Recipe: Vegetable-Stuffed Meat Loaf (using carrots, mushrooms and zucchini)

VEGETABLE-STUFFED MEAT LOAF

1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1 1/2 cups low-sodium tomato juice, divided use
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided use
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 pound ground turkey breast
3/4 pound ground round beef (85 percent lean)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup rolled quick-cooking oats
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (for the topping)

Combine carrots, mushrooms and zucchini in small saucepan. Stir in 1/2 cup tomato juice and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cover and cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Uncover and allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until most of juice has cooked away. (Watch carefully so it doesn't cook dry or scorch.) Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese.

Spray a broiler pan with nonstick spray coating.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine ground meats, 1/2 cup tomato juice, onion, oats, egg whites, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper; stir well. Spoon meat mixture onto a sheet of wax paper and press lightly into a 9-by-10-inch rectangle. Spoon vegetable mixture over meat.

Use wax paper to gently roll meat, jellyroll fashion, forming a loaf about 10 by 4 inches. Transfer to prepared pan and place loaf seam-side down.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 50 minutes.

Cook remaining 1/2 cup tomato juice in small, uncovered saucepan 5 minutes or until slightly reduced. Stir in balsamic vinegar. Brush tomato juice mixture over meat loaf.

Continue baking meat loaf about 10 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F and meat is no longer pink inside.

Allow to stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Makes 6 servings
Source: The State (SC), January 24, 2007