchup. I don’t eat Ketchup anymore, but it works if you do.
Put aside the sauteed veggies and let cool.
Mix the meat and all the rest of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Once the saute has cooled a bit mix that in with all the meat ingredients.
Oil pan. I use an olive oil spray. Dump the meat mixture into the pan.
Put into pre-heated 350 degree oven for approximately 50 minutes. I never know exactly how long a meatloaf is going to take. Just see that it’s browned and make sure the interior is cooked by putting a knife in the middle and see that it comes out clean.
Enjoy!
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That looks soooooo good! I love that it has pesto in it.
I think of it as sort of a homemade turkey sausage meatloaf…because some of the fancy sausages I buy these days are made with similar ingredients…
Wow, I think you’ve out done yourself on this one! Big time. The oats and the pesto are additions I would have never thought of and make the dish seem even more appetizing.
There is only one place I really enjoy meatloaf, but this really is appealing to me.
What other subs did you try before you ended up with the oats?
I haven’t tried other subs…but any rolled grain would be fine…rye or barley for example you can get rolled just like oats…
the oats worked so well I never even considered trying anything else!
Well then! Nice choice on the oats.
I have never tried a turkey meatloaf before. It sounds terrific, Love the pesto in it. It looks so moist.
What delicious ingredients you add to your meatloaf! I use oatmeal in mine, too, but have never soaked them beforehand. I originally started using the oatmeal because I was having a sensitivity to gluten. This could also be called ‘Italian’ style meatloaf! What a great comfort meal!
Just moments ago came across “this post, which also uses oats in the meatloaf mix.
Crap – that link doesn’t work. Here it is again.
That looks wicked good. I love meatloaf, but my girlfriend won’t eat it (her mothers meatloaf is… traumatizing) so I don’t get to make it much.
Yea, my mom’s wasn’t the best either Bob… I’ve stayed away for years.
Yes so meatloaf is definitely one of the tastiest least-photogenic foods out there. I LOVE turkey meatloaf, especially the pesto you added to this. One of my favorite things to do with meatloaf is to turn the recipe into burgers! Great way to still enjoy meatloaf in summer when it’s too warm to turn on the oven.
good idea Joanne…
I actually do make basically this same recipe except without the eggs and oats for turkey burgers—but I like the idea of meatloaf burgers too. I like the texture of meatloaf that the breadcrumbs or in this case the oats and eggs give it!!
Man, I think I’m going to love this feed
(No pun intended!)