Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey Meatloaf

• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• 1 medium carrot, cut into 1/8-inch dice

• 3/4 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed and very finely chopped in a food processor

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon ketchup

• 1 cup fine fresh bread crumbs (from 2 slices firm white sandwich bread)

• 1/3 cup 1% milk

• 1 whole large egg, lightly beaten

• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten

• 1 1/4 pound ground turkey (mix of dark and light meat)

• Accompaniment:roasted red pepper tomato sauce or ketchup

• Special equipment: a meat thermometer or an instant-read thermometer

Lisa’s note: When I haven't had Worcestershire sauce on hand, I've replaced it with a mixture of equal parts soy sauce, vinegar (I used balsamic), a little bit of crushed garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you happen to have steak sauce on hand that should also be a reasonable substitute. I usually don't bother with the fresh parsley, and instead of using a food processor I just chop things by hand.

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Cook onion and garlic in oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until onion is softened, about 2 minutes. Add carrot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated and they are very tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, parsley, and 3 tablespoons ketchup, then transfer vegetables to a large bowl and cool.

Stir together bread crumbs and milk in a small bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in egg and egg white, then add to vegetables. Add turkey and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to vegetable mixture and mix well with your hands. (Mixture will be very moist.)

Form into a 9- by 5-inch oval loaf in a lightly oiled 13- by 9- by 2-inch metal baking pan and brush meatloaf evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons ketchup. Bake in middle of oven until thermometer inserted into meatloaf registers 170°F, 50 to 55 minutes.

Let meatloaf stand 5 minutes before serving.