MEATLOAF-turkey style.

now my family is a fan of my fat and juicy meatloaf with bacon.
a variation I am going to try, that I have never cooked before, is a leaner version.
stay tuned at the bottom of this posting for details on how to freeze and store this meal for cooking another time!
YOU WILL NEED:
-2 lbs ground turkey or chicken (replacing the ground beef)
-1 half package of turkey bacon (replacing the traditional bacon)
*(if you buy a one pound package of sliced turkey bacon, slice or cut it in half down the center and freeze each half separately.)
-2 egg whites (replacing 1-2 whole eggs)
-3/4 cup bread crumbs
-1/2 cup of ketchup or spaghetti sauce.
-dash of salt and pepper to taste.
OPTIONAL: chopped celery, onions and a crushed garlic clove.
(if using the listed optional veggies, fry them up in some olive oil to soften them before adding them to your mixture.)
DIRECTIONS: 
in a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients until mixed thoroughly.
preheat oven to 350 degrees.
in a 13x9 pan you can shape you mixture into a log in the center of the pan, or you may squish it flat to cover the entire bottom. after you have shaped your mix, spoon your sauce or ketchup onto the top and rub it with a spoon to make a thin layer, using just enough to cover your meat mixture.
taking your turkey bacon lay slices of the bacon over your meat mixture, lining up the edges but not overlapping.
cook on 350 for about 60 minutes. meatloaf will shrink and brown. to make sure it is done you may cut a slice out of the center to check that it is cooked full through, or insert a thermometer in the center which should reach 160.
remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes, remove from pan or slice onto serving tray and serve.


I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING TIPS, PHOTOS, AND FEEDBACK ABOUT THIS RECIPE ONCE I HAVE MADE IT. CHECK BACK SOON!!

this meal works as a FREEZE AND STORE:
prepare and mix all above ingredients as stated above. Seal and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. to cook, remove from freezer 24hrs in advance and move to fridge to thaw, follow above cooking steps. DO NOT cook while frozen.

*******************************
shopping list memo: 2lbs turkey breast, sauce, breadcrumbs, turkey bacon, salt, pepper, celery, onions, garlic, 2 bags for the bacon halfs, 1 freezer bag for prepared meatloaf if making in advance. one 13x9 pan.