Comfort in a loaf pan

I made a favorite dish of ours yesterday....meat loaf. Now, I am not one of those moms who has a signature meat loaf. Gardner will probably never be able to say, "That tastes like 'Mom's meat loaf.'" I probably have seven or eight rotating meat loaf recipes in my repertoire. I find that subtle changes in the mix of ingredients can make a different dish entirely....one we will never grow tired of (and to which our kids will never turn up their noses).

I give you a newly found favorite version....called, coincidentally, "Mom's Meat Loaf." It comes from the spectacular array of ingredients put out by Whole Foods Market. I think it's called this because it sneaks vegetables into something you can get your kids to eat. Now, our boy eats veggies because he loves them anyway....but this dish will suit any picky kids' (or adults') tastes.

Hot from the oven, warm even....even cold and sliced thinly for a meatloaf sandwich for the next day's lunch....this loaf is spectacular.

Mom's Meat Loaf

No offense to Mom, but our version of meat loaf is better for you. Extra-lean beef improves the fat and cholesterol levels, but a healthy amount of chopped vegetables—carrots, celery, and onion—and lycopene-rich tomato paste bring bonus nutrients to this family dish.

• 2 slices white bread, crumbled (I used bread crumbs...can also use wheat bread)
  
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 3/4 to 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (6 oz) no-salt-added tomato paste
• 1 egg white, slightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme (I added a dash of both oregano and basil, too)
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 81/2" x 41/2" loaf pan with foil.
2. In large bowl, combine bread and milk. Add beef, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, tomato paste, egg white, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Transfer to prepared pan and bake 25 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve hot, warm, or chilled. Serves 4-6.
   

(from the Whole Foods Market recipe collection.)