White Trash Tuesday

Not really... Um, well maybe sort of. Two words - Taco Meatloaf.
This is not really a "classy" recipe, but it is so darn good! I've passed it along to a few friends who either don't like meatloaf themselves or have kids who don't and it still gets good marks because hello, who doesn't like Mexican?? Anyway it is very healthy using the turkey and 2% cheese (please don't try to go "no-fat", that stuff is wretched and fake). I served it with a rice dish made up of stuff I had on hand and it was an excellent meal.

Taco Meatloaf

• 1lb ground turkey
• 4 taco shells, crushed (I use these because they aren't salty and they are CHEAP, the taco seasoning is salty enough, so I think that fritos or corn chips might make it too salty unless they are left over freebies from a Mexican restaurant - hmmm, this has me thinking now, but I digress)
• 1 pkg taco seasoning
• Minced onion to taste (I just used the dried, who wants to chop a whole onion for this?)
• Garlic powder to taste
• 1 can Rotel (drained)
• Grated cheddar cheese (I probably used about a cup in the meatloaf because we like cheese, and then probably half a cup over the top)
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• Taco sauce
  

Combine all ingredients and spread in a lightly greased pan or dish (I don't use a loaf pan, I prefer an 8x8). Bake for 60-70 minutes at 350. Before it was completely done, I spread a little taco sauce over the top and sprinkled with more shredded cheese.

Mexican Black Beans & Rice

OK, so this was made purely out of stuff I had on hand that I thought might work together (so by all means, play around) but it was PERFECT with the meatloaf and a salad.

• 1 cup uncooked rice (brown is healthier, so it's what I had on hand and it was quite good)
• 2 cups chicken broth (I just like rice cooked in broth better than water and I ALWAYS have chicken broth on hand because I use it in everything)
• 1 tbs Cumin
• 2 tsp dried minced onion

Cook Rice according to directions, and about about halfway through add...

• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained (I'm sure Mexicorn would be even better)
• 1 can black beans drained
• 2 tbs black bean salsa (I love the Sam's brand of this, so again "on hand", but any of it would work, or just use a bit of the taco sauce from above)

White trash as may be we love it and it's inexpensive, quick, easy, good and suprisingly healthy. My trailer just caught fire though, and my old camaro is up on blocks so I need to go...

Next week, Spam Surprise!! Just kidding ;-)