A Successful Meatloaf

For those of you with extremely picky eaters, having them try a new food is difficult.  We are always positive about the food we are presenting.  I also try to compare it to something my son has eaten in the past and liked (or just not hated.)  I try presenting new things in fun ways whether the food itself or on special plates.  Unfortunately, I have also resorted to bribery (most of the time I can successfully bribe him if I let him drink from a bottle of water rather than a cup, but I have been known to throw down an occasional bunny graham if desperate.)  We also enforce that if he at least tries two whole pieces and still doesn't like it, he does not have to eat it.  I have had few successes.

On Saturday, I made a meatloaf.  Meatloaf is still somewhat new to me because I didn't enjoy it growing up and the first five years of my marriage were meat-free.  I just kinda threw some stuff together with my ground turkey and hoped for the best.  It came out of the oven an hour later and smelled good although it fell apart a bit (I can't use eggs too often because my daughter is sensitive to them.)

We sat down to eat.  My daughter will eat anything put in front of her and she devoured the pieces I gave her right away and went on to her peas and carrots.  My son said no.  He ate some of the peas and carrots and then decided he would not eat those either.  He ate some of his roll and decided he would not eat that either.  We told him how good the meatloaf was (not to toot my own horn, but it really was.)  Nothing.  We told him it was just like a hamburger.  Nope.  I broke out the bottled water.  Nada.  We reminded him that he only had to try it and if he really didn't like it I would get him something else.  Mouth clamped shut.  I busted out the bunny grahams.  Got his attention.  I picked up a piece on his fork and explained that if he ate that bite, he could have the cookie.  Surprisingly, his mouth accepted the food.  And he didn't spit it out.  He chewed it and swallowed it.  HE ASKED FOR MORE!!!!!!!!  He didn't even eat the cookie!  After he ate the serving I had put on his plate, HE ATE MORE!!!!  Sorry for all the capitals, but those that know what I am going through know this is huge!  A victory like this makes me want to go out and buy a lottery ticket!

So here is my recipe.  I am not a food professional so quantities may be off because I wasn't measuring everything. And I am obviously not a photographer or food stylist!

Successful Turkey Meatloaf

1 1/3 lbs ground turkey
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I make my own because of my daughters milk/ egg problem)
1/2 cup soy cheese (I used Cheddar flavor)
3 Tbsps Barbeque sauce
1 Tbsp Ketchup
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tsps Ranch Seasoning (I make my own, see above)

Preheat oven to 350.

Throw all the ingredients together and mix until combined.  Shape into a loaf and place in a glass baking dish.  I spread a small amount of ketchup on the top, mainly so that I could point out that there was ketchup on it, but that isn't necessary.

Bake for about an hour until your meat reaches the proper internal temperature.  Let the loaf rest for about 10 minutes before cutting.

Successful Turkey Meatloaf - Not the prettiest picture, but it is meatloaf.