An Improved Meatloaf

Guys, meatloaf without tomatoes is a real challenge. I had to think pretty hard about how to add flavor to this one. All I want to do is slather it in ketchup...

But we had a major success -- MUSHROOMS! Mushrooms have passed the Julia test! So into the meatloaf they went, and they added some real flavor. For moisture and nutritional benefit, so did two zucchini. But lovely mushrooms - they're going to go in a lot more dinners now. It even means we could do chicken marsala again!

A note on breadcrumbs: if you can find a safe brand that you like, great. If you're having trouble, welcome to the club. Here are your options:

• Run slices of safe bread through the food processor (doesn't work well for breading chicken, sadly; it's too soggy. Maybe if you toasted it? With all your free time?)
• Run crackers through
• Run breakfast cereal through

I've had luck with Rice Chex style cereal. All you do is process it or smash it in a ziploc bag,and then add seasonings to make it taste like breadcrumbs -- salt and pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, and maybe even onion powder. If you can dairy, you could even add parm.

I tried that maple apricot glaze again. More was needed! It wasn't attractive, but it was definitely tasty.

Meaty Loaf

3lbs ground meat (I like turkey)
2 zucchini
8oz mushrooms
3/4 cup breadcrumbs (about one slice of bread's worth)
handful parsley
2 eggs
s&p
onion powder
thyme

Maple Apricot Glaze
1/2 cup apricot jam
1-2 Tbsp maple syrup

For the meatloaf:
Oven to 325. Line a baking sheet with foil and parchment.
Process the zucchini, mushrooms, and parsley in the food processor. Mix them with the eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. I eyeballed the seasonings and then wished I had used more, so, to your taste. Add the meat and mix well. Spread it all out on the baking sheet and shape into a loafy shape. Make the glaze:

Spoon the jam into a microwave-safe cup. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until melted. Stir in maple syrup. Pour and spread over meatloaf

Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Lots of leftovers. John likes to add bbq sauce to his; I like to think of ketchup.