Meatloaf with Mushrooms and Sundried Tomatoes

I'm gloating over a new discovery. As I indicated yesterday, we're in the midst of a pre-holiday slimdown around here and the South Beach regimen doesn't allow bread in any way shape or form. I was at a loss on what to do with the meatloaf on the menu for dinner last night until I had an epiphany of sorts. 

Extra-lean ground beef will almost guarantee a dry puck like meatloaf unless additional moisture and binders are added to it. Given bread crumbs are out of the question at the moment, I subbed chopped mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, and finely chopped onions instead. Extra herbs in the form of fresh basil, garlic and onion powder along with a smidge of white wine and a smatter of crumbled feta cheese and we were well on our way to the sublime.  In the interest of portion control I packed the ground yum into little 3/4 cup loaf pans and the result is what you see.

Moist, intensely flavored and really satisfying accompanied by a salad and some good for us veggies, it hardly felt like diet food at all. Uh, except for the ice water in the wine glass that is.    

Meatloaf with Mushrooms and Sundried Tomatoes (an original from JBug’s Kitchen Antics)

1 pound extra lean ground beef (or ground chicken or turkey)

4 sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped

1 cup finely chopped mushrooms

1/2 small onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

1 egg

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl gently mix all ingredients together. Pack into 6 muffin tins or 4 small loaf pans. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before unmolding. Makes 4 servings.  

 A year ago - Hungarian Hot Sausage and Lentil Soup

Two years ago - Rockin' Moroccan Stew

Comments

[pam (Sidewalk Shoes)]

Ice water in the wine glass. Are you sure wine's not good for your diet?!

[Lea Callais]

Good for you for thinking of the mushrooms to lighten up the mix - along with the veggies! Good Stuff - and Portion Control to boot!!! Nice all around! Go June Bug, Go!

[June]

Thanks for the encouragement. Right now I'd trade my first born for a glass of vino and a baked potato and it is only 5:00 AM LOL

[June]

Pam, one more week and it will be. I can't wait!

[Lorraine]

I love the addition of the feta. Makes the whole thing seem less diety.

[June]

Thanks Lorraine. Feta really was a nice addition and married well with the sun dried tomatoes.