Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Turkey Meatloaf with Feta & Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Turkey craft we made in Girl Scouts many years ago!
Most people know me with my camera in my hand.  I've shot soccer games, school field trips, Girl Scout events, dance competitions, landscapes and seascapes on vacation, Easter egg hunts, etc. etc. etc.  A few of my friends have even stopped brining their cameras to these events as they know that I'll always have mine with me.  

Food photography though has really gotten me... I can't get good shots consistently and I'm finding it more than frustrating.  Lighting, depth of field and most importantly food styling are all issues that I've been struggling with.  Sometimes the shot works... more often than not... it doesn't!  

This brings us to Giada De Laurentis' Turkey Meatloaf.  A popular dish in my household and one most definitely worth sharing!  Locally grown, organic sun dried tomatoes from our farmers market baked beautifully into the turkey adding a touch of texture along with their zesty tomato flavor.  The feta in the mix was a real treat, especially as it is one of my new favorite treats.  Aromatic garlic and onion round out the flavors providing the perfect complement to the mouthwatering turkey.  

As tasty as this dish is, I couldn't get a photo that did it justice... I've come to the conclusion that meatloaf is not pretty.  I tried inside, outside, as a loaf, as a few slices, on a plate with salad, on a plate alone.  No, it is just not an appetizing photo.  It is however a very appetizing dish that will make its way into our regular rotation!  Hence, I'm providing this lovely photo of Giada, who has one of the most engaging smiles and always seems so happy in place of my own shot.  She is far more attractive than her meatloaf!

Photo credit: She Knows Entertainment


Turkey Meatloaf with Feta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

  • Vegetable cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped garlic and herb-marinated sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced, optional
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (I used one with Mediterranean Herbs)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat (I used a mix of light and dark)

Directions

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375º F. 

Spray a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. 

In a large bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, if using, eggs, milk, feta, salt, and pepper.  Add the turkey and gently stir to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.

Carefully pack the meat mixture into the prepared pan and bake until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice. Put on a serving platter and serve.

28 comments:

  1. Meat loaf is a hard food item to shoot...there is no question about it. But Giada is a lovely replacement...she is so pretty and so tiny for all the good food she makes! Moderation is key! This sounds delicious though, and I'm eager to give it a try. Thanks for sharing your turkey with us too :-)

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  2. sounds excellent!like...giada!

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  3. Suggestion: Meatloaf may not be pretty, but if you shoot it at an interesting angle or with a compl. background, you can make the photo very appealing.

    I love that recipe, especially sun dried tomatoes. Those make everything taste better.

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  4. Luckily, we can all imagine how that meatloaf looked and tasted. It sounds like a winner!!

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  5. I've been eyeing this recipe in her cookbook, but haven't made it yet. Maybe I will this weekend! I also love her turkey meatballs with pancetta and sundried tomatoes...that's another really good one!

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  6. Oh goodie! I'm such a feta freak that this will be added to my growing list of recipes using feta cheese. Sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Haha, this post kind of made me giggle because I know exactly what your saying. Some food just isn't photogenic like meatloaf or scrambles, some salads too. They just look blah. This meatloaf has me quite intrigued. I don't like meatloaf as a rule (since early childhood, I was like that little kid in A Christmas Story) but I'm kinda thinking this one looks tasty... thanks for sharing.

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  8. Love that you used turkey for your meatloaf, this recipe is awesome!

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  9. This is a very unusual turkey meatloaf recipe. Love the feta, and sundried tomatoes filling. Also love your little turkey craft...cute!...and Giada, she's a Doll, and so talented, and entertaining. OK, no more excuses, we want to see the good, bad and ugly photos too...LOL. I think you must be such a perfectionist! Thanks for the great recipe!

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  10. As long as it tastes good, that's what I say!! Sounds delicious :D (p.s...if you like Giada, IHCC http://iheartcookingclubs.blogspot.com just started a 6-month long journey cooking with her. You should join in!! =)

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  11. This is a great sounding recipe and while I can appreciate beautiful Giada as a replacement I wish you would have posted your pictures after all! Some foods are just plain harder to shoot and many of us struggle with it. Sometimes we are our own worst judges though ;o)

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  12. Funny you posted this today because I have it in the oven right now! It's our favorite meatloaf ;)

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  13. Love meatloaf! Although Giada is pretty, I would have much rather seen your meatloaf. Shoot, have you seen some of my earlier photos on my blog? hehe and even some of my recipes are....pretty bad. So don't fret mama.

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  14. I know exactly what you mean, I can't photograph any meat the way I want to! This is a great recipe, love turkey meatloaf!

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  15. I agree, meatloaf really isn't pretty. I never thought about how unphotogenic it can be. If your stumped then there is no hope for me. Your photographs are amazing.

    Thank you for sharing how good the meatloaf is because I have no meatloaf recipes. And I really like meatloaf.

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  16. Your photography is inspiring to say the least!! You're always your worst critic- I am sure they look as lovely your others!!

    This meatloaf definitely sounds so good! I have yet to be brave enough to try ground turkey- am actually waiting for a meat grinder (i know excuses!). This recipe though is full of so many of my favorite flavors. Definitely on my list of things to try. I will use the feta with the Mediterranean herbs as you did, sounds yum!

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  17. It can be really difficult to get an image that's good enough. I find it espically challenging with warm food. Desserts are so much easier. The meatloaf sounds very delicious.

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  18. I doubt it was that bad! All of your photos are lovely. I do love the turkey project you saved it's adorable. I like how you posted anyway!
    -Gina-

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  19. Food photography is tricky. I think the angel is one of the most important keys. Although you wont show us your meatloaf but I know it tastes good! It's so comforting and good for any family members, dont you think? :D

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  20. I totally understand your feelings towards food fotography. I always loved taking pics but food photography is just more challenging and if sometimes I get great shots some others they are just terrible! I do think that yours are usually great though. It might just be that this meatloaf got to you :) Thanks for sharing the recipe with a very spontaneous post though :)

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  21. Yum, sounds delish! I know what you mean about some foods not cooperating for photos. Wait til you see my salmon tomorrow - definitely not my best work (photographically) but tasty!

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  22. My husband doesn't like turkey meatloaf, but I'm making this one, and hopefully he won't know the difference. If I tell him that it's Giada's recipe, he'll probably like it:) I know that I will.

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  23. This receipe looks delicious and definitely better than the packaged mix turkey meatloaf I threw together last night in a panic to get dinner on the table! Thanks for sharing...mmm!

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  24. I have never taken a pretty meatloaf shot so I know your pain! ;-) It certainly sounds delicious though. A great potluck pick!

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  25. I think sometimes we are too hard on ourselves when it comes to the pictures. In the end, it's all about the food and those of us who love food will always appreciate it for what it is. I am absolutely crazy about meatloaf and have thought about making this recipe several times. I'm so glad to know that you enjoy it enough to put it in a regular dinner rotation. Sounds like a winner of a recipe!

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  26. Photogenic or not that meatloaf sounds great - I think I've only ever made meatloaf once, but must be time to do it again and try this recipe.
    Sue :-)

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  27. Sounds delicious, wish you'd have let us get a peek at it.

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  28. Kim,
    I made the turkey meatloaf last night and he loved it! The meatloaf was so flavorful with the sun dried tomatoes and feta, and beautiful, as well.

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