RECIPE: Mediterranean MeatLoaf

20 years ago

My DD got this recipe from one of the ladies (Lynn) she works with. DH & I have had it many times already.

OK. OK. We really really like it. So, I probably make it at least 2x a month.

DH has to think of it as Mediterranean Loaf and not meatloaf....and he is good to go. It is even good cold the next day.

Easy quick and tasty.

MEDITERRANEAN LOAF - recipe courtesy of Lynn

2-3 T chopped olives

1/4 C sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (jar in olive oil)

1 (10 OZ) package frozen chopped spinach - thawed & drained

1/4 C chopped onions

1/2 C crumbled feta cheese

1 1/2LBS ground turkey (Package comes 1 1/3 LB - I use this)

1 C quick or old fashioned oats-uncooked

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp italian seasonings

1/2 tsp salt (optional) - (I don't use - feta & olives make it salty enough for us)

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 C skim milk

1. Preheat oven to 400Â° F

2. In small skillet, cook spinach & onion over low heat 4-5 minutes or until onion is tender.

3. Remove from heat; cool slightly.

4. Stir in cheese; set aside.

5. In large bowl, combine turkey, oats, garlic powder, oregano, Italian seasonings, salt (if desired), pepper, milk, chopped olives and sun-dried tomatoes; Mix lightly but thoroughly.

6. Shape 2/3 of turkey mixture into 9X6 loaf pan.

7. Make a deep indentation down center of turkey mixture, leaving about 1 1/2 inches around edges of loaf; fill with spinach mixture.

8. Top with remaining turkey mixture to completely cover spinach filling; pinch edges to seal.

9. Bake 30-35 minutes or so until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

~mj-------->Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

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Comments (11)

san_
20 years ago
the seasoning ingredients all sound like a great combo that we'd both enjoy. i'm wondering if you've ever tried it using something other than the ground turkey? that is one thing i've never learned to like. in any case, i'm copying and pasting to our "to try" list--thanx!
ruthanna_gw
20 years ago
That sounds delicious. With those seasonings, I bet it would be good with lean ground lamb too.
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mjny
Original Author
20 years ago
I've only made it with the ground turkey. We've been trying to eat a little healthier, but as I mentioned, DH cannot think of it as 'meatloaf'. It is paler in color than a meatloaf and tastes nothing like beef.

~mj------->who says try it, I think you will be really surprised by how good it is. And, it is very quick to put together.
dlynn2
20 years ago
We tried this and loved it --- we even used the ground turkey! It didn't say exactly what kind of olives to use so we used Kalamata olives and they were great in it. We also substituted fresh spinach for the frozen. My kids thought it was delicious and asked to have the leftovers in their lunchbox the next day.

Thanks for sharing this.
pat_t
20 years ago
mjny - thanks for posting this recipe. I plan on trying it soon. Also, a co-worker of mine is trying to get his family to eat healthier, so I shared it with him and he said to say thanks too.
woodie
20 years ago
This sounds really good! Thanks for the recipe (I'm a ground turkey lover).
mjny
Original Author
20 years ago
Hey, you guys are welcome.

I'm just happy to see this recipe has sparked some interest. Lynn and my DD will be happy. Seems weird that I now get recipes from my DD. I guess my baby is growing up. sigh.

Dlynn, I've only made it with canned black olives. Those I always seem to have on hand. I will have to try it with the kalamatas. Sounds YUM and much more mediterranean. :)))
rosecmd
20 years ago
Wow, I have a recipe I clipped from the Washington Post 20 years ago almost identical to this except no olives or tomatoes...it is delicious. My recipe has a topping of 1/4 cup ketchup mixed with a few TBSP of parmesan cheese, but otherwise it just about identical with the spinach & feta stuffing down the middle. Now I'll have to try your version! Thanks for posting it...
rosecmd
20 years ago
mj..I'm going to try your recipe tomorrow night, but seeing it inspired me to dig through my recipe binders and offer a similar recipe with some different flavors:

Meat Mixture:

1 pound ground turkey breast
1/4 cup milk
1 cup quick oats or dried breadcrumbs (Italian is fine)
1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, chopped fine
1 med. onion, diced fine & sauteed in 1-2 tsp veg oil
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp dried mint
3 TBSP bottled salsa
hot pepper sauce to taste (optional)

Filling:

1 10-oz box frozen spinach, thawed & drained
1 egg
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled, about 4 oz

Topping:

1/3 cup ketchup
1 tsp cinnamon
3 TBSP parmesan cheese

1. Gently mix all meat mixture ingredients together. Put 2/3 of the mix into a lightly piled/sprayed meatloaf pan. Make a shallow well down the center.

2. Spread spinach filling down the center of the well. Cover with the rest of the meat mix, pat it all around to cover.

3. Spread topping over the top.

Bake at 375 for ~1 hour, 10 minutes. Great the next day in sandwiches.
leafy_nm
20 years ago
MJ, that looks great, but like San, I have never learned to like ground turkey. I never learned to like any kind of turkey, really. Sounds like that might do well with a combination of ground beef and pork. Use lean meat, and it would probably be as healthy as the ground turkey.
dlynn2
20 years ago
I don't care for turkey either, but we liked this. I think the addition of all of these strong flavors hides the turkey flavor!