Day 341: Kaleidoscopic Turkey Loaf

Kaleidoscopic Turkey Loaf

This basic recipe from Martie is very versatile and very forgiving. Simply use what appeals to your family and you can’t miss.

1                  lb. ground turkey

11⁄2-2                  Cups finely chopped vegetables—a mix of any of the following according to season (be careful not to add more than 2 Cups or it is hard for the meat loaf to stick together and stay a loaf!): onions (always); red, yellow or orange

bell peppers; carrots; squash; parsnips; apples; celery; cranberries; nuts; fresh chives; mushrooms; corn, fresh from the cob or frozen; peas, fresh or frozen; capers

1                  large egg, or 1⁄4 Cup cream or 1⁄4 Cup catsup to bind

1                  tsp. salt

1⁄4-1⁄2                                    tsp. PENZEYS FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER, to taste

2                  TB. fresh herbs (sage, basil, oregano or marjoram) or 2 tsp. dried

1                  TB. MURAL OF FLAVOR, TUSCAN SUNSET or ARIZONA DREAMING  or use Chili Powder!

1⁄4-1⁄3                                    Cup panko or regular bread crumbs, preferably whole wheat

2                  TB. butter

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, your choice of chopped ingredients, egg, salt, PEPPER, herbs and SEASONING. Mix until thoroughly combined. Pat into a standard loaf pan. In a small frying pan, melt the butter. Add the bread crumbs and stir to coat with butter. Spread over the loaf. Or, spread the bread crumbs over the loaf and dot with butter. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes.

Notes from Martie: “The wonderful thing about this family favorite is that it can be varied with the season—green onions, celery, mushrooms and fresh green peas for spring; peppers, carrots, parsnips or squash and onions for winter; and apples, cranberries, nuts and celery for fall. Or what have you! It can also be Chinese-influenced with soy sauce and chopped water chestnuts, CHINESE FIVE SPICE and topping with Chinese noodles;

or it can have an Indian flavor by using GINGER, TURMERIC, CURRY POWDER and CINNAMON; Italian with chopped tomatoes, catsup, OREGANO and BASIL and a little olive oil if extra moisture is needed.”

Prep. time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 40-45 minutes Serves: 4-6

Nutritional Information: Servings 4; Serving Size 2 slices (235g); Calories 330; Calories from fat 150; Total fat 17g; Cholesterol 170mg; Sodium 1100mg; Carbohydrate 15g; Dietary Fiber 3g.

Several times a year I look forward to receiving the PenzySpices Catalogue.  Each catalogue has wonderful free recipes.  You can access the whole catalogue online as well. I copy here a new favorite recipe.  It is like "kitchen sink turkey loaf" for it encourages you to be creative.  Try it!