Turkey Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

Nothing says comfort like meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy on a cold rainy day. I make my meatloaf with ground turkey, but feel free to substitute ground beef. . . works just as well. You are going to see one major cheat in this recipe - the gravy, so I just want to put it up front that I do NOT make my own gravy with this recipe, I actually use serve-a-gravy brown gravy mix (sorry!!). There simply is not enough 'drippings' to make a good gravy, but later when we talk about roast chicken, we'll make it from scratch!

Meatloaf:

Ingredients:

•  2 lbs. lean ground turkey
• 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• Salt, pepper, oregano
• 1 small can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup

In a large bowl mix ground turkey, bread crumbs, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup grated cheese and salt, pepper and oregano to taste - about a 'pinch' of each. Plunge your hands in (need I remind you to wash them first?) and mix well. Mixture should be firm - and not too wet. If too wet, add more bread crumbs until the meatloaf mix is not 'eggy'. Once mixed, add half of the can of the Cream of Mushroom soup (right out of the can). Mix again and then form into a loaf - loaf can be oval or round, whatever floats your boat. Once meatloaf is formed, place in a shallow baking pan and cover (top only) with the remaining mushroom soup. Place in preheated oven (350) and let bake for about an hour and 15 minutes. Meatloaf is done when center is not pink.

Mashed Potatoes:

Ingredients:

• 12 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1 cup sour cream

Boil potatoes in a large pot for 25 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Place potatoes back in the pot, add milk, butter and sour cream and mash. I use an old-fashioned hand masher - you can also use an electric hand mixer or food processor. If potatoes are lumpy - add a little milk until desired consistency is reached.

Gravy: I already 'fessed up, follow the directions on the pack!

Dinner is ready! Filling and comforting - and very affordable! Save the extra for tomorrow's lunch. Enjoy.