Mmm mmmm....Meatloaf, lightened up!

Let's talk a quintessential comfort food: Meatloaf. 

The concept brings to the table usually only two types of people...those who love it and those who loathe it. In my anecdotal experience, there isn't much room for in between when it comes to this Sunday dinner staple. This version of it incorporates a couple surprise veggies to lighten the calorie load and contribute to that important daily vegetable intake. 

Obviously since I'm writing about it and about to share a thrown together recipe with you, you have already guessed that I'm a meatloaf lover. Perhaps it's the memory of having it with the family at dinner as a child. Perhaps it's the delicious way with it that Edna's Restaurant in Chatsworth has. They serve it only on Tuesdays, by the way. Whatever it is that elicits fond memories, I sure do enjoy it and I hope you'll enjoy my version of it that I'm sharing here!


Six servings

Preheat oven to 350░

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
• 1/3 green bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 1 zucchini, shredded and squeezed dry in paper towels
• 1 egg
• 6 ounces prepared bread crumbs (store bought, in canister)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup canned tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, or marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 1.5 Tablespoons hamburger grill seasoning
• Couple pinches of salt

1. Mix onion, bell pepper, carrot, zucchini, garlic, tomato product, salt, hamburger seasoning and salt in large bowl. 
2. Add ground beef and egg. Mix thoroughly. Go ahead and use your hands. It's just not the same if you don't!
3. Once those ingredients are combined, mix in the bread crumbs a couple ounces at a time. It takes a little smooshing around to get them all absorbed, but it will happen. Again, hands are the best tools for this job. 
4. Shape into loaf on broiler pan. This will allow the grease to drain off during cooking, and allow it to cook more quickly than a loaf pan. 

Bake for about 35 minutes. While it is baking, make the glaze. Stir the following ingredients in a small bowl:

• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 3-4 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 
• A few grinds of black pepper

Remove from oven and spoon the glaze over the meat, covering as much of the top and sides as possible. Return to the oven and bake for another 35 minutes. Allow meatloaf to rest for 7-10 minutes before slicing. 

Serve with your favorite mashed potatoes, green beans, or green peas, and fluffy yeast rolls to round out your comfort food meal.