Turkey Loaf: The Healthy Comfort Food

                   “T Loaf”- Thanksgiving Turkey Loaf

       Thanksgiving dinner is such a huge production, but with this loaf, you can easily have the mouth-watering taste of Thanksgiving any weekday dinner.  No, due to baking time, it won’t be ready in 30 minutes minus commercials, but you can serve dinner in about an hour, without rushing, or an hour of washing pans and dishes after dinner.  There’s time to fix side dishes and wash the mixing bowl while the loaf is baking. 

 This entrée is so simple I can’t believe I haven’t seen it made on any show.     The Neelys did have a turkey loaf on their show, but it was more like a regular meatloaf substituting turkey for beef.  They had chopped mushrooms and onions, among the ingredients.  It was probably good, but more complicated, and a totally different flavor.

                    THANKSGIVING TURKEY LOAF

•  2 lb. packages ground turkey
• 1 box turkey-flavored stuffing mix
• 2 eggs
• ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning or sage (poultry seasoning is mostly sage)

     Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

     In a large mixing bowl, put in all ingredients, and knead together with hands.  Place in a 10x10 baking dish or 9x13 baking pan.

 HINT: (If you are really pressed for time you can use two baking pans and make each loaf smaller. That way they cook faster and still keep the moisture so important for a low-fat dish.)

      Bake about 50-60 minutes, until a fork inserted comes out with clear juice, or 180/poultry setting on a meat thermometer inserted in the middle.  

     Ground turkey is 85% fat-free, so it is healthy as well as ranking as comfort food.  It is also lower in sodium than a pre-formed turkey roast, and the stuffing and poultry seasoning add enough flavor without adding salt. 

     Serve with a salad or green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce for the “complete deal”.  Depending on appetites, you can serve about 4 people with this.  If there are fewer hungry people, leftovers can be refrigerated, and are great warmed up for lunch the next day.

 Imagine how impressed your co-workers will be when you bring in a quick “Thanksgiving Dinner” for your lunch.  The loaf would also go over really well for Food Days at work, or pot luck dinners.