work with what ya got

I often get ideas for things to cook up and don't have all the "necessary" ingredients. Don't get discouraged from making different dishes just because you're missing one or two ingredients. Take a look in the pantry or refrigerator and "think outside the box".

For example, my friend mentioned she was making turkey meatloaf for dinner...which of course got me wanting turkey meatloaf. I happened to have some ground turkey breast from the farmers' market, but no breadcrumbs or panko. I found some wheat germ "hidden" in the back of the refrigerator and gave it a try. It worked quite well! A rough recipe below...

TURKEY MEATLOAF WITH VEGGIES (served with a side salad of beets, cucumber and romaine)

INGREDIENTS:
1lb ground turkey breast
1/2 cup sautéed minced vegetables (onion, garlic, red bell pepper, baby bellas) - cooled
1 egg, beaten
1-2 tbsp wheat germ (or panko)
a dash of vegan worcestershire sauce (it's what I had, regular will work fine)
pizza sauce, tomato sauce, salsa or ketchup for your topping

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, folding them together with a spatula or your hands.
​Don't over mix, just until everything is all incorporated.
Fold your meatloaf mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Form into a loaf,
about 1.5" thick.
Brush with your topping of choice. I happened to have some pizza sauce on hand
so used that and it turned out quite well.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until cooked through and slightly browned on top.