Archives for June 2011

turkey meatloaf

This turkey meatloaf was so super flavorful. I gave my own spin to it and added carrots and goat cheese. Incredible!

Here’s the recipe if you want to give it a try. It’s a sure winner.

Ingredients:

1 large onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon of olive oil
3 small carrots, cut into circles
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon ketchup
1 cup fresh bread crumbs (about 1.5/2 slices of Whole Foods oat nut bread)
1/3 cup 1% milk
1 whole large egg, lightly beaten
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1.5 pounds ground turkey
3 oz. goat cheese (I used garlic and herb!)

Directions (adapted from epicurious.com):

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cook onion and garlic in oil in a skillet over moderate heat. Stir til onion is softened (about 2 mins)

Add carrots, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook, stirring 3 more minutes until softened

Stir in Worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoons ketchup, then transfer vegetables to a large bowl to cool

Next, stir together bread crumbs and milk in a small bowl and let stand for 5 mins.
Stir in eggs to bread and milk mixture, then add to vegetables.

Last, add Turkey and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to vegetable mixture and mix well with your hands. Get real good and messy here kids, this is super gooey stuff.

Here’s where I threw in the goat cheese. I’m OBSESSED with goat cheese and could (and would) eat it with a spoon. Yum yum yummm.

Form the mixture into a baking pan (a bread pan will do fine, I used a small glass baking dish from good ol’ Ikea that worked well) and brush or squeeze on the remaining 2 tablespoons of ketchup.

Bake in middle of oven, 50-55 minutes or until done.

Let meatloaf stand for 5 minutes before serving, then ENJOY!!

I served mine up with a side of buttered carrots I picked up from the Copley Farmers Market and a glass of pink lemonade. Oh so refreshing after having the oven on to bake the meatloaf! It was hot for summer, but definitely worth it. And the lemonade made it all the better. Happy eating!

kitchen inspiration

I think one of my favorite rooms in a home (or apartment) is the kitchen. I love how people always gather there to make meals, to talk over vegetables boiling and a glass of cold milk. Eating crackers and cheese before dinner, and brownies and ice cream for dessert. There’s something about the kitchen that makes a home a home.

Right now, I don’t know what my future kitchen will look like, but I do have some ideas for what pleases my eye. One thing I know is that I would love a lot of light and soft colors. I’d like to mix patterns and prints in my dishes and bowls. And collect things that are functional and sturdy, yet pretty too.

Here are some ideas I love: one. two. three. four. five.

Tuesday

Another Tuesday here in Boston means I’m headed to the Copley Farmers Market this afternoon. Tuesday is usually my least favorite day of the week, but in summer Tuesday brings a whole new meaning.

Tuesday means fresh chocolate chip banana bread. My favorite.

Tuesday means delicious red strawberries. Tastes like summer.

Tuesday means fresh flowers. I wonder what I will find today?

Tuesday means strolling through my favorite part of Boston.

Tuesday means fresh veggies and wonderful smelling herbs.

Tuesday means pastries. So sweet and satisfying.

Tuesday is a good day in summer.

Tuesday means happiness.

(photo)

lobster diving

Yesterday we took a drive up to Rockport so that Zan and his brother could go lobster diving. Yes, they actually put on wet suits, and dive down into the water to catch lobsters with their bare hands. They get a diving license every year and probably catch around 15-25 lobsters in a given summer.

It’s pretty sweet!

I like to go up to the beach with them on these days, to just sit in the sand with my book and enjoy the peace and quiet. They often go diving in a cove that’s off the beaten path of the popular beaches.

To be up in Rockport is a true sign that summer is here. Let’s savor it while we can.