Thursday, September 8, 2011

Fall has Arrived

So fall has arrived in full force in Boston. The past three days have been nonstop rain and cold. Why does the summer always fly by, I feel like it was just fourth of July.

Rain, rain go away!
With the fall comes warm cooked meals, apple picking, pumpkin beer or pumpkin anything for that matter. Maybe fall isn't such a bad thing. The other night I had my inlaws and parents over for dinner to discuss some wedding plans. I made my delicious turkey meatloaf inspired by Rachael Ray. I change the recipe slightly by omitting the butter and use very little oil just to make it a little healthier.

Ingredients
1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 ribs celery from the heart, with leafy tops, chopped
1 bay leaf
Ground pepper to taste
1/2 bag stuffing cubes, such as Pepperidge Farm brand
2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
2 cups chicken stock
1 package 99% lean ground turkey (I usually use ShadyBrook)
1 egg

Preparation
Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and add EVOO. Then add the onion, celery and bay leaf to the skillet, season with pepper and cook until tender which is about 10 minutes. Add the stuffing cubes to the skillet, season with poultry seasoning and then moisten with 2 cups chicken stock. Remove the bay leaf.


Place the stuffing in a bowl and cool.

Once cool enough to handle, add the turkey and egg and together. Form the meat mix into a long loaf on a nonstick baking sheet or pyrex pan. Cook in the oven for about an hour, or until brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature on a meat thermometer).
Turkey meatloaf going in the oven......yummy!
Sorry I didn't take a picture of the final product I was preoccupied with my guests.

Question: What is your favorite fall meal?

**Also please check out the awesome giveaway at The Vegetable Life**