3000 miles 'til dinner.

I have been cooking for The Palmer/Pletsch School of Sewing here in Portland, Oregon for years. Designers & teachers, professionals in the world of sewing, come from all over the world to fine tune their skills AND enjoy lunch when 12 noon rolls around. I always introduce new dishes such as LARB GAI (spicy minced chicken salad),taking the class on an international tour of cuisines, but this simple turkey loaf recipe is often requested. In the most recent April class, there were two students who were vegetarian, so I was inspired to create a veg. loaf version of this recipe.

Prep time:   20 minutes

Baking time:  35-45 minutes

Oven temp:   350 degrees, middle rack

Pans:     2 - 9 1/2 x 5” bread pans

Servings:   4 

Veg option: see “just wing it”

♥PANTRY, FRIDGE, MARKET♥♥

2-1/2# ground turkey (dark/white meat combo)

1 medium onion, cut in quarters

3 large cloves garlic

10-15 sprigs cilantro or parsley

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 C. tomato sauce or ketchup

1 C. panko or fresh breadcrumbs

1/2 C. milk 

2 large eggs

1/2 t. chili pepper flakes

1-1/2 t. oregano

1-1/2 t. basil

1-1/2 t. thyme

 1 t. sea salt

1/2 t. black or white pepper

Sauce for top of loaf - stir together

1/4 C. tomato sauce or ketsup

1/4 C. barbecue sauce

♥Prep - food processor

In processor bowl, pulse onion, garlic and parsley/cilantro until finely chopped. Scoop into a large bowl. (If you are making fresh breadcrumbs, pulse pieces of bread at this time to make the crumbs) Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly; pack into two 9x3 bread pans and spoon on sauce.

♥ Bake - 350 degrees, 35-45 minutes

Loaf is done when center is cooked through; let rest for 5 minutes and pour off fat that has accumulated. 

♥♥ WAYS TO “just wing it” ♥♥               consider or substitute

*sub: any combination of ground meats, such as beef & pork, turkey & pork, turkey & chicken, etc.  

*consider meatballs - use half the mixture for a loaf and half for meatballs….freeze uncooked meatballs for a spaghetti feast the following week

*sub: fine ground dried bread crumbs: use 2 T. less

*herbs: use other combinations of fresh or dried herbs

*sub: other “meat” sauce rather than Worcestershire

*sub: chutney puree or hoisen & tomato sauce to glaze the top of the loaf

*vegetarian loaf:  purchase 1 3/4#  wheat/gluten chicken-less product, such as this one found in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe, grind in processor and follow recipe 

♥ Helpful Hints♥

*if you don’t have a bread pan, simply shape the loaf into a “rectangular mound” onto any baking pan (with sides - to catch the fat) making two small loaves, or one large loaf

*left over cooked turkey loaf: (1) makes delicious sandwiches  (2) freezes for up to 3 weeks

*panko - a crunchy bread crumb found in International markets and most Asian  markets