Bad Meatloaf...

Shuutnstar

Hey Everybody,

I need a pep talk! I had a bad night last night... and by bad, I don't mean that I ate too much meatloaf... I mean, I worked really hard to make a good, more healthy meatloaf and I failed. I failed desparately. I am so not a cook. I mean, I have my staples which I can make with my eyes closed, but they definitley aren't healthy choices, so I have been trying to expand my knowledge base and trying to try new recipes.

I made a turkey meatloaf last night with veggies. It came out soft enough, nice firm crust, smelled WONDERFUL, cooked to the correct temp and everything... but It was extremely dry inside and... just YUCK! Neither myself or my honey could eat it without gagging.

I don't know exactly what I did wrong... but it was so discouraging! I actually started crying during dinner, and my poor boyfriend was like, "it's really... ::gag::... not bad." and he forced himself to eat a few more bites. Isn't he just the sweetest?

Because it took soooo long to prep and then to cook... it was too late to eat, and I was feeling to bad to eat anyway. So I had a tbslp of peanut better and went to bed.

Sorry for needing to vent, but has anyone else gone through this emotional upheaval? I have lost 9 pounds now and was so pysched all this week, but I haven't been COOKING. We've only been eating grilled this, or grilled that... and he is the grill master... not me. I feel like I am not contributing anymore and that kills me.

Any advice, comments, support would be greatly appreciated.

Ileanak

Oh my goodness, dear! Big virtual hug, coming your way!

Ok, I think the best way to help you solve this problem, is to post your recipe and instructions on the cooking method you used. I have done meatloaves in the past and not had the problem. It also depends on what criteria you are using as "healthy". Low fat, low carb, low sodium? All of the above?

Wecandothis

I've been through that episode. I too have never been a cook. I hated to cook. But then I started this adventure and really it was the only choice I had. I am faced with cooking something for both myself and a 13 year old that is healthy and that she will eat.

But you can do this! If I can, so can you.

I do a lot of what I call stir fry. Start with browning meat in the pan - like Chicken breast is my favorite, or you can use lean pork or beef. Brown it nice with some extra virgin olive oil. Then start throwing lots of veggies in the pan - I've been using zuchini, tomatoes, garlic, lots of onions. I use a lot of lemon pepper the kind without the salt. You can experiment with other spices too, just start slow.

Using different veggies and meat you can really change things up.

There are also some really good sites out there on the web with healthy recipies. You can use them as a base to start with, and sooner than you believe you will be whipping up your own stuff right out of your head.

Don't give up. It's not as difficult as you've probably been telling yourself over the years. As you learn you will end up with some dinners like you had last night - I sure did! But that's okay. We laughed and just moved on.

Good for you for trying! You can do this, I know it!

Also check out the recipe section of the forums, I got a LOT of ideas there!

Phoenix_Rising

From one non-cook to another, (((HUGS)))



I guess I'm lucky enough to hate meatloaf so I've never made one, but I've made plenty of other dishes that turned out awful!!

I'd say try again sweetie. Maybe make smaller batches and try them out. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

KristyO

This is a really good Turkey Meatloaf recipe off the South Beach Diet. The beans and onions make it less dry. Still not juicy like beef (can't have it all!) but I really enjoy it. I would try picking up a magazine from your local health food store...there are usually lots of good recipes in Vegan, Vegetarian and Clean Eating magazines.

Home-style Turkey Meatloaf With Mushrooms and White Beans
On those summer nights when you're not relying on the grill, treat your family to a simple yet scrumptious entrée that will delight the taste buds of even the pickiest eaters.

Home-style Turkey Meatloaf With Mushrooms and White Beans (Phase 1)

Serves 6

Description
This healthy alternative to typical meatloaf adds white beans for a delicious high-fiber twist. Serve extra Dijon mustard on the side; it lends a satisfying, piquant flavor element.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 75 minutes

Ingredients
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 pound mushrooms, trimmed and chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-ounce) can great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/4 pounds extra-lean ground turkey
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped parsley
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard plus extra for serving

Instructions
Heat the oven to 375° F. Lightly coat an 8- by 4- by 2 1/2 –inch metal or glass loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, thyme, cayenne, paprika, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and mushrooms are incorporated, about 5 minutes longer. Add beans and stir to combine. Transfer mixture to a bowl and let cool, about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine cooled bean mixture, turkey, eggs, parsley, and 2 teaspoons of the Worcestershire sauce. Mix well with wet hands to combine. Form into a loaf and place into the prepared pan.

Stir together mustard and remaining 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce and set aside.

Bake meatloaf on the middle rack of the oven for 50 minutes.

Remove from the oven and brush with the reserved Worcestershire mixture. Return to the oven and continue baking 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until a thermometer inserted into meatloaf registers 170 ° F. Let meatloaf stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional Dijon mustard.

Nutritional Information
205 calories
5 g fat (1 g saturated fat)
15 g carbohydrate
30 g protein
4 g fiber
549 mg sodium



This recipe is from Dr. Agatston's new book, The South Beach Diet Supercharged. For more information, click here.

jlefton1212

I have TOTALLY been in this situation!

I found a recipe on cooking light that was for a healthier version of chicken tetrazinni. I slaved over it for literally 3 hours, and then it tasted like noodles with cream of mushroom soup. It was so bland -- and my husband HATES cream of mushroom soup! He tried to be nice, but it was a disaster.

Also, once I had a rachel ray recipe that had a misprint. It was for a turkey shepards pie with sweet potato on top. She said her secret ingredient was to add banana to the sweet potato. I made it and the sweet potatoes tasted like banana candy...on top of ground turkey. It was so sad, because I had made a really beautiful gravy for the turkey part, but it all just got thrown out because it was so gross. I later saw that my recipe called for 1 banana, but in her magazine the same recipe said 1/3 of a banana.

Those incidents shook my confidence in the kitchen, but I am not going to eat only processed food for the rest of my life, so I told myself I just had to get back up on my horse and keep trying! I have found that it can be really important to read the recipe reviews BEFORE hand, as I always just assumed that if was posted on a cooking website it must have been tried out and fabulous. Well, if I would have just read the reviews for the tetrazinni, I would have seen that people were saying it was bland and tasted like a can of campbell's cream of mushroom!! :laugh:

allizamora

:flowerforyou: