Recipe Number 1 – Turkey,Thyme & Leek Meatloaf.

This recipe comes from 101 More Low-Fat Recipes  - BBC Good Food.

                    Ingredients

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 4 large leeks – sliced
• 500g minced turkey
• 2 thyme sprigs – leaves only.
• 85g breadcrumbs
• 1 egg – beaten
• 2 rashers lean back bacon – fat trimmed – chopped.

Method

1. 
   
   While the oven is preheating to Gas Mark 7 [220C], soften the leeks in a frying pan for 5 minutes with the oil.
2. 
   
   Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. [The recipe suggests a 28x18cm tray but all I could find was a 23cm square tray, as the area was around the same I opted for this.]
3. 
   
   Mix the mince,thyme,leeks,egg and about two-thirds of the breadcrumbs together with a little seasoning. [Bearing in mind the blood pressure situation I just used a little black pepper and NO salt].
4. 
   
   Add this mixture to the baking tray and press down firmly and then use a fork to ruffle the surface. Mix the remaining breadcrumbs together with the chopped bacon and spread over the top.
5. 
   
   Cook for about 15 minutes, then finish under the grill until the surface is crisp and golden. [This is probably a good point to mention that the greaseproof paper really ought to be trimmed back or else when you place it under the grill it may catch fire – yes it did!]
6. 
   
   I served it simply with new potatoes and some [frozen!] mixed veg.  

Although I though that the meatloaf looked a little dry it wasn’t in the slightest. It  tasted very good with the flavour of the thyme and leeks coming through well. Sylvia loved it and so did Victoria who happened to be passing when I was cooking. Poppy gave it a thumbs-up although she did remove the leeks prior to eating and Joey said “Yea”!!
All-in-all a good recipe to start with, if this is eating the low-fat way, long may it continue.