All aboard the delicious train.
Certain recipes bring back fond and happy memories of loved ones. Maybe it’s the smell, perhaps it’s the little touch you put on the end result, or that secret ingredient they told you about in confidence.
For me, one of the recipes that bring back warm, loving memories is meatloaf. I know, weird to put that into a sentence but it reminds me of my Grandma. Man oh man, she made the absolute best meatloaf. I would put her up against any professional chef.
“Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” – Michael Pollan
Meatloaf was a recipe she made on a regular basis. She wouldn’t necessarily make it with sides and serve it up on a plate for supper.
She would make it as a dish to snack on, make a sandwich, and it was also a buffet cold plate standard.
You would walk into my grandparents’ house and be smacked in the face with a delicious scent as soon as you opened the door.
Like most things, it was best right out of the oven. Grandma’s meatloaf was super moist and filled with flavour.
We would cut big chunks, and, given we were kids we would squeeze a big blob of Heinz ketchup on top.
Suffice to say, it never lasted long. She had her staple recipe she used and never broke from it. There was no need — it was already perfect.
“And then you took the words right out of my mouth. Oh, it must have been while you were kissing me. You took the words right out of my mouth. And I swear it’s true I was just about to say, “I love you”, love you.” – Meatloaf
I couldn’t resist not using a quote from the man himself.
A few years back I came across a recipe for turkey quinoa meatloaf. At first, I was like what in the heck is that? It came across my eyes at a time that I was really trying to eat healthy and cut down on red meat. I was intrigued and thankfully so. Although it tastes nothing like my grandma’s, it was equally delicious. Filled with juicy flavour, so tender and moist. I knew it would become a staple in my house.
As I was making this today, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share it with you.
I can see how you would think that the combination of minced turkey and quinoa on its own is bland — that it’s probably flavourless and boring. But it’s the added ingredients that give this recipe all that you could ask for in meatloaf.
Aside from the turkey and quinoa, this recipe contains brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce (I can never pronounce that one correctly – ugh!) hot pepper sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onion, egg, salt and pepper.
Tip to keep in mind: when making the quinoa, instead of using water, cook it with chicken, bone, or veggie broth as it will provide additional flavour to the overall dish.
“My love is meatloaf flavoured. I just wish my meatloaf was meatloaf flavoured.” – Unknown
I never had meatloaf as part of my regular recipes. Mainly because I found it to be a heavy dish. Especially if you serve it with mashed potatoes. However, this recipe is light and fluffy and pairs great with a side salad. A satisfying and healthy dish for lunch or supper.
Meatloaf is typically baked in the form of a loaf - but why go with the norm? The shape of cupcakes it is for this foodie. Easy to make, easy to serve and easy on the eyes when plated. It is also easy to freeze and take out of the freezer for a quick grab and go food.
I think I will go reward myself with another piece. Yum! I will say it is hard resisting a second or third sliver. As you know, willpower is nonexistent for me with good food.
“My wife has to be the worst cook. I don’t believe meatloaf should glow in the dark.” – Rodney Dangerfield
I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. Go look it up as turkey and quinoa meatloaf is definitely fit to eat.
Erin Sulley is a self-confessed foodie who lives in Mount Pearl. Email [email protected]Twitter: @ErinSulley Instagram: @erinsulley
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