Meat Loaf Florentine 

Total time: 80 minutes
     While this meat loaf is chock-a-block with vegetables it still retains the 'proper' meat loaf taste and texture.  We'll eat it for 2 meals - and there may be enough for a couple of great sandwiches as well. I actually used about 19oz (540gr) in this because I had some bits in the freezer to use up.

 Ingredients:

• 16oz (480gr) ground beef (mince) or beef and sausage mixed or turkey
• 1 medium onion,  about 1/2 cup finely chopped
• 2oz (60gr) mushrooms  about 3/4 cup finely chopped
• 1 carrot,  about 1/3 cup finely chopped
• 1 - 2 ribs celery,  about 1/3 cup finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 8oz (240gr) frozen spinach
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) red wine or beef stock
• 1/4 cup (2oz, 60ml) ketchup
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 2 tsp parsley
• 1 cup (8oz, 240ml) tomato sauce

 Instructions:

• Finely chop onion, carrot, celery, mushrooms and mince garlic.
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic and sauté until they start to get tender, onion will be transparent, about 8 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and frozen spinach; the heat from the skillet will thaw it.
• Cook spinach and vegetables, stirring frequently until spinach is just thawed and mixture is well combined.  There should be no visible liquid from the spinach.
• Remove and spread the vegetables on a plate to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl lightly beat eggs.
• Add crumbs, wine, ketchup, herbs and mix well. 
• Add meat and mix.
• Add about a third of the vegetables and mix (because the veg are hot we are adding them slowly). 
• Add another third, mix.
• Add remaining vegetables, mix well - at this point it's best to use your hand, kneading it like bread dough.
• Put into a baking pan large enough to hold it easily, with room all around, and shape into a loaf.
• Cover and bake at 400F (200C) for 45 minutes.
• Remove and pour tomato sauce over the top.
• Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes longer or until done.
• Remove, let rest 5 - 10 minutes. Slice and serve.

 

And the leftovers?  Sandwiches, of course....

Or just warm up in the leftover tomato sauce.