A Meatloaf Most Fowl

Lightening crackled and roared, stirring the plum colored curtains in the room our heroine was sneaking into, oh so quietly. She crept upon the massive table in the middle of the room, focusing on the unassuming dish sat squarely in the middle of the walnut table. She peered over at the dish, the thunder, lightening, and wildly whipping curtains at her back. Her scream pierced through the night, but she couldn’t help herself. It looked like meatloaf, it smelled like meatloaf, but it wasn’t; but it was! Was she going mad? It looked, oh God help her, it looked like meatloaf made out of turkey!!!!

A hoy-hoy and welcome back!! That’s right my murder mystery fans, we are going full murder mystery here! Well, kind of. I mean, I’ll be enthralling you with my childhood meatloaf that I still adore to this day. And yes, you read correctly, it is made with turkey instead of beef. Are you beginning to understand the fun title now? I grew up with this meatloaf, and had honestly not had meatloaf with beef until I was in college. I asked my mom where she had gotten the recipe, and her answer? The back of the ground turkey packaging! LOL. Similar to beef meatloaf, this has celery and onions, but that’s about it. This childhood recipe includes ground turkey, stuffing, and V8. Yes, V8. LOL. So, grab your favorite beverage and snack, snuggle up on your couch and let’s unwrap this delicious mystery together.

Can you or someone you know identify which isle in the grocery store the V8 is in? (I really hope my 80s/90s peeps got this). Before we dive into the full-blown investigation, lets go over what we know. What we do know about most “meatloaf” is that is an unctuous, juicy loaf of ground beef flavored with succulent onions, spices, and sometimes a squeeze of mustard and/or ketchup in the mixture. This mixture is then formed into a loaf pan and slathered with a sweet and savory combination of ketchup and brown sugar: the more the better if you ask me! Turkey meatloaf? To me, it is just as unctuous and juicy as it’s beefy brother, but in a lighter way. Yes, it is made with ground turkey, but there is also sautéed onions and celery, stuffing (that’s right, stuffing from Thanksgiving), and to top this off, a small can of V8 juice. 

This creates a hearty meal that fills you up but does not leave you feeling “heavy” or “gross” after eating it, thanks to the ground turkey. I also think that the use of V8 instead of heavy ketchup and brown sugar lends a lighter topping; much like a glaze instead of the heavy, gloopy topping of the beef meatloaf. However, I would like for you get your detective hat on, grab your pad of paper and pencil to write down your notes and observations, try this recipe and let me know you conclusions!

Lineup of Suspects (AKA Ingredients)

2 pounds ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

3/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup of butter

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/4 cup water (if needed)

1 cup cake tomato juice (V8)

1 box Cornbread stuffing 

NOTE: The Cornbread stuffing is important, it lends a sweetness to the overall meatloaf to offset the slight bitterness of the V8. The water, we will get to, you may or may not need it – but we will discuss that in this step 

I sat at my large, highly unorganized desk. Stacks of papers, files, pens and pencils strewn all across the surface. I sat in my creaky, old swivel chair with a cloud of cigarette smoke floating lazily around the small office. Smooth jazz quietly played in the background while I tried to work through two cases I had just completed, praying for an interruption when suddenly, my door opened, disturbing the smoke and the jazz. I looked up and attempted to hold back an appreciative look to the Viking god that had stepped across my threshold. He was tall, with broad shoulders (must have been in football), strong arms, golden blond hair, and best of all, bright blue eyes – dammit. I’ve always been a sucker for blue eyes. He walked across my tiny office and slapped a small piece of paper on top of all my crap. I arched an eyebrow and looked down: it was a recipe. A recipe for, what, did this say Turkey Meatloaf? Before I even thought about it I said,

“I’ll take the job.” 

Right?! Detective vibes?? Anyhoo, lets go through how to make this wonderful dish! 

Step One: Sauté onions and celery in butter. Before the veggies get too brown, I then add the water (I always add the water) and let them simmer in the water to help to soften them. 

Step Two: In one of two bowls, combine the veggies and water with stuffing and eggs. Mix well. 

Step Three: In the second bowl, add your ground turkey. Take half of the stuffing mixture and mix into the turkey. 

Step Four: Take half of the turkey/stuffing mixture into the bottom of a greased 2 quart loaf pan. Spread the other half of the stuffing on top of the turkey in the loaf pan. Then take the rest of the turkey/stuffing mixture and place on top of the stuffing.

NOTE: You are layering the ingredients: turkey, stuffing, turkey. 

Step Five: Pour V8 over the top of the loaf. Cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and bake for another 30-40 minutes, or until the center is hot. 

Step Six: Take out once done and let sit for 20 minutes to set up and cool. Make mashed potatoes and green beans – enjoy!! 

“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” – Sherlock Holmes by Sir Author Conan Doyle 

The truth to this recipe is that is it truly worth a try. I grew up with this as my meatloaf and I still make it. It is comfort, warmth, and home. I hope you give this recipe from my kitchen a try, and end up loving it as much as my family and I do! Also, make sure to make super creamy and buttery mashed potatoes to go with it! It is the perfect warm your tummy and soul meal!!