Turkey Meatloaf

No offense to all the moms out there, but this is not your moms meatloaf. This delightful dinner is great anytime of year, but mostly this time of year with the weather starts to get cooler. And of course my recipe is modified to include more veggies, fiber, and less fat.

Ingredients:

• 1 large package lean ground turkey meat (about 1 lb)
• 1/4 lb ground pork (you can omit this but it does add flavor and keeps the loaf moist)
• 1 brown onion
• 1 (defrosted) box of spinach or one fresh bag of spinach
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup dry oats
• 2 TBS flax meal
• 1 egg
• 2 TBS olive oil
• 2 TBS balsamic vinegar
• 1 jar Chili Sauce (see picture below for my preferred brand)
• salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375.

Defrost the spinach if you are using frozen by running under warm water in a colander. Strain of all liquid (using a dish towel or just your hands) and set aside.

Brown the onion in the olive oil and vinegar until translucent over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook 2 more minutes. Add the spinach and cook a few more minutes until combined.

Turn off heat and let cool, then add to a large bowl. Next, add the turkey, pork if you are using it, egg, oats, flax and about 1/3 of the jar of the chili sauce and combine with your clean hands.

Once the mixture is cohesive, form into 2 large loaves. I usually cook them side by side and often lay slided potatoes or sweet potatoes underneath. Form little gutters in the center of each loaf and slather with more of the sweet chili sauce. Bake Covered about 40 minutes, then take the foil off and bake another 10 minutes. Because "loaf" is not much a scientific measurement, be sure to cut into one of the loaves before deciding to stop cooking. If it still looks pink, give it 5-10 more minutes. Remove from oven and let it rest under foil for 10 minutes before serving.
I hope you love this! It is really an easy and delicious comfort meal. Slice up your leftovers to make meatloaf sandwiches the next day. Yum.