Healthy Meatloaf Variations

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1009 -- More Projects »
Chef Michelle Licata provides healthy meatloaf recipes.
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Why not make your meatloaf with lamb instead of beef? See the recipe at left.
Greek-Stuffed Lamb Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 medium eggplant, peeled and sliced into 1/4" slices
olive oil
2 lbs. ground lamb
1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
1/4 cup freshly chopped mint
1/4 cup freshly chopped Italian parsley
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs
3/4 cup good spaghetti sauce
1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 pkg. organic frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly brush eggplant slices with olive oil. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, combine lamb, pine nuts, mint, parsley, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, sauce, salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands.

In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, shape half of the meat mixture in the bottom. Layer the eggplant slices on top, followed by the spinach. Shape the remaining meat mixture over the filling, making sure to seal. Bake for an hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Serve with lemon rice pilaf and Greek salad.

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Another great idea is to substitute beef for turkey. A little apricot sauce tops it off nicely.
Oriental Turkey Meatloaf With Apricot Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp. white pepper
1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt
2-1/2 lbs. fresh ground turkey
2 tsp. chili paste
1/3 hoisin sauce
2 Tbs. tamari soy sauce
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin (about 7)
one 8-oz. pkg. fresh bean sprouts, rinsed
1/2 large red pepper, chopped
2 tsp. fresh minced ginger
1-1/2 cup Japanese breadcrumbs
2-1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
1/2 cup egg substitute

Preparation:

Preheat over to 375 degrees. Combine all of the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl. Gently mix together with your hands until thoroughly combined. Lightly oil a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and shape the meatloaf mixture into a rectangular shape. Bake for an hour and 15 minutes or until 165 degrees.

Ingredients for the Apricot Sauce:

one 10-oz. jar all-fruit apricot preserves
2 Tbs. tamari soy sauce
2 Tbs. rice vinegar

Preparation:

Combine preserves, soy sauce and rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and serve over slices of meatloaf.

Guests
Michele Licata
Professional Chef
E-mail: olivesandpearls@msn.com
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