Kids Gobble up Turkey Meat Loaf

Meatloaf made with ground turkey breast is very low in fat. But if not handled properly, you'll be serving something akin to a hockey puck. To keep the moisture in, I use fresh bread soaked in milk. Grated apples are added for texture and honey, a natural humectant, retains moisture. A humectant is a moisturizing agent that promotes moisture retention so it's the perfect addition to this recipe. (Did you know that honey also makes a great facial? Just pat honey on your face, let rest for 10 minutes then rinse off.) When mixing together the ingredients for meat loaf, there is always a chance that the kids will discover something that they don't like. I pretty much can tell what those things might be for my kids and leave them out. Since the meat loaf is actually cooked in individual custard cups, there are lots of opportunities for customizing. The most basic meatloaf includes turkey, bread, apple, and honey. I start with the ingredients that everyone likes then make the meat loaves for the kids. Then I add the other ingredients to the adult's variation. Since I want everything chopped as finely as possible, I use a food processor to make short work of it.

Honey Apple Turkey Meat Loaf
Time to table: 35 minutes
Serves 3 children and 3 adults

2 slices whole wheat or white bread
1/2 cup non-fat milk
1 pound ground turkey breast
1 medium tart apple, peeled, cored and grated
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup grated onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery ribs, minced

Grown-Ups
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Children
Optional garnish: ketchup

Break the bread into small pieces in the bottom of a mixing bowl and stir in the milk. Mash with a fork. Add the turkey, apple, honey, onion, garlic, and celery. Mix together until well blended. Pack half of the mixture into 3 8-ounce custard cups or ramekins. Stir the Dijon mustard, thyme, and black pepper into the remaining meat loaf mixture. Pack into 3 more custard cups. Place the custard cups in the microwave. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and microwave at full power for 10 minutes or until cooked through. To serve, run a knife around the rim of the custard cups. Invert on individual plates and unmold. Top the children's meat loaf with ketchup if desired.

Grown-Ups
Calories 290; Calories from fat 30; Total fat 3.5g; Saturated fat 0.5g;
Cholesterol 105mg; Sodium 590mg; Carbohydrate 19g; Dietary fiber 3g; Sugars
8g; Protein 46g

Children
Calories 290; Calories from fat 20; Total fat 2g; Saturated fat 0.5g;
Cholesterol 105mg; Sodium 390mg; Carbohydrate 21g; Dietary fiber 3g; Sugars
10g; Protein 45g

Kristene Fortier lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two children. If you have a tip you would like to share, she can be reached at hgourmet@aol.com or 650-595-0439. Visit the healthy Kitchen at http://www.healthykitchen.com for more recipes. Call1-800-852-4890 to order "The Whole Family Cookbook, Two-Tiered Meals to Please Both Parents and Kids."

Save 20% on your copy of The Whole Family Cookbook: Two-Tiered Meals to Please Both Parents and Kids, by Kristene Fortier, ($14.95 Birch Lane Press) by calling 800-857-5600. You must request the discount when orders are placed.

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