Mediterranean Style Meatloaf Food

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Add all ingredients for the meatloaf to a large mixing bowl (with the exception of the coatings). I usually add 2 large pinches of salt and several grinds of black pepper, but you can adjust that to your own taste. Work the ingredients through the meat mixture just enough to incorporate (it doesn't matter if ingredients aren't distributed uniformly. Check the consistency of your mixture: you want to be able to form it into a loaf without having it fall apart, but you don't want it to be too dry. If the mixture is too wet and falling apart, add an additional 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs. If the mixture is too dry, add another tbsp. of tomato sauce (more if needed).
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set a baking rack onto the foil and coat generously with cooking spray. Form the meat mixture into a loaf, making sure that it's roughly the same thickness throughout for even cooking. Rub on the tomato sauce and sprinkle with Romano cheese. Sprinkle lightly with salt and fresh-ground pepper.
• Tent some aluminum foil over the meatloaf: I sometimes lay 2 pieces of foil over each other and fold one side of the long ends over several times. This is the "spine" of the tent. The foil doesn't need to cover the meatloaf tightly: just tuck the open ends down toward the baking rack. Place the meatloaf in the oven.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers, onions, and garlic. Sauté until soft and translucent, 6-8 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, stir to combine. Sprinkle with the vinegar and sugar or Splenda; stir. Bring almost to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Simmer for 45 minutes.
• Check the meatloaf after an hour with an instant-read thermometer: the meatloaf needs to be 160° throughout. Remove the foil. At this point, you can spoon some of the sauce on top of the meat loaf if you'd like. Continue baking as needed.
• Remove the meatloaf from the oven and rest for 10 minutes. Slice thickly and serve with the sauce. Enjoy!

MEDITERRANEAN STYLE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F; place a rack over a rimmed baking sheet (I use a metal cookie cooling rack).
• In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat egg.
• Add in onion, celery, ketchup, bulgur, cheese, cumin, oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste; mix well.
• Add ground beef and mix well; using your hands works best.
• Shape loaf to desire size and shape and place in the center of the rack.
• Bake until an instant read meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes.

MEDITERRANEAN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F Soften tomatoes according to package directions; coarsely chop and set aside.
• In small skillet, cook spinach and onion over low heat 4 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender.
• Remove from heat; cool slightly.
• Stir in cheese; set aside.
• In large bowl, combine turkey, oats, garlic powder, oregano, salt, if desired, pepper, milk and sun-dried tomatoes; mix lightly but thoroughly.
• Shape 2/3 of turkey mixture into 9-by-6-inch loaf in 13-by-9-inch baking dish.
• Make a deep indentation down center of turkey mixture, leaving about 1 1/2 inches around edges of loaf; fill with spinach mixture.
• Top with remaining turkey mixture to completely cover spinach filling; pinch edges to seal.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until juices run clear when pierced with fork.
• Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

MEDITERRANEAN MEATLOAF

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine all of the above ingredients.
• Knead ingredients together until thoroughly blended.
• Place the meat mixture in a non stick roasting pan and pat to form into a loaf shape.
• Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 45 minutes.

ITALIAN-STYLE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl beat egg.
• add ground beef, sausage, bread crumbs, tomato sauce, onion, and peppers and combine.
• halve mixture into two meatloaf pans.
• Bake uncovered for about 2 hours.
• Drain fat from pan and let cool down.
• serve with additional Italian Tomato Sauce.

MEDITERRANEAN TURKEY MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, gently mix all ingredients.
• Shape mixture into a loaf pan.
• Bake 45-55 minutes (until 170 degrees internally).
• Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.