Recipe: Mediterranean Meat Loaf (using ground turkey, serves 2)

MEDITERRANEAN MEAT LOAF

“A light turkey meat loaf served with fresh tomato-and-olive sauce captures the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean."

1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
3/4 pound ground raw white-meat turkey
1 egg white
FOR THE TOMATO-AND-OLIVE SAUCE:
12 pitted, sliced black olives (Kalamata, if possible)
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1/4 cup diced low-fat ham
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a nonstick skillet with the olive oil spray.

Add the onion and carrots and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove half of the vegetables and set aside.

Add the mushrooms to the skillet. Saute, stirring, for 2 minutes. Mix vegetables in skillet with the bread crumbs, ground turkey and egg white.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Shape the turkey mixture into 2 loaves about 6 inches by 3 inches and place on the foil.

Bake for 15 minutes.

MEANWHILE, TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
Spray skillet with more olive oil spray, and add reserved onion and carrots. Add the olives, pepper flakes, ham and tomatoes. Cover and saute over medium heat for 5 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper.

Spoon tomato mixture over meat loaf and serve.

Makes 2 servings
Source: Linda Gassenheimer to The Philadelaphia Inquirer, September 26, 2001